STUART FRASER

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SHINTY
CAMANACHD CUP FINAL PREVIEW
Freelance Article
By Stuart Fraser
Saturday 19^th September 2009

KYLES ATHLETIC could complete a remarkable Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup run today just three months after being hit by Swine Flu.

The Argyll club take on Fort William in the televised final in Oban after stunning victories over some of shinty’s giants including Newtonmore and Kingussie.

The team were quarantined in June after defender Roddy MacDonald tested positive for the virus which forced the cancellation of several fixtures but Kyles Secretary James Perlich reckons the enforced break actually did his side a favour.

He said: “Before the break, we lost 5 – 0 away to Glenurquhart in the Premier Division.  Things had went downhill and I think the boys needed a rest as we don’t have the depth in our squad.

“Premier Division shinty does take it out of you and when we got the opportunity to have some time off, we grabbed it and I think it benefited us.  Obviously, one of the guys was unwell with Swine Flu which was unfortunate but we bounced back well.”

Opponents Fort William are going for their third Camanachd Cup win in a row although manager Drew McNeil will not underestimate the opposition having played in his club’s Camanachd Cup final defeat to Kyles in 1994.

McNeil said: “I have very painful memories of that day.  There is a degree of revenge for me this Saturday.  Kyles are full of enthusiasm though and we are going to have to score first to quell that.”