Two true Camanachd Leòdhais legends took their leave of the Shawbost stage on Saturday.
Paul Duke and Donald Lamont both marked their retirement from shinty with a goal each as the Dubh is Gorm overcame Boleskine 4-0.
Donald’s goal marked his 72nd for the club, allowing him to retire with the title of club record scorer which he took over from Will Church a good few years ago now whilst Dukey’s left him just one behind him on 71. The other two goals were by Donnie MacRae who should inevitably cruise past the two of them at some point, but the day belonged to two giants of island shinty. Both men have been intrinsic to the Lewis Camanachd story.
Paul played in the club’s very first game in 2007 against Lochbroom and Saturday marked his 223rd match whilst Donald officially did not join the club until the 2011 debut league season, but did appear (and score) in some HebCelt matches as a guest player whilst captain at Aberdeen Uni.
Over the years, Dukey has played many roles in the club including manager as the club entered the leagues and winning the Mòd Cup in 2011. His upbringing in Newtonmore helped bring the Scottish Champions of 2011 to Lewis in 2012 and he played almost every outfield position for the club as well as captaining the club.
Donald started shinty during the Dr Barden era, playing first for Neil Ferguson’s Sandwick team then the Boyd MacKenzie led Back/Lewis Camanachd sides. He then went to Aberdeen University where he would be the student captain of the senior club as well as of the student team. On his return to Lewis for work in 2010, Donald would play in the club’s debut league match. Donald would go on to become the club’s longest serving captain as well as a regular contributor of important goals across his home-based career.
However, it’s off the park where he made perhaps an even larger contribution. He tirelessly worked as fixture secretary to ensure that both the Dubh is Gorm and visiting teams can get to games in Shawbost and the mainland, often under gruelling circumstances.
During their time at the club they both got married to Marie and Emma respectively and raised busy families, but with their support they continued to travel to and play the vast majority of games every season.
It’s fitting that these two club legends bow out together, with Donald just ahead on goals and Dukey just ahead on appearances.
Retirement in shinty doesn’t always stick, but for both Donald and Paul they’ve both decided that the time is right to end their playing days with the club established as a formidable challenger in North Division Two and renowned for its commitment on and off the park, values they exhibited throughout their career.
All involved in island shinty owe them a massive debt.