A sports shirt is in itself no more than a garment, the number on its back merely a means of identifying the wearer, but there was a profound symbolism to the match transforming impact made by the man in the No.12 shirt at Bught Park on Saturday.

Previously worn by the late Duncan Rodger, Kilmallie’s top goal scorer this season, it was instead borne in the MacTavish Cup final by his younger cousin Michael, who pulled it on in tribute to a man who had lost his life a fortnight ago, less than two days after putting in what was considered to be his finest appearance for the club.

The older Rodger's match-winning two goal performance in a 5-3 win had in turn been set against a sad backdrop, that Camanachd Cup tie against Lochaber played on the day Donald Lamont, a stalwart of the club in the sixties, had died and the team consequently warmed up for Saturday’s final wearing tee-shirts bearing the message: “Always with us – Donald and Duncan.”

A minute’s applause rather than silence had taken place ahead of the throw up of the ball which started proceedings, a build-up which tested the mettle of all concerned. These are brave men whose approach to sport goes some way towards explaining why Highlanders have so often been deployed by the military, repeatedly charging fearlessly, but not without some calculation, towards danger even as opponents are swinging their hooked wooden camans at a little bullet of a ball.

Their gallantry was perhaps best defined by the first half incident which would have seen some of the SPFL’s finest demanding to be helivaced after Peter MacIntyre was struck a ferocious blow. After some on-field treatment he instead left the field under his own field clutching blood-soaked bandage to split head and after having stitches inserted, had returned to the fray before the interval.

Saturday’s circumstances required courage of a different order, however and Rodger admitted afterwards that in those closing few moments before the match got underway it had come close to being too much.

“It’s been an emotional day, but I think we’ve honoured Donald and Duncan very well and I think they’ll be proud of us,” he said.

“I felt (donning the no.12 shirt) was a nice gesture. I wanted to wear it for Duncan because he should have been a part of this and it was an honour to do so.

“It was tough, though, the minute’s applause in particular and I had to go and sort myself out on the sidelines for a wee minute but you’ve got to get over it and get on with it. We’ve got a job to do on the park.”

In the early stages it looked as that might be asking too much, the forward cutting a frustrated figure as he struggled in his battle with Mike Russell whose close marking job in slotting into that role within a disciplined defence, having switched position late following Craig Ritchie’s failure to pass a fitness test, helped demonstrate why Newtonmore have dominated the sport in recent years.

The Harvest Premiership champions of the past six years and MacTavish Cup holders, consequently looked set to have little trouble in retaining the trophy as they established a three goal lead early in the second half, with goals from Stephen MacDonald in 15 minutes, Drew MacDonald in 27 and Fraser MacKintosh three minutes into the second half.

Yet Rodger had settled to his task before the break, his vision when taking a couple of free hits from just outside the ‘D’ having set up decent opportunities for both Mark Graham and Craig McIsaac and he joked afterwards that the finishing power associated with the No.12 shirt might see him continue to wear it for a while, rather than his own No.9, after scoring the goal, six minutes after his side had fallen 3-0 behind, that got them back into the game.

The assist had been provided by Innes Blackhall one of a number of youngsters in the Kilmallie side and, even as Rodger had been working himself into the game in the opening half, the fight had been repeatedly taken to the favourites by another. It was only when the rangy Calum MacDougall removed his helmet for the post-match preparation that it could be suggested that his man-of-the-match award was in any way inappropriate, his callow features belying the way the 17-year-old had challenged some of the best players in the land.

All the more apt, then, that after they had absorbed another lengthy spell of pressure, it was MacDougall who struck his side’s second as he and his colleagues finally broke out to raise the noise levels from the sidelines and subject Newtonmore to a much more uncomfortable closing quarter of an hour than had seemed likely at the outset.

They did what was required to hold on in that period, but the manner of the challenge taken to them was itself the best possible tribute to Duncan Rodger who had been a member of a highly successful Fort William side for many years before bringing his knowhow to Kilmallie 18 months ago, helping them regain Premiership status while nurturing their youngsters.

His younger cousin wryly joked that he had been less inclined to learn from him when they were on opposing sides for several years, but reckoned the account their youthful team had given of themselves had done Duncan proud.

“His experience shone through with everyone,” he said.

“He would give all the young boys tips, take them aside and teach them wee bits and bobs of the game because he knew everything about it and he could do everything in the game.”

It was a match that will be remembered as much for its most conspicuous absentee as for the performances of the participants, but as his family seek to rebuild their lives they can draw some small consolation from the very obvious shinty legacy he has left.