The draw for the 2011 Co-operative MacTavish Cup was made at the Co-op’s Telford Road, Inverness branch on Monday 7 February 2011.
Co-operative MacTavish Cup holders Kingussie received a bye in the first round and their captain Ronald Ross looked pleased with a draw which sees them avoid Newtonmore and Fort William should they progress to the semi finals. “We were delighted to lift The Co-operative MacTavish Cup last year, especially having lost out in the 2009 final,” said Ross, “and we are determined to hold on to it. Taking on teams outwith your own league is what makes cup competitions all the more exciting and we are very much looking forward to it.”
Lovat and Kinlochshiel meet at Balgate for the right to host Kingussie in the last 8 and although the sides recently played a friendly match at the same venue, that will have little bearing on this one.
Premier Division new boys Kilmallie host Glenurquhart at Canal Parks in the first round’s only all top division tie. Kilmallie were desperately unlucky to lose out to Kingussie in the 2010 final and they are a match for anyone on their own pitch. Lochaber, who also received a bye, lie in wait for the winners.
Beauly make the short trip to the Bught Park to play Inveness with the winners hosting either Newtonmore or Skye Camanachd who clash at the Eilan. Skye’s most famous day was a win over Newtonmore in the 1990 Camanachd Cup Final but it would be the shock of the round if they were able to repeat that victory in this competition.
Strathglass are another side with a tough challenge but they at least have home advantage against Fort William. The winners will be at home to whoever comes out on top in the derby match between Caberfeidh and Lochcarron at Castle Leod.
The home teams were drawn by Lorraine Christie, The Co-operative Food’s Regional Operations Manager, and Stuart Ramsay, member of The Co-operative Group’s Scotland and Northern Ireland Board, drew the away teams.
Lorraine Christie said “We are pleased to sponsor the competition once again, and it was an honour to be involved with the draw. Hopefully the ties we’ve drawn will provide some exciting shinty.” Camanachd Association Vice President and Director of Communications Donald Stewart, added, “Following on from their initial involvement in the 2010 final, we are delighted that The Co-op decided to continue with their sponsorship of The MacTavish Cup for 2011 and 2012 and I am in no doubt that today’s draw will make for some thrilling encounters over the coming months.”
The full draw is as follows:
First Round – Saturday 26 March 2011
Strathglass v Fort William
Inverness v Beauly
Caberfeidh v Lochcarron
Newtonmore v Skye
Kilmallie v Glenurquhart
Lovat v Kinlochshiel
Byes
Lochaber
Kingussie
Quarter Finals - Saturday 23 April 2011
Kingussie v Lovat / Kinlochshiel
Inverness / Beauly v Newtonmore / Skye
Kilmallie / Glenurquhart v Lochaber
Strathglass / Fort William v Caberfeidh / Lochcarron
Semi Finals – Saturday 14 May 2011
Strathglass / Fort William / Caberfeidh / Lochcarron
v
Inverness / Beauly / Newtonmore / Skye
Kingussie / Lovat / Kinlochshiel
v
Kilmallie / Glenurquhart / Lochaber
The Co-operative MacTavish Cup Final takes place on Saturday 18 June 2011 at the Bught Park. Inverness