Danny MacRae, the man who scored the goal which gave Newtonmore their first national Premier Division title, had a special reason to be thrilled.
He is the son of Angus MacRae, who played when More last won a national league title, when they beat south champions Kyles Athletic in a play-off after winning the old North First Division, 25 years ago.
As captain, Danny collected the Premier trophy before a 1,200 crowd after Saturday’s 1-0 win at title rivals Fort William to end years of frustration for The Eilean club, which missed out by a single goal last year and by a single point the year before.
Angus MacRae captained the Newtonmore side which won the Camanachd Cup in 1979 and now Danny and his talented team-mates are eyeing the trophy, last won 24 years ago.
Manager Norman MacArthur said: “Danny’s been an inspirational captain and it was fitting he should score the crucial goal.
“His family link is with the great Newtonmore days and, hopefully, we can make the next few years our era as our side, with three lads under 19, has great potential, while Danny himself is still only 26 and his best is yet to come.
“Rory Kennedy was immense at Fort William, winning his duel with Gary Innes, and at 18 I’m convinced he’s the best young player in shinty today.
“Having broken the title barrier, we have a 20-strong squad in which any of them merits a starting role and these lads can go on and win other national honours. The icing on the cake was Fraser MacIntosh, who has been abroad all season, was at the game and says he’ll be available next season.”
MacArthur can take enormous credit for the drive and commitment which has seen him conquer disappointments to finally build a successful side and steer Newtonmore to the elusive championship.
Other links with the 1985 side, which won not just the title, but the grand slam, include MacArthur himself, whose son Paul is in the current side, goalkeeper Mike Ritchie, son of David, Andy Mackintosh, son of Ian, Evan Menzies, son of William and Norman Campbell, son of George.
In addition, 17-year-old Michael Russell, an unused sub on Saturday, but showing great promise, is the son of John Russell, who captained the 1985 side.
In an extremely skilful game, Fort played full forward James Clark at full back for the suspended Adam Robertson, switching John Macleod from defence to full forward.
Fort needed to win to take the title and Mike Ritchie defied them with a couple of super stops.
But Fort’s Paul MacKay was the busier goalkeeper with a string of great saves and Drew MacNeil has called up the 19-year-old as an addition to the Scotland squad.
The great Fort William-Kilmallie derbies will be revived in the Premier Division next season after Kilmallie won the North First Division title in commanding style with a 6-0 home win against Caberfeidh.
The third title decided on the day was Glenurquhart colts winning the North Second Division with early goals from Greg McCormack and Kelvin MacKenzie setting up a 2-1 success against Lovat at Drumnadrochit, with James MacPherson replying with a penalty.
