2015 Lovat Cup – Preview | |
01 January 2015 Holders Lovat head for Braeview Park to play Beauly in the Lovat Cup shinty clash on Friday 2 January 2015. A large crowd is guaranteed and those present will remember the shinty players from both clubs who lost their lives at the Battle of Festubert during World War 1 which took place a hundred years ago; in 1915. The players will be piped onto the field by Duncan MacGillivray and he played the tune “Beauly Shinty Club”, composed by former Beauly player Donald Paterson who lost his life during the Great War, as did his brother Alastair Paterson who captained Beauly to their 1903 Camanachd Cup success. Home manager Roger Cormack should be along usual lines. 2014 Senior Player of the Year David Neilson will be key as he marshals the defence. However Scott MacLeod, who had an injury-plagued 2014, is unlikely to be involved. Lovat boss Allan MacRae will be without Graeme MacMillan who could be out for some time as he recovers from a broken leg. Calum MacAulay has moved abroad whilst Craig Mainland and Fraser Gallacher face late fitness tests. There may be a return for Duncan Davidson whilst Drew Howie could also be involved at some stage, having recovered from injury which kept him out of the final fixtures of last season. Throw-up is at 1pm and Deek Cameron is the match referee.
Recent Meetings 2014 - A Greg Matheson double set Lovat on the way to a 4-1 at Balgate 12 months ago. 2013 - Beauly won 2-1 at Braeview Park in January 2013 when a Barrie MacDonald penalty gave them their first triumph since 2007. 2012 - A Greg Matheson brace helped Lovat to a 3-1 win at a wintery Balgate in 2012. 2011 - Matheson was also to prove to be a key figure a year earlier when, with Beauly just seconds away from lifting the trophy, an injury time strike from the Scotland U21 captain gave Lovat a 2-2 draw and they retained the trophy as holders. |