The Artemis Macaulay Cup Final in Oban between Kingussie and Inveraray is the main event on Saturday 21 August 2010.
Kingussie and Inveraray meet at Mossfield, Oban in the final of the Artemis Macaulay Cup. The clash is a repeat of last season’s final which was won by Inveraray. It also brings together the winners of the 2010 regional cup competitions – the MacTavish and Glasgow Celtic Society Cups. Kingussie’s Ronal Ross miss last weekend’s win over Oban Camanachd with a knee injury but he returns for this one. Iain Borthwick is battling back to fitness following a horrendous run of injuries but manager Stevie Borthwick must decide whether his lack of match practice prevents his inclusion in the starting line-up. Inveraray manager John Smylie takes David MacPherson back into his squad after he missed most of the season through illness. The final is live on BBC 2 Scotland and throws up at the slightly earlier time of 2.25pm.
There is one match in the Scottish Hydro Premier Division. Fort William have the chance to go level on points with leaders Newtonmore when they play Glenurquhart at An Aird. Indeed the Fort will go top on goal difference if they win by 3 clear goals or more. Fort manager Peter MacIntyre will be without injured forwards Drew Ferguson and Bryan Simpson. Glenurquhart will be without the suspended Calum Fraser.
The match of the day in Marine Harvest North Division 1 is at Canal Parks where leaders Kilmallie host Lochaber. This promises to be a cracker and a win for the visitors would put them in a strong position to make an immediate return to shinty’s top flight. Michael Delaney’s side had veteran Angus Morrison in goal last weekend against Skye Camanachd in place of the unavailable Jake Keenan. Wing back Danny Delaney has been an absentee since the Balliemore Cup Final with a hamstring problem. Kilmallie’s tough defender Peter Carmichael is on holiday and so he misses out.
There is a local derby at Kirkton where Kinlochshiel meet Skye Camanachd. Both sides have slipped behind in the championship race and are likely to feature a few younger players in order to build their squads for next season. This match takes place on Friday evening with a 6.45pm throw up.
Inverness and Beauly meet in league duty for the second consecutive Saturday. The sides drew 1-1 at Braeview Park last weekend and their meeting at the Bught will likely be another close affair.
Lochcarron make the short journey to Castle Leod to play Caberfeidh. Cabers haven’t played in the league for 3 weeks. The sides had an exciting 3-3 draw when they met at Battery Park in May.
Third top Kilmory were to have hosted third bottom Taynuilt in Marine Harvest South Division 1. However the match has been postponed because of the Artemis Macaulay Cup Final.
Ballachulish and Lochside Rovers meet at Jubilee Park. Ballachulish hit-man David MacPhee bagged a hat-trick against Inveraray last weekend whilst Lochside have gone with a younger squad than last season.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 leaders Glengarry make the short journey to An Aird to play Fort William in a noon throw up. This will be a test of Glengarry’s title aspirations with reigning champions Glenurquhart breathing down their necks. Glengarry look to have the tougher run-in and they face a Fort side who seem to have found a bit of consistency in team selection since Daniel Stewart’s return.
Second place Glenurquhart play Kilmallie at Blairbeg. The Glen will start as favourites and they were ruthless in front of goal in last week’s victory over Beauly. However their playmaker Ruaraidh Cameron is still out with a hamstring problem. This match throws up at the earlier time of 1.30pm.
Ninth place Beauly and third place Newtonmore meet at Braeview Park. ‘More were 4-1 winners when the sides met in April.
Lovat play Kinlochshiel at Balgate. This should be a good match and both squads may be boosted by the fact that their first teams are not in action on the Saturday.
Champions Kyles Athletic travel to Fife to play second place Aberdour in the only match in Marine Harvest South Division 2. Kyles were 3-0 winners when the sides met earlier in the season.
Lochaber have the chance to narrow Aberdeen University’s lead at the top of the Marine Harvest North Division 3 when they play Boleskine at Spean Bridge. Lochaber will have been disappointed to lose to the Students last weekend and will be keen to make their games in hand count.
Inverness and Lochbroom have a noon throw up at the Bught Park. Lochbroom will be out to do the double after beating the side from the Highland Capital 2-0 last month.
Third place Caberfeidh welcome bottom side Ardnamurchan to Castle Leod. Cabers won 3-1 when the sides met on the opening day of the season.