Now that the 2018 shinty season has come to a close, we know which teams will participate in the 2019 Artemis Macaulay Cup competition and they won’t have to wait too long to find out their opponents.
This Macaulay Cup, first presented in 1947 by then Oban Times editor Flora Macaulay, is the only cup format in senior shinty to be played on a regional basis so guaranteeing a final between a South and North side.
Eligibility is mainly based on the previous year’s league placing and there is just one change from the South teams who competed last season as Col Glen replace Ballachulish.
There are just two South teams from last season’s Marine Harvest Premiership – Kyles Athletic and Oban Camanachd – as well as Inveraray, Glasgow Mid Argyll and Oban Celtic from the Marine Harvest National Division. Marine Harvest South 1 sides Bute, Aberdour and Col Glen make up the group.
There is also just one change in the North half of the draw with Kilmallie replacing Glenurquhart who will instead play in the Balliemore Cup following their relegation from shinty’s top flight.
The North will be represented by: Caberfeidh, Kilmallie, Kingussie, Kinlochshiel, Lochaber, Lovat, Newtonmore and Skye Camanachd.
The 2019 Artemis Macaulay Cup draw will be made live on Oban FM’s Sports Show on Saturday 8 December 2018. The South and North sections will be drawn right up to the semi-final stage. The Sports Show programme starts at 6pm.
The Artemis Macaulay Cup Final at Mossfield is usually televised live and Kinlochshiel are the current holders having beaten Kyles Athletic 3-2 in last season’s final.