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TAYNUILT OVERWHELMED BY ARAY

This was always going to be a tough assignment for Taynuilt against Inveraray, and so it proved at a packed AJG Parcels Celtic Society Cup Final, hosted at Strachur's new playing field.

An enthusiastic crowd of around 500 - remarkable considering the match had been postponed the previous Saturday -  gathered among the Cowal hills to watch Taynuilt's first venture into a senior final against a premiership side that has come to think of the Celtic Cup as its own over the past decade.

A good early first half showing from Taynuilt was undone by some slackness in defence six minutes into the final, as Russell MacKinlay fired home from an angle. Slick forward play by Inveraray produced another three before the half-time whistle, from Garry MacPherson after 20 minutes, Christopher Crawford a couple of minutes later and MacKinlay again on the stroke of half-time.

The second half might have offered the hope of a Taynuilt fightback, as they had not been that far off the pace to that point.

A flurry of early second half goals from Inveraray sealed a comprehensive win as the Taynuilt heads started to drop.  Within 20 minutes it was 11-0, and by the end it stood at 14-0. Taynuilt, though, put up a brave fight towards the end of the second half, bringing out a number of saves from Aray keeper, Graham MacPherson, but were ultimately overwhelmed by more mobile players in the Inveraray forward line - though the centre and half-back players for Inveraray also coped well with the Taynuilt threat.

Aside from the Inveraray victory, mention must go to the MacPherson brothers, Gary and Graham, who each secured a thirteenth medal apiece -  a record medal haul for the competition. Just a word for the hosts as well. This was the first major event, never mind the first major shinty final for the Strachur venue. The Glasgow Celtic Society, sponsors and local organisers deserve huge praise for a great event.

As for Taynuilt - they should take heart from much of their performance and a great deal of pride in reaching the final.

Inveraray?

We shall see. They look good just now, so a Camanachd Cup or another adventure is far from impossible.