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

Speaking on Cuillin FM’s “Camanachd Live” show after his team’s Artemis Macaulay Cup quarter final win over Kinlochshiel at Kirkton last weekend, Lovat manager Allan MacRae said, “Well the big games are coming thick and fast for us just now but everyone in the area is really looking forward to the final. It will be a great occasion and it’s sure to attract a big crowd.”

The Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup defeat to Kingussie is Lovat’s only defeat this season. They are in second place in the Orion Group Premiership and they also have an Artemis Macaulay Cup semi final to look forward to. MacRae’s said, “Our success is probably built on having a tight defence and having players who work very hard throughout the team.”

However MacRae will have to do without forward Lorne MacKay, who has already scored three times in the tournament, as a yellow card against Kingussie a fortnight ago has triggered a one match ban for a points accumulation so he misses the final. “It’s a real shame for Lorne,” said MacRae. “To miss a cup final is a heavy price to pay for three bookings and you could see that it affected him after he was booked in the game against Kingussie. However he will be there on the day, cheering us on, and he is a big part of our plans this season.”

A positive for the Balgate men is the return of Scottish international Kevin Bartlett from holiday and he will go straight into the squad. “Yes, Kevin will be back,” said MacRae. “That is real bonus for us as he’s a very good player and he has missed our last three matches.”

Lovat captain Callum Cruden is another who can’t wait for Saturday to arrive. He said, “Making the Co-operative MacTavish Cup Final is the highlight of a great season so far for Lovat and the entire Club and local community are looking forward to it. We have defeated Glenurquhart already this season in the league however they have had victories over strong teams so there are no favourites; I am in no doubt that both sides will be on top form and it will be a cracking match.”

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).