The Balliemore Cup is a knock-out cup in the sport of shinty. It is the Intermediate Championship run under the auspices of the Camanachd Association and only first teams competing in the National, North Division One and South Division One are eligible for entry.
The Balliemore Cup
History
In the early 20th century, Captain Colin MacRae of Balliemore ran a shinty competition in the Kyles of Bute area, and the trophy was competed for by teams such as Kyles, Bute, North Bute, Balliemore and Rhubaan Rovers. The trophy was donated for competition by his brother, Major MacRae Gilstrap.
However, after a long period without being played for the cup was presented to the Camanachd Association by Captain Duncan MacRae of Eilean Donan[1][permanent dead link] to be used as a trophy for national competition between teams at an intermediate level, i.e. those teams who had little chance of winning the Camanachd Cup but who were also ineligible for the Junior championship, the Sir William Sutherland Cup.[2][permanent dead link]
The cup was first played for as the Intermediate Championship in 1985 and was won by Bute Shinty Club 3-2 against Glengarry Shinty Club. In 2009, Bute hosted the final which was the first Balliemore final to be televised, and it was broadcast by BBC Alba.[3] The 2010 final was notable for a match-winning save by the Kinlochshiel keeper using his head, which became a widely distributed viral hit on the internet.[4]
