The 2013 Co-operative MacTavish Cup Final between Glenurquhart and Lovat takes place at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 15 June 2013.

As his side get ready for one of shinty’s biggest days, Glenurquhart co-manager Fraser MacKenzie said, “Preparations have been up and down to be honest. Obviously going into the game on the back of two defeats to Lovat, and with their league position and form, makes them strong favourites. The loss of Lorne Mackay will be a blow to Lovat and he has hurt us in the past but they still have plenty of fire power up front and they will be boosted by the return of Kevin Bartlett.”

Co-managers Fraser MacKenzie and Drew Mcneil have other concerns too. “We have been dealt a bit of a blow with Paul Mackintosh and Andrew MacDonald being ruled out due to injury. Ruairidh Cameron is also injured but we will give him every chance to make the game. The biggest blow to us is the fact that we will probably lose our half back Andrew Corrigan who is offshore and doesn't look like being back in time; this has been a problem for us time and time again this season.”

MacKenzie expects a different final to the Glen’s Macaulay Cup triumph last year and his squad were boosted by reaching the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup quarter finals last weekend. He said, “It was very important that we got the win last week especially with Lovat winning at Kinlochshiel as you want to be going into the game with confidence and momentum. This will be a very different game to the MacAulay final last season as Oban Camanachd were top of South Division one at the time and Lovat are sitting second top of the Premier this time. Despite being the underdogs this time we will be well prepared and really looking forward to the game.”

The former Scotland Head Coach also feels the final will be good for the sport of shinty, adding, “It’s great for shinty to have some different teams competing for silverware as it was the same three or four teams for a long time picking up the major cups. There should be a large crowd at the Bught on Saturday as it’s a local derby and I really hope it’s a great advert for shinty, as long as Glenurquhart win.”

Glenurquhart captain Stuart MacKintosh experienced Artemis Macaulay Cup success last season and he is delighted to be centre stage once again. “We are all delighted to be back in a cup final so soon after last year’s success,” he said. “Knocking out Newtonmore in the semis was a huge achievement however we are under no illusions that we are faced with another tough task in the final, and of course there is the added element of taking on our neighbours. I am sure it will be a great match for spectators and hopefully for Glenurquhart too.”

Event Details

The 2013 Co-operative MacTavish Cup Final between Glenurquhart and Lovat throws up at 4.05pm. Deek Cameron is the match referee.

There will be a free “Co-operative Come and Try Shinty Festival” for 5-11 year olds as well as performances from the pipe band. There will also be local food and drink on sale throughout the day.

Earlier in the afternoon, Fort William U17 and Newtonmore U17 will play in the 2013 Co-operative MacTavish Juvenile Cup Final at the Bught Park, Inverness. Throw up is at 1pm and John Angus Gillies is the match referee.

Tickets are £10 for adults, £5 for concessions and under 12s go free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets will be on sale at the Bught Park, Inverness on the day and Camanachd Association members and Co-operative members can enjoy 20% off the ticket price by showing their membership card at the ticket office. Tickets are also on sale via the Eden Court Theatre Box Office. For further information, click on the following link Eden Court.

The whole match will be televised live on BBC Alba from 4pm. Hugh Dan MacLennan is the match commentator and BBC Alba can be found on: Sky Channel 143 (UK), Freeview / You View Channel 8 (Scotland only), Virgin Media Channel 188 (UK), Freesat Channel 110 (UK), BT Vision Channel 8 (Scotland only), Smallworld Chanel 170 (Ayrshire and North West England) and Live on BBC iPlayer (UK).