The club will be facing more “Glens” than a whisky connoisseur this season. after we were drawn against South Division Two Glenorchy in the first round of the Highland Industrial Supplies Sutherland Cup.

This will be the first time the clubs have met due to playing in different districts. Glenorchy are based at Dalmally, and have a proud history as a club, being established in 1965, have played at Premier Division and National Division level within the last decade, and indeed won this very competition in 1982.

The game was a home draw for the club so the committee will be looking at all the options for playing the fixture in a suitable venue due to the timetables and lack of availability of Shawbost Park until May. The winner will face a trip to either Kyles Athletic or Kilmory on the 23rd of May.

Camanachd Leòdhais have played South district opposition on four occasions in the Sutherland Cup in its history; GMA in 2007, a 4-0 defeat at Yoker; Aberdour in 2009, a 5-0 defeat at the Bught; Inveraray in 2010, a 9-0 defeat at Inveralel and Oban Lorne, a defeat on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Ganavan.

This follows on from the already confirmed Strathdearn Cup preliminary round against Glenurquhart on the 28th of March. This was also a home draw, but again the committee will be investigating where this will be played due to the timetables and lack of Shawbost’s availability. The winner of that game will meet Inverness in the next round.

The draft fixtures for 2020 have been published by the Camanachd Association.

The club starts its 10th season as a league club with a visit to Boleskine on the 7th of March (where incidentally the club finished its first league season). Then it’s a visit to Strathspey, and then to Inverness before March is completed with a Strathdearn Cup Preliminary Match against Glenurquhart, the first time the clubs will have met in a competitive fixture. The winner will face Inverness in the first round proper.

The rest of the season’s fixtures can be seen here  although other fixtures of note are the first home fixture against Strathglass on the 2nd of May, and the season coming to an end with an away game to Aberdeen on the 15th of August and a home game v Lochaber on 22nd of August.

Dh’fhalbh Pòl, Sean, Callum agus Rab gu Inbhir Nis airson Farpais nan Gàidheal, farpais airson brosnachadh cleachdadh Gàidhlig ann an iomain, agus bha iad gu math taingeil do Ailean agus Iain Doochan às an Eilean agus Alex Dunnings à Meadarloch airson cluiche còmhla riutha. ‘S e deagh chothrom beagan cluiche a dhèanamh ron t-seusan agus coinneachadh ri Gàidheil eile ann an saoghal na h-iomain.

Inbhir Nis 3 v Leòdhas 1 (Callum MacRitchie)

Aiseag an Stròim 4 v Leòdhas 1 (Alex Dunnings)

Srath Ghlais 2 v Leòdhas 2 (Alex Dunnings, Iain Doochan MacPherson)

Camanachd an Eilein 5 v Leòdhas 1 (Iain Doochan MacPherson)

‘S e na Sgitheanaich a bhuannaich an fharpais aig a’ cheann thall agus bha i ga cur air dòigh le Iomain Cholmcille le taic o Bhòrd na Gàidhlig. Chaidh Callum ainmeachadh mar an cluicheadair as fheàrr aig Camanachd Leòdhais tron latha.

A great day out for Rab, Paul, Sean and Callum at the Gaelic Community Sixes – Farpais nan Gàidheal in Inverness. Joined by Allan and Iain Doochan from Skye and Alex Dunnings from Benderloch. It was a fun day meeting up with Gaelic speaking pals from across Scotland, and Callum was awarded the best Lewis player prize, thanks in no small part to a phenomenal goal against Inverness.

After the special occasion of the Iolaire game for the last Iomain Challainn, normal service was resumed for 2020 with two sides picked by senior players Paul Duke and Stuart “Tyson” Campbell for the traditional New Year game on the 4th of January again played at Smith Avenue.

Entirely unintentionally it was a little tribute to the 30th anniversary of Skye’s Camanachd Cup win with a team led by a Skyeman taking on a Newtonmore led team.

Team Dukey – Yellow

Dukey, Ciaran, Sean, Kieran, Craig, Stewart, Callum

Team Tyson – Red

Tyson, Willie, Owen, Dylan, Gaga, Daniel Harrison

Kieran opened the scoring for the Dukey team but a hat trick from Tyson himself took his team into halftime with the lead 3-1.

Callum responded after the interval, but Tyson added a brace and then Dylan notched a goal to make it 6-2 and make it look like the Sgitheanach would triumph over the Newtonmore man’s team. Then the big fightback started with Callum and Ciaran grabbing two each (Callum completing his hat-trick) to make it 6-all, then Stewart made it 7-6 to Dukey’s team. Tyson himself made it 7-7 at the last gasp to complete his double hat-trick and bring it penalties.

It was a tight penalty shootout that went several ways, but in the end  Dukey’s team got the momentum and penalties from the captain, Stewart and Ciaran made it a 3-2 score. A good day had by all and good to see the young players having a strong impact in the game. It was a great way to mark the 10th running of the revived Iomain Challainn since it was started on Hogmanay 2010 by Sean MacLeod who played for Team Dukey in this fixture as well as a good way to begin our tenth season as a league club.

The Annual General Meeting of Comann Camanachd Leòdhais was held at 6pm on Tuesday 29^th October in the Comhairle Offices on Sandwick Road, Stornoway.

The office bearers for the 2020 committee were chosen at the meeting. The Chieftain and Chair/President roles were appointed last year as per the constitution for a two year period, so the present office bearers in those positions will carry on until the next AGM.

Chieftain – Iain Sinclair

Chair – Annette Murray

Secretary – Joanne Mitchell

Treasurer – Kenny MacLeod

Fixture Secretary – Donald Lamont

Merchandising and Sponsorship – Ally Lamont & Paul Duke

Child Protection Officer – Annette Murray

The AGM also confirmed the continuation of John MacAskill and Andrew MacAskill as first team manager and assistant manager respectively. This also confirmed Donald Lamont as captain for 2020, having taken on the role halfway through the 2019 season.

Thanks to those who were on the committee in 2019. Whilst that is the club committee settled for the year ahead, the club would welcome any volunteers who wish to get involved with the club at all levels.

The club held its annual Awards night, held yet again in conjunction with the Craig Morrison Stornoway Sixes on the same day, on the 19th October in the Caladh Inn in Stornoway. We welcomed the competing teams, alongside well travelled fan Roddy Maclean and numerous club stalwarts as the awards for 2019 were made to the deserving winners.

Donald Lamont earned an historic double, winning both the Senior Player of the Year, voted for by his team-mates, and also the Manager’s Player of the Year, earning the Ceremonial Caman from the 1968 Macaulay Cup Final, presented to Donald Shaw, Kyles Athletic – donated to the club for presentation by his son, Dougie Shaw. Donald’s contribution off the field has always been vitally important to the club, but this year was his best season ever in terms of on the park with a goal tally of 11, which also made him the club’s top scorer of all time, and he may have got more and broken the season record if hadn’t been hampered with the injury which he continued to play through until the end of the season.

Donald, who assumed the Club Captaincy duties half way through the season and was confirmed by John MacAskill as continuing in this role in 2020 with Stuart Campbell as Vice-Captain, also made his choice of Captain’s Player of the Year. This went to Callum MacRitchie, who also achieved a unique double as he retained the prize for Young Player of the Year. Callum was unable to attend the event, but his Youth Player Award was accepted on his behalf by Dylan Murray, who was also mentioned by Assistant Manager Andrew MacAskill as being very close to achieving the award himself.

There was also an opportunity for Andrew and Scott MacLeod to be recognised for their recent joint award for the Lewis & Harris Sports Council Youth Coach of the Year Award. John MacAskill took the opportunity to also pay tribute to Paddy Sinclair and Daniel Gallagher for their on field contributions this year which touched on a challenging season, but one which was also very positive and saw the club become the LHSC Club of the Year for the first time.

There was also a successful raffle held which raised money for club funds. Congratulations to all the Prizewinners, and many thanks to those who donated prizes. There was also the fiercely contested Whisky Coin Competition, a new tradition introduced to us by our guests from Strathglass who donated a bottle of whisky for the closest pound coin to the bottle won by Stewart MacRitchie.

On a gusty but sunny Saturday, Lewis shinty paid tribute to the memory of the late Craig Morrison with an entertaining spectacle of sixes shinty on the astroturf at Smith Avenue on the 19th of October.

The Craig Morrison Shield was claimed by the young Strathglass Shinty Club six player-managed by former Lewis stalwart Eoghan Stewart. They overcame Lewis B in an entertaining final 1-0 with the National League experience of young duo Penri Jones and Colin Birnie key to the win for the Cannich side. Their only hiccup during the day was a reveraal of the same scoreline in the group stage against the same opposition, with Scott MacLeod scoring.

The other visiting team were sixes specialists Stromeferry No Ferry United, whose title defence suffered a blow with the injury to Keith “Trumisgarry” Macdonald in the group stage, and then they were defeated on penalties by Lewis A after a scoreless semi-final. However in a highscoring game, Dougie “Dan” MacKenzie of Lochcarron put on an exceptional show for the crowd with a wonder goal and also a golden goal straight from a shy in the third place playoff v Lewis A. Our very own manager, John, who also played in goals for Lewis B, had stepped in to fill the Strome goals in this game also grabbed a goal straight from a by-hit!

Both visiting teams really added to a great day and their input was much appreciated. Thanks to both Strathglass and Stromeferry for their efforts in coming over, as well as attending our awards dinner in the evening as well. It was a great opportunity for many of our young and new players to gain experience as well, and Young Player of the Year and Captain’s Player of the Year Callum MacRitchie showed up well with two goals.

The shield was presented as always by Graham Morrison, Craig’s father. It would have been an occasion that Craig would have savoured as a passionate shinty man who was taken far too soon in 2009. May his memory remain cherished for as long as shinty is played in these islands.

Group Stage

Lewis A 1 (Paul Duke) v Lewis B 1 (Callum MacRitchie)

Strathglass 3 (Eddie Noble, Colin Birnie, Jordan Zblewski) v Stromeferry No Ferry United  0

Lewis B 1 (Scott MacLeod) v Strathglass 0

Stromeferry No Ferry United 2 (Keith Macdonald, Dougie Mackenzie) v Lewis A 2 (Stewart Macritchie, Dylan Murray)

Lewis B 1 (Callum MacRitchie) v Stromeferry No Ferry United 0

Lewis A 0 v Strathglass 2 (Eddie Noble 2)

Standings Lewis B 1st, Strathglass 2nd, Lewis A 3rd, Stromeferry No Ferry United 4th

Semi Finals

Lewis B 0 V Stromeferry No Ferry United 0 (4-3 on Pens)

Lewis A 0 V Strathglass 4 (Penri Jones, Jordan Zblewski, Colin Birnie 2)

Final

Lewis B 0 V Strathglass 1 (Penri Jones)

The club was thrilled to be double winners at the Lewis and Harris Sports Council Awards on October 8th 2019 in the Comhairle Chambers. The Club was named Club of the Year, the first time the club has acheived that illustrious award, and the Young Person’s Coach of the Year was awarded jointly to Andrew MacAskill and Scott MacLeod. Scott and Donald Lamont were there to accept the awards. A great tribute to all involved with the club for their efforts in another long and challenging season.

Previous success at the Awards has been seen by Paul Duke, Over 18 Sportsperson of the Year in 2014 and Al Reed for the Young Person’s Coach of the Year in 2016.

Iomain Cholmcille Representative Honours

The club was also privileged to have two players involved in the recent Iomain Cholmcille Shinty-Hurling for Gaelic speakers held this year on the 12th of October in Glasgow as part of the Royal National Mòd. Stuart “Tyson” Campbell and Pàdraig Sinclair both gained call ups for the game against Fir Uladh from Ireland, and they were unlucky to be on the losing side of a tight match 13-12. Camanachd Leòdhais’ Sean MacLeod was co-manager again, and assistant manager Andrew MacAskill was also in attendance keeping a watchful eye on proceedings and assisting with keeping the social media updated.

Craig Morrison Stornoway Sixes

This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the untimely passing of Craig Morrison. The Sixes are held annually as the club’s tribute to Craig and his continuing legacy at the club. This year’s Sixes competition takes place on Saturday 19th October from 1pm and we would welcome teams with an interest in taking part to contact Donald Lamont via the club Facebook page. The Sixes will be followed by our annual Awards Dinner that evening, which all are welcome to attend.

Craig Morrison Sixes 2016 Winners “Simply the Best – Michael MacLeod VI”

Thèid Coinneamh Coitcheann Bliadhnail Chomann Camanachd Leòdhais a chumail aig sia uairean feasgar, Dimàirt 29mh an Dàmhair ann an Oifisean na Comhairle, Rathad Shanndabhaig, Steòrnabhagh.

Thèid na h-oifigearan airson comataidh 2020 a thaghadh aig a’ choinneamh. Tha sinn a’ sìreadh bhuill ùra cuideachd ’s feum mòr orra. Bidh fàilte ro dhuine sam bith le ùidh ann an spòrs nan Gàidheal anns na h-Eileanan Siar.

Cuir molaidhean agus tagraidhean dhan rùnaire, Joanne Mitchell, ro-làimhe aig joanne_mitchell6 [at] sky.com

The Annual General Meeting of Comann Camanachd Leòdhais will be held at 6pm on Tuesday 29^th Ocotber in the Comhairle Offices on Sandwick Road, Stornoway.

The office bearers for the 2020 committee will be chosen at the meeting. We are also actively seeking new ordinary committee members. We welcome anybody with an interest in the sport of the Gael in the Western Isles.

Please send any proposals or applications to the Secretary, Joanne Mitchell, beforehand at joanne_mitchell6 [at] sky.com

Suas leis an Dubh is Gorm

The 13th HebCelt Cup Final was certainly not an unlucky one for the watching spectator, as yet again the Island teams served up a thriller for the HebCelt crowds as good as anything in the main arena.

On an absolute scorcher of a day, 90 minutes couldn’t separate Camanachd Leòdhais and defending champions Uist Camanachd as the game finished 1-1. Aberdeen University’s Donnie MacRae gave Uist a first half lead. With 18 minutes to go Donald Lamont equalised with his 11th goal of the season but Uist managed to withhold some heavy pressure to ensure that the game finished tied at 90 minutes.

This led directly to the lottery of the penalty shootout and after all was said and done, Scott MacLeod scored the winning penalty to ensure the trophy came home to Lewis.

Race for the Drams

Donald’s goal in the HebCelt extends his lead in the scoring charts even further, after scoring his 10th goal in the 3-1 defeat at against Strathglass a couple of weeks ago. He is now only three goals short of equalling Will Church’s record for goals in a season recorded in 2013.

Donald Lamont 11

Ally Lamont 3

Scott MacLeod 2

Connor Chalmers, Stuart “Tyson” Campbell 1