THE HERALD REVEALS

Inveraray master fiery pitch to win cup
KENNETH STEPHEN June 29 2009
Inveraray mastered a fiery Anniesland pitch and a resilient Oban to lift the Glasgow Celtic Society Cup for the 19th time on Saturday.

With the action being captured live from the BBC ALBA gantry, Davie Macpherson's men came from a goal behind to win 3-2 in the 105th final.

It now sets the royal burgh side up for their relegation scrap in the league and will give them fresh belief in their quest to retain the Macaulay Cup.


Oban did enough to prove they are a side on the up; their performance blotted only by a late sending off for Liam MacIntyre.

However, it was greater quality in the final third which swung it for Inveraray.

Despite Glasgow Hawks' rugby season being weeks away at the Old Anniesland arena, the surface was not a vehicle for flattering shinty.

Double hero Garry MacPherson, who claimed his 11th medal - equalling a record set by Kyles' Barnie Crawford - believes it was no accident Inveraray turned the screw in the second half.

He said: "I think you could see that the park was pretty poor at the grandstand end but it was not so bad up the field. We played more fluent stuff in the second half. It was a much better performance."

Scott MacMillan scored for Oban from a free hit - he also scored a late counter to ensure the game ended 3-2 - and Peter MacCuish's men were 1-0 up at the interval.

Lesser teams might have allowed frustration to unpick their plans but Inveraray know how to win this trophy. Two second-half goals from MacPherson, one from the spot, and a goal of the season contender from Chris Crawford secured them the silver goblet.

It was more like Inveraray. With key players now returning, they can expect a better return from the second half of the campaign.

"We got into the changing room at half-time and we stayed calm," said captain Andrew McMurdo, cradling the cup.

"We have been here so often before in this final, we knew what to do. As soon as we got the goal, I knew it was going to happen. I think we showed we have a lot of character."

This article was posted on 29-Jun-2009, 07:21 by Hugh Barrow.