Twenty four teams will battle out over six rounds to reach shinty's showcase final, which will this year be played at Bught Park in Inverness on Saturday, September 18.

Kinlochshiel face a tough away trip to Kilmory in the first of two preliminary ties, with the other providing arguably the tie of the round between Kilmallie and Beauly.

The other ten teams involved in today's draw received a bye to the 1st round proper where Inverness will host Strathglass in a local derby.

Shinty representatives from North and South met at primary sponsor Scottish Hydro's Pitlochry base to watch the draw being made. Among them was forward and record goal scorer Ronald Ross, whose Kingussie team will join proceedings at the 2nd Round stage along with the other 10 Scottish Hydro Premier Division sides.

He commented: "Kingussie's main priority for the season ahead is the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup. It was a huge disappointment not to make the final last year, but hopefully that will not be the case this year."

On the draw, Ross said: "The Kilmallie v Beauly tie should be a close encounter with both teams looking to go a long way in the competition.

"Both would probably fancy their chances against Taynuilt in the next round so it's a chance for them to get through and perhaps face a Premier Division side in the 2nd round."

Duncan Cameron, President of the Camanachd Association was looking forward to another exciting competition after helping to draw the first round: "Last year, the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup produced some fantastic games, culminating in one of the most memorable and exciting finals in the competition's history.

"Hopefully we can look forward to more of the same this year. Kilmallie v Beauly should provide a great spectacle to kick-start the competition and all the teams will be hoping to progress to the 2nd round with the prospect of facing Premier Division opposition."

Douglas Flowers, Sponsorship Manager for Scottish Hydro, commented: "Today's draw for the first round of the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup is the perfect way to start the new season.

"The Camanachd Cup Final is the pinnacle of the shinty calendar and I'm sure the
players will be desperate to be a part of the big day come September.

"Scottish Hydro is proud to continue its support of shinty in 2010 and will continue to develop its programme of investment across all levels of the sport."

The Cup draw signalled the start of the 2010 shinty season, with the first round of Scottish Hydro Premier Division fixtures taking place tomorrow (March 6).
Scottish Hydro Camanachd
Cup 1st Round Draw

Preliminary Round
March 27
Kilmallie v Beauly
Kilmory v Kinlochshiel

1st Round April 24
Lochcarron v Lochaber
Kilmallie or Beauly v Taynuilt
Caberfeidh v Kilmory or
Kinlochshiel
Inverness v Strathglass
Glenorchy v Oban Celtic
Skye v Ballachulish