'It's high time to bring back the Camanachd Cup' says Kingussie captain
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Kingussie captain Savio Genini has said that seven years is far too long for the Red and Blues not to have been in a Camanachd Cup final.
He hopes that his side will make up for lost time when they take centre stage at the Dell this Saturday to contest the game's biggest prize with Lovat.
Genini said at the official match preview earlier today in Aviemore: “We are looking forward to being back in our first Camanachd Cup final for eight years which is too long for a club like Kingussie so it is good to be back challenging.
"Lovat will be a massive test for us so we will need to be at 110 per cent to get anything from the game.
"The whole town is buzzing about the Camanachd Cup final being back at the Dell after so long, without doubt the best surface in shinty so it makes for a great game.
"It’s a massive honour for everyone in our team to represent the club and to do it on our home ground is huge.”
Kingussie on the other hand are in the final for the first time since 2014 and are second in the all-time holders list with 23 triumphs.
In contrast Lovat have appeared in five of the last seven Camanachd Cup Finals and will be looking to secure their third Camanachd Cup win, adding to victories in 1953 and 2015.
Their captain Craig Mainland said: "We are all looking forward to the final on Saturday. We are privileged enough to have made a lot of
Camanachd finals that should hopefully hold us in good stead.
"We have had a very indifferent season with lot of injuries and a very inconsistent squad at times.
"But when we have our full squad we feel we are a match for anyone including Kingussie on their on patch.
"Having our full forward line back will make a huge difference as Greg (Matheson), Fraser (Heath), Marc (MacLachlan) and Lewis (Tawse) all have goals in them.
"However, to help even more we will need a large support as we are playing Kingussie in their own back garden.
"I think If you haven’t already been to this fixture I would strongly advise it as the size of it and atmosphere is unrivalled.
"I think I can speak for all the lads when I say we are just itching to get out there now.
Sandy Grant, managing director of sponsors Tulloch Homes, said: “We are really excited for this Saturday’s final – two great teams come together in what is set to be a really exciting occasion.
"Shinty is a big part of life in the areas that Tulloch Homes operate and we are really proud to sponsor the sport as it is a fabric of Highland life.
"On behalf of Tulloch Homes I would like to wish both Lovat and Kingussie the best of luck.”
BBC Scotland will be broadcasting the final this Saturday at 2pm.
Tickets are on sale now at www.shinty.com with adult tickets available from £15 and concession
from £10 plus booking fee.
