The focus turns to the domestic game following the international series and there are crucial matches to be played at the top and bottom of the Scottish Hydro Premier Division on Saturday 5 November 2011.
Kyles Athletic v Inveraray
Kyles Athletic have switched their home match against Inveraray to Glasgow Mid Argyll’s Yoker pitch as maintenance work is being carried out on their Tighnabruaich ground. Kyles will be missing the injured Grant Irvine although Donald Irvine should play after missing the shinty / hurling international second test against Ireland. This is Inveraray’s last game of the season. They are ahead of Lovat on goal difference and a point ahead of Oban Camanachd, who are in the league’s second relegation spot. Both Lovat and Oban Camanachd also have one match to play. If Inveraray fail to win, then they will have to await the outcome of Lovat and Oban Camanachd’s final games before their fate is decided.
Kilmallie v Newtonmore
Scottish Hydro Premier Division reigning champions Newtonmore travel to the Canal Parks to play Kilmallie. The home side has talisman John Stewart back following his broken thumb. Incredibly Stewart hasn’t missed a Kilmallie first team game since his injury against Kyles Athletic on Saturday 27 August 2011 at the Canal Parks as his side has not been in action since. However he has represented Scotland in the recent shinty / hurling double-header against Ireland. Michael Rodger is suspended but Peter Carmichael returns from his ban. Martin Graham remains on the injury list. Newtonmore’s Glen MacKintosh is in impressive goal-scoring form at a crucial stage of the season. The Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup is already in the Newtonmore bag as are accolades from the recent Marine Harvest Annual Awards and the men from the Eilan would dearly like to finish the season with the league title. The match will be switched to the Dell and perhaps then the Eilan if the Canal Parks is unplayable.