The distinguished association between the University and the sport of shinty will be marked this summer when the University hosts the final of the 2011 Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup.
The draw was made on Monday 14 February at the University by Principal, Professor Ian Diamond, and Aberdein Considine Partner, Ritchie Whyte. The first round takes place on Saturday 9 April, when the Aberdeen University team will take on Lochbroom.
This year’s final is set for Saturday 30 July at the Kings College playing fields in Aberdeen. The final will form part of Aberdeen University Shinty Club’s programme of celebration marking the club’s 150th anniversary. The club, which is recognised as shinty’s oldest constituted club, will commemorate the occasion at an evening dinner and ceilidh following the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup Final. A book celebrating the history of the club is also in production.
Speaking of the Cup, Aberdein Considine’s Ritchie Whyte said, “Aberdein Considine has a long and proud association with shinty, having sponsored the Sutherland Cup for over 15 years. We are very excited by this unique opportunity to promote the sport in Aberdeen and mark an historic anniversary for the University Shinty Club. It has been a pleasure to work with the University, Camanachd Association and the University Shinty Club in organising this event and we are very much looking forward to the final and the anniversary celebrations.”
University of Aberdeen Principal, Professor Ian Diamond, added, “We are extremely proud of our shinty club and the important place it occupies in the history of the sport and of the University. The Sutherland Cup Final will be a big occasion on our playing field this summer, and I want to wish all the competing teams the very best of luck.”
Aberdeen University Shinty Club’s Honorary President, Steven MacKenzie, who also attended the draw, said, “Hosting the 2011 Sutherland Cup Final offers Aberdeen University Shinty Club the opportunity to raise the profile of shinty in the North East and show the wider shinty community what Aberdeen City and Shire has to offer. This would have been impossible without the support of our partners the University of Aberdeen and Aberdein Considine solicitors. We look forward to sharing our celebrations with the finalists and Aberdeen University players, past and present, and welcoming all-comers to, what I am sure, will be a thoroughly exciting day.”
Camanachd Association President, Duncan Cameron, said, “We are delighted to be able to support Aberdeen University Shinty Club’s celebrations by bringing the final to Aberdeen. I am in no doubt that it will be a great occasion for the participating teams, the club itself, the University of Aberdeen and competition sponsor, Aberdein Considine, to whom we are immensely grateful for their continued support.”