The Shinty Preview – Saturday 3 April 2010. | |
31 March 2010 The MacTavish Cup first round takes centre stage on Saturday 3 April 2010 although the winter weather may well affect the final shinty schedule.
When Fort William drew Kinlochshiel in the MacTavish Cup first round, they will have been reminded of the titanic battle between the sides at Kirkton in last season’s Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup. The eventual Camanachd Cup winners ran out 3-2 winners after extra time and they will be pleased that the MacTavish Cup draw has given them home advantage this time. John MacDonald and Chris Bamber returned to the Fort side for last week’s 6-0 demolition of Kingussie and John MacLeod may also be back in time for this one. The Fort look particularly strong in the middle of the park and their centre line of John MacDonald, Niall MacPhee and Gary Innes must rate as one of the strongest in the country. Kinlochshiel will take inspiration from last season’s performance against the Fort but they will go into the match without international Finlay MacRae who received a 2 match ban for his sending off against Caberfeidh a fortnight ago.
Lochcarron and Skye Camanachd meet in a west coast derby at Battery Park. Skye have picked up 3 points out of 4 on the road already this season although manager Aonghas MacDonald is well aware that his side went out of the 2009 Balliemore Cup at the same venue around this time last year. He will also go into this game without several injured players and the additional blow that playmaker Somhairle MacDonald is unavailable. Lochcarron had a morale boosting 2-1 win against Strathglass at Cannich last weekend which was a good start to Murdo John Fraser’s reign as first team manager.
The winners of the tie between Lochcarron and Skye Camanachd will host the winners of the clash between Fort William and Kinlochshiel in the quarter finals.
Kingussie manager Stevie Borthwick will keep faith with his young players when his side travel to Blairbeg to play Glenurquhart. Borthwick firmly believes that the introduction of young players into the side is the way forward for a club who have relied on a hardcore of experienced players for some years now. Kingussie sit in the unusual position of third bottom in the table although they do have a game in hand against second bottom Lovat. Glenurquhart beat Lovat in the league last weekend and they will fancy their chances of eliminating last season’s MacTavish Cup runners up from the competition.
Lovat head for the Eilan to play a Newtonmore side who remain the only undefeated team in shinty’s top division. There has been heavy snow in the Badenoch area once again so a venue switch is a possibility for this one.
There is the potential for a Badenoch derby in the next round as the winners of the tie between Newtonmore and Lovat will enjoy home advantage over the victors from the clash between Glenurquhart and Kingussie.
Inverness are unlikely to be looking forward to their trip to Spean Bridge to face Lochaber. Ally Ferguson’s side beat the team from the capital 11-0 at the Bught Park, Inverness last weekend with his 4 forwards sharing all the goals between them. Steve Munro’s Inverness side will see the game as a chance to restore some pride.
Strathglass have made a disappointing start to the season and the games don’t get any easier as Kilmallie make the journey to Cannich. Kilmallie were also in cup action last weekend when it took them extra time to beat a spirited Beauly side.
The winners of the tie between Lochaber and Inverness will travel to play Strathglass or Kilmallie.
Both Beauly and Caberfeidh received byes in the first round and the sides have been drawn against each other at Braeview Park in the quarter finals.
There are two ties in the first round of the Glasgow Celtic Society Cup. Glasgow Mid Argyll have some respite from league action as they meet newly promoted Marine Harvest National South Division 1 side Taynuilt at Yoker.
Kilmory will look to get over the disappointment of last weekend’s Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup defeat to Kinlochshiel when they host Ballachulish.
There is one match in Marine Harvest North Division 1 and Caberfeidh can increase their lead at the top the league with victory over Beauly at Castle Leod.
There is also only one match in Marine Harvest South Division 1 where recently relegated Glenorchy are showing their determination to make a speedy return to the top flight with 2 wins from their opening 2 games. Victory over bottom side Inveraray at Dalmally will put them top of the table. However this could prove to be a tricky tie as the Inveraray first team does not have a fixture so they may take the opportunity to field some of their senior squad fringe players.
There is a full programme scheduled in Marine Harvest North Division 2. Surprise joint league leaders Glengarry head for Braeview Park to take on recently promoted Beauly who lie in seventh place.
The match between fifth place Fort William and joint leaders Glenurquhart has a 12pm throw up as it precedes the MacTavish Cup meeting between the Fort William first team and Kinlochshiel. The cup tie will take precedent if An Aird is deemed unable to take both matches.
There is a west coast derby at Kirkton where Kinlochshiel and Skye Camanachd meet. Shiel won the corresponding fixture last season and Willie MacRae and Alasdair Bruce will look after the Skye side as manager Davie MacVicar is on holiday.
Lovat and Kilmallie meet at Balgate.
There is a reserve Badenoch derby at the Dell where third place Kingussie meet sixth place Newtonmore. The visitors’ full forward David Wilde has found the back of the net 7 times in his side’s last 2 matches with all the goals coming in the second half. This match is subject to recent poor weather.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 leaders Kyles Athletic take on fourth place Aberdour at Tighnabruaich. Kyles might be 2 points ahead of Aberdour in the league but Aberdour have a game in hand.
Second place Col Glen host Strachur who are just a point behind them in the league.
Bottom club Bute play third place Glasgow Mid Argyll in Rothesay.
Marine Harvest North Division 3 leaders Aberdeen University are not in action, nor are second place Lochaber. So third place Caberfeidh have the chance to top the table if they can overcome Inverness at the Bught Park.
Lochcarron and Strathglass are scheduled to meet at Battery Park in a 12 noon throw up. However the MacTavish Cup tie between Lochcarron and Skye Camanachd which takes place later in the day will take priority if the pitch can only take one game.
Lochaber and Lochbroom meet at Spean Bridge in an 11.30am throw up. Again the MacTavish Cup tie between Lochaber and Inverness which takes place later in the day will take priority if the pitch can only take one game.
Boleskine and Ardnamurchan met at Farr. |