The draw for the 2012 Artemis Macaulay Cup, made on Saturday 10 December 2011, has thrown up some interesting ties.
Holders Kyles Athletic could hardly have been given a tougher start in the South section of the draw as they bid to retain the trophy first played for in 1947. They have been drawn against Inveraray at the Winterton in what could be the tie of the round. The sides drew 3-3 when they met at Yoker in what was Kyles’ penultimate game of the season. The result was a blow to Kyles’ title chances but the point won by Inveraray secured their league status for another season. This is likely to be another close affair.
The winner from the Inveraray, Kyles clash will travel to play the winners from the tie between Taynuilt and Glasgow Mid Argyll. This is Taynuilt’s first appearance in this Macaulay Association run competition and this is just reward for a team who has had an excellent season with Fraser Ingles at the helm. The teams had two close encounters in the league this year. They shared the points in a 4-4 draw at Yoker but Taynuilt won 5-3 on their own pitch with Michael MacQueen scoring four times.
Ballachulish and Bute meet at Jubilee Park. The home side has not featured in this competition over the last few years but they earned their place with a fifth place league finish as third place Lochside Rovers are unable to enter as they are Oban Camanachd’s second team. The Islanders ran eventual winners Kyles Athletic close before going down 4-3 at last year’s quarter final stage.
The winners from the Ballachulish, Bute meeting will travel to face the victors from the Glenorchy, Oban Camanachd game. Both these sides were relegated from the Scottish Hydro Premier Division last season and the Oban Camanachd came out on top following both league meetings although it took an Aiden MacIntyre double to give them a 2-1 win at Mart Park, Dalmally.
2011 runners up Newtonmore were the first winners of this competition and they have been handed a trip to Kirkton to play newly promoted Kinlochshiel in the North section of the draw. ‘More won 6-3 at Kirkton on their way to winning the 2011 Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup. However ‘Shiel were without wing centres Graham Morrison and Steven Callander that day and boss Johnston Gill would relish taking on the double winners with a full squad.
The winners of the Kinlochshiel, Newtonmore tie travel to face whoever comes through the meeting between Lovat and Fort William at Balgate. New boss Allan MacRae will be at the helm for Lovat and he will take encouragement from the fact that the sides shared the points in the league following a no-score draw at Balgate in April. Fort William ended 2011 without a trophy and that will be something they are keen to rectify and the cups may be their best bet as they continue to introduce some younger players to their first team squad.
The new Glenurquhart management team of Fraser MacKenzie and Drew McNeil welcome Kilmallie to Blairbeg. The sides met three times last season with Kilmallie winning twice at the Canal Parks but the Glen came out on top at Blairbeg so home advantage could be crucial for this one.
The winners from the Glenurquhart, Kilmallie clash will have home advantage against the victor from the Spean Bridge meeting between Lochaber and Kingussie. Lochaber will start next season as Marine Harvest North Division 1 title favourites and Michael Delaney’s side will provide a stiff test for a Kingussie team who are yet to name their new manager after Stevie Borthwick stood down.
The first round ties will be played on Saturday 12 May 2012 and the quarter finals will take place on Saturday 9 June 2012.
The semi finals will be on Saturday 7 July 2012 whilst the Artemis Macaulay Cup Final will be at Mossfield, Oban on Saturday 18 August 2012.