Lovat and Newtonmore meet in the 110th Camanachd Cup Final at The Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 30 September 2017.
Newtonmore boss Paul John MacKintosh has defensive decisions to make ahead of the final. Captain Rory Kennedy hasn’t played since suffering ankle ligament damage in a league match against Glasgow Mid Argyll seven weeks ago. Scottish international Steven MacDonald is suspended whilst Andy MacKintosh is injured so Ackie MacRae is the only first choice defender sure to start. Newtonmore keeper Norman Campbell was given a run out in his former position of full back in last week’s league win over Kilmallie whilst Michael Russell, David MacLean and Craig Ritchie are all players who could slot into the defence with ease.
Lovat manager Fraser Gallacher is delighted his players have come through their recent phase of fixtures unscathed. Marc MacLachlan made his debut after signing from Beauly in the semi-final against Oban Camanachd and ended up scoring the winning goal. MacLachlan knows where the back of the net is, scoring five goals in his five Lovat matches so far. However Lorne MacKay missed the semi-final through suspension so Gallacher will have to decide whether both can be accommodated or whether one starts on the bench.
Both teams currently sit level on 21 points after 16 games in the Marine Harvest Premiership. Newtonmore were early season winners when the sides met in the league at The Eilan whilst Lovat won the corresponding fixture at Balgate. Their most recent meeting came in July in an Artemis MacAulay Cup semi-final tie and it took an extra-time period before Newtonmore won 3-0.
Lovat are arguably the form team going into the final. They have been on a fine run since the Artemis MacAulay Cup defeat; winning all six of their matches since then. Newtonmore, in comparison, have played eight times since that day; winning four, drawing two and losing two.
Newtonmore and Lovat are the two most recent winners of the Camanachd Cup. Lovat have only tasted success twice whilst Newtonmore are record holders of the Camanachd Cup having won it on 31 occasions and this will be the first time these teams have met in the final.
Lovat went into the 2015 final knowing they had not lifted the famous trophy since the success of their all-conquering team in 1953. However they beat Kyles Athletic in the final two years ago and are now back in the final a mere 24 months later.
Newtonmore also know what it is like to lift the trophy after a long absence. When they beat local rivals Kingussie in 2011, it was their first triumph since 1986. Newtonmore have since won in 2013 and 2016 so go into the final as holders.
Lovat’s run to this year’s final began with a 3-0 replay win over local rivals Glenurquhart at Balgate after the sides had drawn 1-1 at Blairbeg. Kilmallie were defeated 3-1 at The Canal Parks in the last-eight of the competition with Oban Camanachd edged out 2-1 in the semi-finals at An Aird.
Newtonmore opened with a 3-1 win over Fort William at An Aird. Kyles Athletic were beaten 4-1 at The Eilan in the quarter-finals whilst ‘More beat Skye by the same score in the last four of the competition at The Bught Park.
Lachie Wood will be the match referee and he will be assisted by goal judges Willie MacDonald and Calum Girvan. The linesmen will be Brian MacKay, Andy MacLean, Martin MacLean and Scott McNeil whilst John Angus Gillies is the fourth official.
If you can’t make it to An Aird for “Shinty’s Big Day”, the match will be screened live on BBC 2 Scotland with coverage starting at 1.45pm. Match commentary will come from Hugh Dan MacLennan with summaries from Fraser Inglis.
The 2017 Camanachd Cup Final will be preceded by the MacMaster Cup Final between Lochaber U14 and Kingussie U14. Throw up is at 11am and Steven MacLachlan is the match referee.
Gates open from 10am and admission is £15 for Adults, £8 Concession and Under 12s go free when accompanied by a paying Adult.