The Shinty Preview - Saturday 21 March 2009. | |
19 March 2009 There are no shortage of interesting fixtures in week 3 of the new shinty season. The match of the day will likely be at the Eilan where old adversaries Newtonmore and Kingussie do battle. The prize could well extend beyond the Badenoch bragging rights as both sides have desires on the Marine Harvest National Premier League title. The home side enjoyed a five goal romp against newly promoted Glenurquhart in their opening fixture but their visit to Glenorchy fell foul of the weather in week 2. Kingussie opened the season with at 6-2 win over Lochaber at It’s been suggested that Glen MacKintosh and Cameron Binnie may not be unavailable for Newtonmore whilst Kingussie will be without the suspended duo of defender Ian Borthwick and forward Russell Dallas. It’s not often that Kingussie lose in the league – far less on consecutive weeks - but they know that they will have to up their performance on the previous week if they are to make the short trip home with any sort of addition to their league points total. However More know that they could boost their title challenge by inflicting a second defeat on the Kings from only their opening three matches. Kyles Athletic will look to follow last week’s spectacular win at the Dell by taking something from their game against 2008 Camanachd Cup winners Fort William. The Fort on the other hand will want to shrug of the disappointment of last weekend’s defeat at Oban Camanachd beat Inveraray at Mossfield last weekend and this week brings the visit of Glenurquhart. David Devine made a spectacular return for Oban last weekend, scoring the winning goal. The Glen were well beaten in their opening match at the Eilan but they are fully aware that their chances of Premier League survival will be more dependent on success against the likes of Oban Camanachd rather than the Newtonmores of the shinty world. Inveraray host Glenorchy in the leagues final match. Lochaber have been granted a free weekend in order that the players can attend a local wedding, meaning In Marine Harvest North Division 1, the top game should be recently relegated Lovat’s trip to Beauly’s good start to the season has secured three points out of four but they will be tested when they visit Portree to take on Skye Camanachd. Jamie MacLennan is suspended for Beauly whilst Skye have a doubt over the injured Shockie MacLennan. AB Connor may also be unavailable for the home side due to work commitments. Strathglass manager Garry Reid has had a frustrating start to his managerial career with both of his side’s opening matches falling foul of the weather. This weekend they travel to the Bught to take on an Kinlochshiel travel to face Caberfeidh where they’ll want to pick up points to remain amongst the pack hoping to win promotion. Shiel are boosted this season by the return of Gordy MacDonald and the form of internationals Paul MacRae and the family trio of Finlay, Keith and John MacRae will be important to their hopes. However Caberfeidh will be equally determined after their opening day home defeat to Kilmallie. Lochcarron have a free Saturday in this nine team league and in fact the Battery Park side has yet to play a league fixture after both their opening matches were postponed. There are three matches scheduled in Marine Harvest South Division 1. Oban Celtic have not played yet this season and this weekend they host a Kilmory side who have lost both their opening matches. Glasgow Mid Argyll should follow up their opening day victory with a win in Ballachulish host the Inveraray second team with both sides having a win a piece from their opening matches. In Marine Harvest North Division 2, the game of the day will be a repeat of the 2008 Sutherland Cup Final between Skye Camanachd travel to the Dell to take on a Kingussie side who have won both their opening fixtures and feature the goal scoring Borthwicks - Ryan, David and Thomas. Skye look to be missing David Grant and Scott Martin and manager Davie MacVicar will rely on youth to get the Islanders a result. This match throws up at 12.30pm. Glengarry host a Badenoch side for the second consecutive week. They lost by the odd goal in five against Kingussie last weekend and will be after a better outcome against Newtonmore. Newly promoted Glenurquhart have got off to a great start with maximum points from both their opening fixtures and they travel to face a Kinlochshiel second team who has yet to taste league action this season. Shiel’s Kirkton pitch has not yet been playable this season although the weather in the west has improved this week. Lovat play Caberfeidh at Balgate. Lovat have one win and one defeat so far whilst Cabers are yet to pay. In Marine Harvest South Division 2, Aberdour, with two points out of four, host Taynuilt who have yet to play. Col Glen are at home to Ballachulish in another early throw up – Glasgow Mid Argyll host Strachur. The home side is let to play but Strachur enjoyed a good 3-0 win over Aberdour last week. Glenorchy will be hoping that their pitch at Dalmally recovers to let them to get their season started and allow their match against Kyles Athletic to go ahead. In Marine Harvest North Division 3, Boleskine will look to get their title challenge back on line after two defeats when they host Lochaber. The visitors have also lost both their opening fixtures and this match trows up at the earlier time of 1pm. Ardnamurchan host Kincraig have had a difficult start to the season, losing at home to Lochcarron and conceding the points to There should be a good match at Ullapool where Lochbroom have won their only match this season but they will find Lochcarron and Beauly meet at Battery Park. The home side enjoyed a 3-0 win at Kincraig in their opening fixture whilst Beauly has recorded one win and one defeat. |