WATCH: Kingussie captain aims to continue shinty domination in MacTavish Cup final against Skye in Inverness
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JAMES Falconer hopes winning the MacTavish Cup can be the starting point for another dominant shinty season for Kingussie.
The captain will lead his team out against Skye in the final at Bught Park in Inverness on Saturday as they look to defend the trophy they won last year.
Kingussie were rampant in 2022 when they claimed all four major trophies, which started off with the MacTavish Cup, followed by Macaulay Cup, Camanachd Cup and the Premiership.
Falconer says there is pressure on the club to try and replicate their all conquering exploits from last season.
He says the players have put last season out of their minds, but is confident that victory on Saturday can send them on their way to achieving another successful campaign.
Speaking about the pressure of another grand slam, he said: "It is massive, but we will take every week as it comes.
"Last year was last year, now we are starting fresh, so we have to kind of forget we won that grand slam."
He added: "It will give us the boost to push on forward and give us the other three.
"We don't want to come away with anything less than the trophy."
Kingussie have enjoyed a good start this season as they have reached the quarter finals of the Camanachd Cup and are in second place in the Premiership, two points behind leaders Newtonmore with two games in hand.
But they had to come from two goals down with eight minutes remaining to salvage a 2-2 draw at Newtonmore last weekend.
Falconer knows the key to success is consistency and knows they can't afford to be complacent against anyone.
"You have to go into the game with some confidence, but maybe not too much confidence.
"We drew at Newtonmore after beating them twice already, think we might walk it and we never. "We have to watch that."
Skye won promotion to the Premiership last season after claiming the National Division title and have impressed in the top flight this season.
They thrashed Caberfeidh 5-1 at Strathpeffer last weekend and recorded a shock 2-1 win at Newtonmore last month.
Falconer says Kingussie will have to be on top form to retain the trophy.
"Their captain John Gillies is at full back and he will be tricky to get past," said Falconer.
"Their whole squad is good, we played up there and it was an even match.
"So we are in for a good final."
After lifting the trophy at Bught Park last season, Falconer knows the stadium is a special place for shinty and is looking forward to savouring the atmosphere at the ground where a big support from Kingussie is expected.
"Everyone will be excited and looking forward to it.
"It is always special there, it is a good pitch, big stand and the atmosphere will be good and hopefully that will help us."
