KINGUSSIE will relive 2014's finest moment today against Glen Urquhart on the opening day of the 2015 season but club bosses are making no boasts of more Camanachd Cup fireworks.
The Dell outfit saw off the Drumnadrochit outfit 4-0 in September's televised final in Inverness, ending an 8 year wait for Shinty's most lauded prize. It was a sparkling day for the club, with the effervescence of youth melding perfectly with the wiles of more weathered but decorated stars. However, as the pair go head to head once again on day one of the 2015 campaign, co-manager Russell Jones is refusing to take more silverware for granted.
While the rebuilding from the ashes of the side that dominated for two decades gathers fresh momentum, the lack of squad depth continues to addle. Each week can be like a moving picture and that will be demonstrated today, with several big players either doubtful or due to miss out. Still, memories of September should galvanise belief amongst Kingussie's eclectic squad.
Jones, who has done a sterling job alongside club legend Davie Anderson, will happily settle for continued progress as a fair return for the Badenoch outfit this season.
"Although we won the Camanachd Cup last season, we didn't set out with particular targets at the beginning of the year," said Jones. "Obviously, winning it should give the players a great deal of confidence.
"However, it is a very hard trophy to retain. In Cup competitions, you are really only 4 or 5 games from winning it and we know we can beat anyone on our day. In fact, last season, we did beat everyone at varying stages of the season. But there will be 9 or 10 clubs thinking the same thing.
"What we are aiming for, then, is to keep progressing, introducing young players when it is right to do so, and getting the balance of the side, right."
Achieving the correct balance may not be too easy today with Stranraer-based PE teacher, internationalist and club captain Louis Munro likely to miss out through work commitments. Dynamic wing-centre Fraser Munro is also a doubt.
However, there is clearly mileage in the crop of fledglings that have been growing up together quietly at the Dell, out of the public gaze. Quite a number of those played a part in the Cup final victory last year at The Bught Park; sub James Falconer making an impression at only 16.
In Savio Genini, who had been a club mascot the last time they won the Camanachd Cup in 2006, they also have an accomplished striker and finisher. He only turned 18 last week but must be one of the most exciting offensive prospects in the game.
"Savio actually scored in every round of the Camanachd Cup last year, which was not bad for a 17 year old in his first full season," said Jones. "However, he needs to work hard to raise his game again because defenders will know him now."
If the teenager needs any advice on how to handle this aspect, he need only ask veteran Ronald Ross, who will play on this term, albeit at centre-half for the second team. No other attacker had to fine-tune his game more than Ross in his prime, in order to stay one pace ahead of his numerous, often physical, markers.
"It's great for the club that Ronald will be playing again," said Jones. "Having guys like him around the second team, helping to bring players on, is invaluable."
On the other side of Badenoch, Newtonmore will be hoping to add title number six. Over the long haul of a league campaign, no other side will enter 2015 with as much a handle on the task as they will, although Lovat and today's opponents, Kyles, will be aspiring to learn. It's not a and start to a season, is it?
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