The draw for the 2011 Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup was made today (Monday 14^th February) at the University of Aberdeen by University Principal, Professor Ian Diamond, and Aberdein Considine Partner, Ritchie Whyte.  The final will be played in Aberdeen as part of the 150^th anniversary celebrations of Aberdeen University Shinty Club.

The draw was as follows:

1^st Round 9^th April 2011

The SCOTS V Lovat

Glenurquhart V Newtonmore

Kilmallie V Lochside Rovers

Lochcarron V Beauly

Inverness V Lochaber

Kingussie V Strachur

Aberdeen University V Lochbroom

Glengarry V Bute

Col Glen V Inveraray

Taynuilt V Tayforth

Skye V Fort William

Boleskine V Caberfeidh

Byes

Kyles Athletic

Glasgow Mid Argyll

Kinlochshiel

Strathglass

2^nd Round 7^th May 2011

Kinlochshiel V Skye/Fort William

Col Glen/Inveraray V Aberdeen University/Lochbroom

The SCOTS/Lovat V Lochcarron/Beauly

Boleskine/Caberfeidh V Taynuilt/Tayforth

Glasgow Mid Argyll V Kyles Athletic

Glengarry/Bute V Glenurquhart/Newtonmore

Kingussie/Strachur V Kilmallie/Lochside Rovers

Inverness/Lochaber V Strathglass

Quarter Final 28^th May 2011

Glasgow Mid Argyll/Kyles Athletic

V

Inverness/Lochaber/Strathglass

Kinlochshiel/Skye/Fort William

V

The SCOTS/Lovat/Lochcarron/Beauly

Col Glen/Inveraray/Aberdeen University/Lochbroom

V

Kingussie/Strachur/Kilmallie/Lochside Rovers

Glengarry/Bute/Glenurquhart/Newtonmore

V

Boleskine/Caberfeidh/Taynuilt/Tayforth

Semi Final 9^th July 2011

Glengarry/Bute/Glenurquhart/Newtonmore/Boleskine/Caberfeidh/Taynuilt/Tayforth

V

Glasgow Mid Argyll/Kyles Athletic/Inverness/Lochaber/Strathglass

Kinlochshiel/Skye/Fort William/The SCOTS/Lovat/Lochcarron/Beauly

V

Col Glen/Inveraray/Aberdeen University/Lochbroom/Kingussie/Strachur/Kilmallie/Lochside Rovers

The first round of the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup takes place on Saturday 9^th April and this year’s final is set for Saturday 30^th July at the Kings College playing fields, Aberdeen.

In 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.”

The final will form part of Aberdeen University Shinty Club’s programme of celebration marking the club’s 150^th anniversary.  The club, who are recognised as shinty’s oldest constituted club, intend to commemorate the occasion at an evening dinner and ceilidh on the 30^th following the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup Final.  A book celebrating the history of the club is also in production.

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.”