Kingussie captain Calum Grant hopes side will hit the heights at weekend
Kingussie captain Calum Grant has said all talk of a second grand slam in three seasons is being shut down ahead of their biggest match of the year.
The Red and Blues will be facing Lovat this Saturday at An Aird in Fort William with the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup at stake.
It is a fourth consecutive final for the Red and Blues who are second only to local rivals Newtonmore in the all-time winners list with 25 titles to their name.
Skipper Grant said: “The season has gone well so far, and I feel like we are getting better as we progress through the games.
“We try and shut out the noise about ‘grand slams’ and let other people talk about that.
“Our focus is just on the next match - that next match just happens to be the biggest of the season now.
“Playing in these finals is what you play shinty for, to represent your club, your family and your community.”
Lovat captain Graeme MacMillan said: “The Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup final is the first date you look for in the shinty calendar so naturally we are excited.
“When we have a full team, we have looked pretty good, we are a team that can be dangerous and when we are fully fit, we have a great defence, so we are well balanced.
“One of the good things about shinty is that you stick with the same group of lads for years, most of the players have that 2022 Camanachd Cup experience which will help the guys massively.
“We know that Kingussie are strong all over the park, when they lost Roddy Young they replaced him with Dylan Borthwick really well.
“They have a deadly forward line but we are confident in our ability.”
The two captains met up at Nevis Range for an unusual photo opportunity to promote the big game.
Lovat will be appearing in the final for the sixth time since 2015 having won the competition twice in their history, most recently in that 2015 final.
BBC Scotland is broadcasting the final this Saturday at 2pm with post match highlights available on BBC ALBA in the evening.
2024 will see shinty and music once again come together as An Aird will also be the venue for the return of Lochaber Live, with tickets to both the music and the shinty still available online.
Shinty tickets are on sale now at www.shinty.com .
Ahead of the senior final, Newtonmore and Skye will contest the MacMaster Cup Final from 11am.
Burton Morrison, Camanachd Association president, said: “Kingussie have proved to be the top team since shinty returned after the pandemic and they have a full trophy cabinet to prove it.
“Lovat have a very experienced player pool and will be appearing in their sixth final in nine years which is testament to their consistency.
“With a top-class goalkeeper and strong fast-tackling defence they do not concede many goals.
“This final would not have been possible without the support of our title sponsors Tulloch Homes.
“I was honoured to attend an event earlier this year which marked the extension of our sponsorship agreement through to 2026, and to meet up with managing director Kieran Graham and his predecessor Sandy Grant.
“They have both expressed a genuine interest in the game and their ongoing commitment and that of their company is much appreciated.”
Mr Graham said: “I’ve followed shinty more this year than ever before and I’ve witnessed incredible games, fantastic talent from the players and tremendous support from the fans.
“I’ve watched friends, family and neighbours come together in their community to celebrate, and sometimes commiserate, with their shinty team.
“I’ve seen first-hand how integral shinty is to an area and it is clear what so many love about this game: community.
“The important role shinty has within a community is one of the reasons we are proud to support the sport and why we’ve extended our support of the Camanachd Cup, agreeing to continue to sponsor the tournament until 2027.
“Good luck to both Lovat and Kingussie on Saturday.”
