The Shinty Preview. | |
25 June 2009 There is a place in the Balliemore Cup Final up for grabs on Saturday 27 June 2009. The sides relegated from last season’s National Premier League – Strathglass and Lovat – meet in Cannich for the chance to win a Balliemore Cup final place against Kinlochshiel. Both sides have 6 points from 5 league games and the teams have met twice in cup competitions already this season. Lovat had a 2-1 win at Balgate in the Camanachd Cup and they also enjoyed a memorable 8-7 win at the same venue in the MacTavish Cup. Strathglass will look to make home advantage count this time. The MacPhee & Partners MacAulay Cup first round tie between Newtonmore and Kingussie host Lochaber at the Dell in the Scottish Hydro Electric Premier League. Jimmy Gow rested many of his star players for last week’s Clash of the Camans and the likes of Ronald Ross, John Hutchison and Ally MacLeod amongst others are sure to return. This will be a stern test for the young Lochaber side. The Kings won at Marine Harvest Clash of the Camans winners Glenurquhart host Kyles Athletic surprised many with their 3-0 against Oban Camanachd at Mossfield last weekend in the Camanachd Cup as they killed off the home sides hopes of a place in the final on their home pitch. Kyles have a great chance to build on that result when they play bottom club Glenorchy at Tigh na Bruach. Marine Harvest North Division 1 leaders Skye Camanachd will face a stern test in their local derby against Kinlochshiel at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Skye had a 2-1 win at Kirkton earlier in the season and this one will be just as close. Skye are boosted by John Moir’s return after a 3 week absence but Somhairle MacDonald is missing. Both sides will have Marine Harvest National Players of the Year on show as U21 winner Steven Morrison plays for Skye and U17 winner Mark MacDonald plays for Shiel. Caberfeidh have a chance to build on their 3 league wins this season when Beauly visit Battery Park to play Lochcarron. Lochcarron sit bottom of the table with no points but they have still only played 2 games. Beauly’s return to form has coincided with the return of some key players and this match could be another close call. There is just one match in Marine Harvest South Division 1 as Tayforth make the trip to Ballachulish. Ballachulish won 4-2 in There is a fascinating top of the table clash in Marine Harvest North Division 2 as leaders Glenurquhart travel to An Aird to play second placed Third placed Lovat visit fourth placed Glengarry. Both sides are on 10 points and Lovat beat their opponents 2-1 at Balgate earlier in the season. There is a local derby between Kinlochshiel and Skye Camanachd at Kirkton. Both sides are in the bottom half of the table and will see this as an opportunity to gain some points. Caberfeidh host Kilmallie at Castle Leod. The home side are yet to pick up their first points of the season whilst Kilmallie are further up the table but they have made a slower start than last season. This match has a 12 noon throw up. In Marine Harvest South Division 2, leaders Strachur’s trip to Aberdour is off as the match has been postponed. Taynuilt sit in second place, a point behind the leaders but with 4 games in hand. With the leaders not in action, Taynuilt have the chance to make up some ground and with 5 wins from 5 games, they start as favourites. Bottom club Ballachulish’s home match with fourth placed Kyles Athletic has also been postponed. Third placed Col Glen cross the water to Marine Harvest North Division 3 leaders Second placed Lochbroom face a tricky trip to fourth placed Beauly. Lochbroom won the corresponding fixture by a single goal on the opening day of the season. Beauly have already beaten leaders Third placed Lochaber host fifth placed Strathglass. The Cannich side enjoyed a resounding 5-1 win over their Kincraig make an early start for the 12 noon throw up against Lochcarron at Battery Park. Lochcarron won the corresponding game 3-0 at the start of the season and they will start as favourites again. |