Shinty round-up: 2024 Mowi Awards

There were special awards for Kinlochshiel’s Conor Cormack and Keith MacRae who put their first aid skills to the best possible use when referee Steven MacLachlan collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest during the game between Caberfeidh and Kinlochshiel at the end of March.

The players, who are both firefighters, used a pitch side defibrillator to revive the referee who has since
made a full recovery.

Steven MacLachlan was also present as he received the Johnny “Ach” MacRae Quaich for referee of the year. Steven showed his dedication to the sport by being back officiating in early June. He is regarded as one of the best referees in the game.

Ewen Maclean from Skye was the emerging referee of the year.

Fort William are the Community Club of the Year. The club’s street league of shinty has been taking place in the summer for several years, giving children from a number of clubs the chance to play when organised youth shinty pauses.

Attracting more than 60 young players each week, it caters for all primary age children and is free to attend.

Fort William were also commended for their involvement in the popular “Lochaber Live” event which took place when the club hosted the Camanachd Cup final.

Youth shinty at Kilmallie and at Caol Primary School were also recognised when former Scotland and Kilmallie player John Stewart was confirmed as Youth Coach of the Year and Caol won the Gary Innes Award for School of the Year for its youth development.

Caol Primary School has had a wonderful 2024 season and John Stewart, along with Donald Lamont and Ryan Stewart, have been key coaches.

Several of the young players under their guidance have started to play for Kilmallie under-14s which augers well for the club.

John Stewart said: “We are all delighted with the awards. I know I received the youth coach of the year, but it should include Donald Lamont and Ryan Stewart as we all coached the children.

“We always knew this particular year group were a talented bunch but to win every competition entered in 2024 was unbelievable.

“Thanks must also go to the parents for all the support we received. It was one big team effort.

“Donald Lamont is continuing with Caol Primary School this year, with myself and Ryan having a break. Liam Cameron is taking over the Kilmallie under-14s.”

There was a richly deserved Award for Social Responsibility made to Rosemary MacPhee. Rosie was instrumental in making the Disability Festival of Shinty happen in Fort William this year whilst she, and her late husband Duncan, have also been active youth shinty supporters for many years.

The full list of winners is:

Mowi National Coach of the Year – Iain Borthwick, Kingussie.
Mowi North Area Leagues Coach of the Year – John Gibson and Russell Jones,
Kingussie.
Mowi South Area Leagues Coach of the Year – Andrew McMurdo, Inveraray.

Player Awards

Mowi National Player of the Year – Blair Morrison, Caberfeidh.
Mowi North Area Leagues Player of the Year – Penri Jones, Strathglass.
Mowi South Area Leagues Player of the Year – Sandy Leiper, Kilmory.
Mowi Community Club of the Year – Fort William.

Women’s Camanachd Association Awards

Mowi National Division Club of the Year – Lochaber.
Mowi Division 2 Club of the Year – Inverness.
Mowi Club Development Award – Strathglass.
Mowi National Division Coach of the Year – Andy MacDonald, Lochaber.
Mowi Division 2 Coach of the Year – Rona Stewart, Badenoch.
Mowi National Division Player of the Year – Christina MacDonald, Skye Camanachd.
Mowi North Division 2 Player of the Year – Lexi Farquhar, Badenoch.
Mowi South Division 2 Player of the Year – Siobhain Lane, Tayforth.

Service Awards

Mowi Service to Women’s Shinty Award – Niamh Donnelly, Aberdour.

Youth Awards

Mowi Youth Coach of the Year – John Stewart, Kilmallie.
Mowi U14 Player of the Year – James Coyle, Newtonmore.
Mowi U17 Player of the Year – Joe Coyle, Newtonmore.
Donella Crawford Award for Youth and Schools – Neil Sutherland, Stirling.
Gary Innes Award for Club of the Year (Youth Development) – Glasgow Mid Argyll.
Gary Innes Award for School of the Year (Youth Development) - Caol.

Referee Awards

Johnny “Ach” MacRae Quaich for Referee of the Year – Steven MacLachlan.
Emerging Referee of the Year – Ewen Maclean.

Fair Play Awards – Tayforth, Uddingston and Kyles Athletic.

Volunteer Awards

William Paterson Salver for Volunteer of the Year – Rob Ritchie, Newtonmore.
Mowi Award for Social Responsibility – Rosemary MacPhee.
Mowi Award for Innovation – Eoghan Stewart.

Media Award – Fiona MacDonald.

Special Award - Conor Cormack and Keith MacRae, both Kinlochshiel.

Mowi Premiership

Kinlochshiel v Kingussie – points shared

Grand Slam winners Kingussie completed an unbeaten campaign after agreeing to share the points with Kinlochshiel. With the Rèaraig pitch looking unlikely to be playable, the sides made the call on Friday afternoon.

Skye Camanachd v Caberfeidh – points shared

Skye Camanachd and Caberfeidh shared the points from their game at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Caberfeidh finish in second place in shinty’s topflight, with Skye sixth, their best finish since Premiership shinty was introduced.

Mowi North Division 1

The Skye Camanachd second team and the Inverness first team were to meet in a noon throw-up at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. However, the sides agreed to share the points.

Lochcarron and the Fort William second team agreed to share the points from their match at Battery Park.

The Newtonmore second team opted to share the points from their games with the Kinlochshiel seconds and Lochcarron but their final league fixture against the Skye Camanachd seconds in Portree will go ahead and is currently scheduled for Saturday November 16.

Women’s Camanachd Association AGM postponed

The Women’s Camanachd Association annual general meeting was to take place at the Nevis Centre, Fort William on Saturday November 2.

However, the meeting was postponed on Friday evening and a new online date will be issued in due course.