After what seems like an age due to postponements, the Dubh is Gorm will hopefully return to the pitch tomorrow, and this time on home soil.
The first game of the season sees a historic first, the first ever competitive visit to Lewis of Kinlochshiel Shinty Club.
This of course is not the first competitive meetings of the two clubs, or indeed the first visit of Kinlochshiel to Lewis.
The club has always had connections with the Shiel club through the MacRaes of Achmore, James and Crisdean, who at various times have trained and/or played with the club. James as well brought some Kinlochshiel players along to the first Craig Morrison Sixes in 2010 as part of Aiseag nan Strom Aonaichte (Stromeferry No-Ferry United), a tradition that carries on to this day.
However, despite the close connections Lewis fostered with the other shinty clubs on the west coast, Skye, Lochcarron, Lochbroom and Kinlochbervie, it took a long time for Lewis and Shiel to meet.
The very first meeting of the two clubs was a solemn occasion but one that marked the communal catharsis of the Iolaire commemorations on the 1st of January 2019. An idea seeded as early as 2014/15 and the beginning of marking the losses of the Great War was given full expression, as the two clubs came together for a fitting spectacle which was one of the final commemorations in the United Kingdom. Kinlochshiel of course represented the port of Kyle of Lochalsh from which the fated vessel sailed, whilst Lewis Camanachd represented the revival of the shinty tradition in Lewis which suffered a brutal blow with the deaths of many young men who would have been looking forward to some Iomain Challain. Shiel won the game 4-0 and more information can be found at the following link. Latha sònraichte a’ comharrachadh call na h-Iolaire | The Iolaire remembered by Camanachd Leòdhais and Kinlochshiel – Lewis Camanachd (camanachdleodhais.com)
The only other meeting of the two teams, and the only competitive meeting was in this very competition in 2022. Lewis made the trip to Balmacara for a Strathdearn first round game, and there wasn’t much else to report but a 5-0 win of Na Seilich.
It’s a rare thing for a cup match to be held in Lewis, so please try and get along to support the Dubh is Gorm in our homecoming fixture.
The photo at the top is of Camanachd Leodhais stars Scott MacLeod and Ronan Sinclair wearing Shiel strips as part of the Skye Wester Ross U17s in 2017.