Revenge is sweet as shinty returns home

KINGUSSIE...3, OBAN CAMANACHD...0

THE 92nd Camanachd Cup final nearly never happened. But the Badenoch Monsoon which threatened the well-being of the BlueRibbon of shinty was happilydiverted by amazing efforts from the Kingussie ground staff.

So in a festive atmosphere at The Dell, where Kingussie had never lifted the great cup, proceedings commenced at the allotted hour in front of a huge crowd. A third consecutive Grand Slam beckoned for Kingussie whose last defeat was at the hands of theiropponents, Oban Camanachd, three years ago to the hour. The Gordon MacIntyre winner at The Bught in Inverness that day is of course richly chronicled in the tapestry of the sport. MacIntyre, playing in the number 11 jersey, was making his valedictory appearance for Oban. Both the jersey and his side's cup aspirations were to be seriously drenched before the afternoon was out! It was, truth to tell, a game characterised by a physical confrontation of a nature very close to the unacceptable. Fierce and fiery, the clashes throughout spoke of arivalry which had perhaps become too personalised over recent years. That Kingussie once more celebrated their status as undisputed masters of the Scottish circuit in a victory by three goals to nil, sayslittle of their recovery from early misfortune or of the cruel fates which conspired against Oban. The early minutes suggested that Kingussie - notoriously slow starters - were to be at the receiving end of a grinding series of Obanassaults which culminated in a clash between their temperamental full forward Neil Ross and Kingussie keeper Andrew Borthwick. Seven minutes were on the clock and the nature of the injury to Borthwick's knee, medial ligament damage - meant he would leave the field a few minutes later. Carrying no reserve keeper Kingussie pressed into service their outfield defender Willie John Fraser who was to perform competently. But at this point Oban thought they had a serious chance with the brilliant Fraser Inglis, man of the match, and Dougie MacIntyre launching numerous dangerous long balls into the penalty zone. Of Kingussie's attack there was little to be seen. That is until 22 minutes when, from a Michael Clark hit-in, and the merest half chance, the inevitable. Ronald Ross not only opened the scoring but gave his side the composure they so badly lacked. Five minutes later, and still against the run of play, Ally Borthwick's pace and determination allowed him to chip in a second from an even more acute angle and the writing was on the wall. Kingussie's third goal came from their third chance 10 minutes later when Ally Borthwick's pass found an unmarked Barry Dallas who crashed an unsaveable shot into the back of goal. Oban though were not found wanting in spirit although lesser teams might have called it a day. Unfortunately, too much spirit and hot blood was coursing through the vein of Neil Ross -formerly of Newtonmore whose legendary rival with Kingussie is taken with the baby's milk. It was he who ended his side's slim hopes on the stroke of half time when the red mist gave way to a red card from referee JohnHenderson. There were no goals in thesecond half which Kingussie,unsurprisingly, controlled. The contact was still as keen; the vigour of Dougie MacIntyre and the subtlety of Fraser Inglis creating precious few opportunities in their clash with the senior Borthwicks, Stephen and David. They along with Ally Dallas dully collected their 10th cup-winning medals in the rain, Jimmy Gow the Kingussie coached announced his retirement and David Anderson looked pensive on the touchline. It will be no surprise if theformer Scotland captain takes on the Kingussie coaching mantel. This will not be good news for those who come to The Dell with hope in their hearts and victory on their minds. Kingussie: A Borthwick, S Borthwick, R Fraser (captain), V Borthwick, I Borthwick, A Dallas, E Grant, M Clark, B Dallas, Ally Borthwick, R Ross, K Thain. Substitutes: J Hutchison, M Genini, W J Fraser. Oban: J MacGregor, A MacVicar (captain) G Evans, N MacInnes, D Morrison, I Hay, D MacIntyre, S Inglis, D Devine, D MacCuish, G MacIntyre, N Ross. Substitutes: D MacIntyre, A Pearson.

Copyright 1999
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