Shinty cup encounter was a sporting joy to behold

I would like to reflect on a truly wonderful game of shinty at An Aird on Saturday July 28.

The shinty communities of Kilmallie and Newtonmore came to do battle for a place in the final of our main national knock-out competition, the Camanachd Cup, in front of a good crowd and on a perfect pitch.

Bright sunshine was coming and going, highlighting the beauty all around Fort William and the majesty of Ben Nevis. The scene was set for a great game.

What followed was the best game of shinty I have seen in a long time. The standard of play from both sides was a joy. Kilmallie clearly had

the better of the first half and instead of being a goal down at half-time, they should have been two or three up. The same high standard was maintained throughout the second half. Kilmallie deservedly equalised and took the game to extra time and the drama of penalties.

Well done to Newtonmore, who will go through to the cup final, but there were no losers on Saturday – playing like this, Kilmallie will be in the final again soon.

You may ask why I write as there was a full report in your pages last week. Well, it was in my reflections on this great match that, in the end, what really shone through most of all was the great spirit of sportsmanship and community. No quarter was asked or given. The skills remained high to the end and crunching tackles were refereed without childish behaviour – it was men against men.

The emotions of delight and dejection at the end were tangible as both sets of players had given their all.

In the support were legends of the game, families, youngsters from various local clubs and many members of the thriving women’s game – all enjoying this occasion. Shinty was the clear winner.

Well done Kilmallie – you were a credit to your community and made many people very proud. It was a privilege to watch and be reminded of the joy of shinty, the strength of our Highland community and the beauty of the land in which we work, play and love living. Thank you.

Finlay Finlayson, 2 Farrow Drive, Corpach.