FEW observers would have been surprised to see the name Inveraray Shinty Club in today's 105th Glasgow Celtic Society Cup final in Anniesland.
When it comes to this competition between the best in the lower half of the country, Inveraray are the Kingussie of the south. Like Kings, though, they appear to be locked in a battle to beat off the upstarts in their dominion.
With ample warning
signs that a new southerly order might be emerging in the shape of Kyles and Oban, this afternoon's Argyll derby with Oban promises to be telling.
Will it be the day Inveraray begin to falter? Manager Davie Macpherson certainly hopes not. Inveraray have won eight out of ten Glasgow Celtic finals. The bus from the royal burgh usually has a space left at the front for the trophy on the way home up the A82.
However, the Winterton outfit has been decimated this year by absenteeism; seven players from last year's Macaulay Cup-winning team gone in the swing of a caman. As a result, 'Aray find themselves in the dark territory of a survival fight while young Oban and Kyles teams threaten to pinch their crown on the way up.
"Nothing can last forever," says Macpherson, whose managerial record in this competition is without equal.
"We have had so many players out at the one time this season. That is why we are where we are. You see these younger teams like Glenurquhart and Kyles and Oban here in the south and they will run all day. In saying that, we have always liked this competition. A lot depends on how you adapt to the different rules."
This weekend's trip to Glasgow sees Macpherson in a position of luxury. Sixteen fit players would have been unthinkable in March. Taking time out from training, he can see light at the end of the tunnel, providing this year's scores are settled first.
"The main thing is not to go down a division," Macpherson said. "If we can stay up and get players like Euan McMurdo and Russell MacKinlay back, we'll be fine again. But if that is the way we have to go, that is the way we have to go. We've done it before."
In a one-off occasion, no one can discount Inveraray, as Oban are amply aware. However, fortunes at Mossfield are turning.
"We have beat them already this season. We shouldn't fear anyone. Hopefully we can bring the trophy home," said boss Peter MacCuish.
The full article contains 422 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
