Shinty: Wandering star McMurdo back to ensure Inveraray's cup bid bears fruit

Euan McMurdo was harvesting bananas 9000 miles away as his Inveraray team mates were lifting last year's Macaulay Cup. Today the club legend is happy to put his wanderlust to one side for the chance to cement Inveraray's reputation against Kingussie in Oban.

Part of a great Winterton Park side, McMurdo will always hold a special place in the narrative of the Royal Burgh. In 2004, it was the little forward's goal against Fort William that brought the Camanachd Cup back to Loch Fyneside for the first time in 74 years, an event that will never be forgotten in the village.

Even favourite sons reach crossroads in their lives, though, and, in 2008, McMurdo decided to quit his job at a Dumbarton bank and head off on his travels.

During his year criss-crossing the globe, his team mates and lifelong pals were having their own adventures. They won the Glasgow Celtic Society trophy and came from 3-1 behind in this competition last year to defeat Kings 4-3. Conversely, they found themselves embroiled in a relegation battle as McMurdo was preparing to jet home.

This season, though, he is back in the old routine, refreshed after his experiences on foreign shores and looking to savour more success.

Should 'Aray win the cup today in front of the live BBC2 cameras, McMurdo's absence last time will only make the occasion more enjoyable. He said: "Travelling was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I managed to do South America, New Zealand and Australia. I worked at banana farming but I did miss the Shinty.

"It was hard when the boys were getting to finals and I wasn't part of it. It was a bit surreal because I was on the phone to a pal in New Zealand last year when I heard Inveraray had scored the winning goal against Kingussie in the final. People must have been wondering who the daft Scotsman was, jumping about."

McMurdo is now concentrating on sports coaching qualifications and assisting at an Argyll sports centre. He added: "It works in well with the shinty. I am fitter than I have been in years, for example. I didn't mind the banana farming but it was long hours and hard, hard work. My job was to hang the bananas before they got sorted into bunches. Then there was the spiders, rats and the occasional snake!"

Kingussie are still smarting after last year's defeat and manager Stephen Borthwick, has refashioned them, melding youths and veterans to produce a side that is more sustainable long-term.

But McMurdo added: "We want to make it three in a row and cement our standing as the best Inveraray team there has ever been. Both teams are renowned for fast flowing Shinty and I think it will make a great spectacle."

BBC2 coverage of the Artemis Macaulay Cup final begins at 2.15pm, with the throw-up at 2.25pm.