Shinty - Inverness set to host most famous cup final in the sport as Kingussie take on Newtonmore at Bught Park
INVERNESS will play host to the most famous prize in shinty as the Camanachd Cup final takes place at Bught Park on Saturday.
Heavyweights Kingussie and Newtonmore will contest for the sport’s most iconic trophy as a huge crowd is expected at the final with throw-up at 2:05pm.
It will be the first time the final will be held at Bught Park since its £9.6 million refurbishment and preservation of the grandstand which was officially opened last month.
Bught Park has now become home of the Camanachd Association while providing space for a museum of shinty.
The Camanachd Cup is one of Scotland’s oldest and most iconic sporting trophies and this year’s final will see holders Kingussie aim to defend their crown against neighbours Newtonmore.
Newtonmore will be appearing in the final for the 54th time and will be looking to extend their record 34 victories. However, it has been six years since they last lifted the trophy, when they beat Oban Camanachd 5-1 in the 2019 final.
Newtonmore captain Craig Ritchie says six years is a long time for their club to have won the tournament, and they will look to put an end to that on Saturday.
He said: “It’s been far too long since Newtonmore were last in the Camanachd Cup Final so the whole community is looking forward to Saturday.
“We know Kingussie are a strong team, but we have a talented squad too and I know everyone is relishing the chance to play in another final.
“We have been training well over the past few weeks, and Saturday was a good warm up game for us, now the focus is on Bught Park.”
Kingussie are in the final for the fifth consecutive year and are second in the all-time winners list with 26 titles to their name and will aim to win a fourth Camanachd Cup in as many years.
Last year, they defeated Lovat 3-2 in the final at Fort William to retain their crown.
Kingussie captain Thomas Borthwick, said they are heading into the final in good form.
He said: “We have been warming up to the fixture nicely and have built up a decent bit of momentum over the last few weeks, the two wins against Newtonmore obviously help build the confidence ahead of the final, but we know they are strong at the back and can score goals.
“I think this year’s final will be the biggest since 2011 so really looking forward to the big match.”
Ahead of the senior final, Lovat and Skye will contest the Under-14 MacMaster Cup Final from 11am.
Camanachd Association president Burton Morrison said: “Saturday’s Camanachd Cup Final promises to be a classic. Kingussie, the holders, have shown remarkable consistency despite injuries, while Newtonmore proved in their semi-final win that they remain a force on the big stage. A Badenoch derby always carries an edge, and this one will be no different.
“We are hugely grateful to Kieran and the team at Tulloch Homes for their continued support in making occasions like this possible, and I look forward to a final that showcases all that is best in our sport.”