Lochaber won the Billy MacLachlan Memorial Trophy for the first time when they beat Fort William 4-2 at Spean Bridge on Monday January 1.
Fort William took the inaugural trophy with a 3-0 victory last year but fell behind to two early goals this time around.
Lochaber got off to a great start, scoring through Ben Delaney after five minutes, with Duncan MacKinnon adding a second soon after.
The hosts were forced into a couple of centre line changes on the half-hour with Gregor Cameron coming off injured and Barry MacDonald also withdrawn, suffering the effects of flu.
Fort William took advantage with Alexander MacMillan pulling a goal back to make it 2-1 at half-time.
Lochaber regained their two-goal cushion around 10 minutes into the second half.
Pat Toal’s corner put Fort William keeper Stuart Disher, on for Paul MacKay at the break, under pressure and the ball ended up in the net.
Fort William fought back once more though and Alexander MacMillan got his second to make it 3-2 with a quarter of the game to go.
However, just as he did so often last season, Ben Delaney made the difference, turning his marker on the left side and giving the keeper no chance with a powerful strike to claim his second goal of the game making it 4-2.
Lochaber manager Ally Ferguson said: “It was a good game, played in good spirit and the conditions were very good for the time of year. I just felt we edged it as we were that bit sharper in front of goal.
“Ryan Johnstone was a stand-out at the back for us, if not man of the match, whilst Duncan MacKinnon had a fine game in midfield and later up front. Ben Delaney also turned in a very good shift, scoring two goals.
“Fort William never gave up and Jack Fraser put in a power of work in the middle of the park and two-goal Alexander MacMillan was also very good.
“It was good to get a derby win and there was a good turnout of spectators from both clubs to fondly remember Billy.”
New Kilmallie manager Mark MacPherson welcomes keeper Shane Gillies into his squad for the 2024 season.
The former Scotland under-17 keeper hasn’t played for the Kilmallie senior side since 2021 but his return delights MacPherson who said: “Shane realised just how much he missed the game and playing for Kilmallie and it’s great to have him back.”
Shane Gillies added: “On one hand, I’ve enjoyed the break away from it all and the time I spent playing outfield for the second team.
“That said, I have missed being around the first team and feel this is a good time to get back at it again. I’m looking forward to it.”
Mark MacPherson is also looking forward to the new shinty season. He said: “I’ve been away from shinty and Kilmallie for too long.
“Like Shane, I watched the Balliemore Cup final at Spean Bridge at the end of last season and I saw the boys batter Lochaber in the first half.
"Lochaber took control in the second half and went on to win but our young guys never gave up and I thought to myself, I fancy doing this again.
“I had a word with my partner Natalie and we both agreed I should give it a go. I’m really excited and I want to do this job. No-one has had to persuade me or force me to do it.
“Johnny Morrison has left a good foundation. We have a good young team with Shane O’Rua, Seamus Macfarlane, Ben MacKinnon and Aidan Love to name a few.
“The National Division will be tough next season, especially with Beauly and Glasgow Mid Argyll dropping down from the Premiership, but the youngsters are so committed.
“We also have that bit of experience. Innes Blackhall will captain the side next season and he would walk into any Premiership team and do the business.
“Robbie MacFadyen is another terrific player who is so important to us as is Calum MacDougall.
“Some of the players know me from before but the majority don’t. I won’t put any pressure on them, but I know we’ll be competitive this season.”
MacPherson will be assisted on the touchline by Martin Stewart, another former manager who has played through all the levels for Kilmallie and has considerable youth and senior coaching experience.
Michael Rodger will also have an input.
MacPherson added: “Martin has been over the course before so he will be a huge help as will Michael who is unable to play due to a knee injury.”
Kilmallie have already arranged pre-season friendlies against Inverness and Oban Camanachd and will look to add at least one more date to their schedule.
The full collection of Shinty Yearbooks has been digitised in a unique collaboration between Shinty Memories Scotland, the Camanachd Association and Sporting Heritage UK.
The enormous task of digitising the volumes was undertaken by heritage consultant, the Highland Historian Andrew McKenzie.
The Shinty Yearbook was first published in 1971 and is generally held to be the single most important repository of the modern history game of shinty.
It is the “go-to” source for matters of record and also has a huge collection of articles about the sport – personalities, changes in the game, opinions and very specially, photographic images.
Details of the material’s online publication and an online talk “An intriguing web with wayward strands – the foundations of the Shinty Yearbooks,” will be released in due course.
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