The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
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Kingussie’s captain Robert Mabon collected the Mowi Premiership trophy from Camanachd Association chieftain Jock Turner on Saturday – then set his sights on his young team retaining it.
Their first title triumph in 10 years ended in defeat when they lost 1-0 at Kyles Athletic – only their second league loss of the season – but collecting their championship medals has fired the Kings kids with fresh ambition.
Mabon said: “This medal is precious to me but I’m very hopeful it won’t be my last.
“We’ll still be the youngest squad in the Premiership when the new season begins in March – and we all want to taste more success.
“Being such a young team, everyone is so close and after winning the Macaulay Cup and the Premiership, we feel we’re far from finished as far as honours are concerned. Certainly, the ability is there to do so.”
Robert, a 22-year-old service technician, added: “Having jumped from sixth place last year to title winners, the spotlight will be on us next season but we’ll make no wild predictions and adopt the same approach of taking each game as it comes and seeing where that takes us.
“I felt a key moment this year was when we drew 1-1 with Lochaber in our opening league game then found ourselves 2-0 down against Lovat. But we battled back to grab a 2-2 draw and, looking back, that proved a bigger turning point than we realised at the time.
“We just kicked on from there and the whole team went on to gain the consistency and momentum which has served us so well.”
Kings have become surprise champions with five teenagers – Kieran MacPherson, Liam Borthwick, Rory MacEachan, Alex Michie and Ruaridh Anderson – and the rest all 24 and under apart from Fraser Munro, Lee Bain and James Hutchison.
Colin MacDonald’s fifth minute goal separated the teams and lifted Kyles up to third place, two points behind Lovat but with two home games remaining, against Newtonmore on Saturday week and Kilmallie on November 16.
Kingussie’s only other league defeat was 3-0 to Lovat on April 27, since when they have been models of consistency, playing with fire and flair. They have finished with 52 goals – 18 more than last season.
Manager John Gibson said: “We’re delighted at a silverware end to the season – this group have shown such commitment and richly deserve their medals.
“It was a pity our final game was so scrappy on a heavy, wet pitch. The goal we lost was something of a freak.
“The ball popped up in the air and MacDonald’s stick rose with that of our defender – and it actually looped into the net off the Kingussie stick.
“But we came home with a trophy we last won when half our team were still in primary school.”