The Big Shinty Preview | |
01 March 2023 The waiting is almost over as the new shinty season begins on Saturday 4 March 2023.
Mowi Premiership Oban Camanachd v Newtonmore Oban Camanachd welcome Newtonmore to Mossfield for their curtain-raiser. The sides met twice towards the end of last season, each winning their home game 1-0. Oban Camanachd are without Blair McFarlane who completes the rugby season with Oban Lorne whilst Scott MacMillan starts a two-game ban. Former Oban Celtic player Jamie Forgrieve will have to wait for his competitive debut as he serves a one-game ban whilst Daniel MacCuish’s return from a season playing football with Oban Saints is a major boost. Newtonmore’s Steven Macdonald begins a two-match suspension whilst captain Conor Jones is injured. Former Lochaber player Max Campbell will not play for ‘More this term.
Kinlochshiel v Skye Camanachd Kinlochshiel take on newly promoted neighbours Skye Camanachd in a west coast derby at Rèaraig. Both teams have new additions with new ‘Shiel boss Willie MacRae welcoming Oliver MacRae and Jonnie MacAskill back from a spell with Glasgow Mid Argyll. Rhuairaidh MacDonald had a brief stint with ‘Shiel in 2020 and he also returns, signing from Glengarry. Skye also boosted their numbers during the close season with Sam Stubbs signing from Lovat and Kenny Cushnie from Lochcarron. However, Glasgow-based Will Cowie has joined Kyles whilst Somhairle MacDonald and Chris Rose have retired. Skye boss Kenny MacLeod also has defensive concerns with John Gillies and Martin Pringle both out with ankle injuries.
Glasgow Mid Argyll v Kyles Athletic The high-point of Glasgow Mid Argyll’s 2022 season was their Glasgow Celtic Society Cup Final win over Kyles Athletic at Peterson Park and the sides meet again at the same venue on the opening day of the new shinty season. GMA have lost Oliver MacRae and Jonnie MacAskill whilst Kyles have added quality to their squad, capturing Will Cowie from Skye Camanachd and John Kennedy from Inveraray.
Caberfeidh v Lovat It’s a home competitive debut for new Caberfeidh manager Garry Reid as his side take on Lovat at Castle Leod. Reid has added Connor Golabek (from Glenurquhart) to his squad but has concerns over keeper Iain McColl who picked up a back injury during the preseason. Lovat manager Jamie Matheson will be keen to get off to a good start and he will keep an eye on Scotland forward Greg Matheson who is managing a hamstring injury.
It is Kingussie’s designated “Free Saturday” so newly promoted Beauly will have to wait a week to make their Mowi Premiership debut.
Mowi National Division Fort William v Glenurquhart Davie Stewart stays on as Glenurquhart boss and he hopes to have Ryan Porter more available this season.
Strathglass v Kilmallie Johnny Morrison’s return as Kilmallie manager begins with a journey to Cannich to take on Strathglass. Former Kilmallie first team manager Martin Stewart is looking to play again on a regular basis whilst Thomas MacLean captains Strathglass.
Col Glen v Oban Celtic Newly promoted Col Glen face Oban Celtic at Glendaruel. This is Col Glen’s first season at national level and they have snapped up Cluanie Fraser from Kingussie. Dougie MacIntyre stays on as Oban Celtic manager as his side look to better last season’s sixth placed finish.
Inveraray v Lochaber Lochaber are without Barry MacDonald who has moved abroad for a spell, but Stuart Callison has returned.
Mowi North Division 1 Champions Newtonmore seconds have a difficult opening game as Glengarry, who finished third in the division last season, visit the Eilan.
Glenurquhart v Fort William The Glenurquhart reserves and the Fort William reserves are in action at Blairbeg. The sides played out a goalless draw at the same venue last June although the Fort played most of the match with eleven players.
Skye Camanachd v Kinlochshiel There is a reserve team west coast derby when Skye Camanachd and Kinlochshiel draw swords at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. It is a first season in charge for new Skye boss Willie MacDonald who takes over from Ally MacDonald. Mowi national under-14 player of the year Iain MacInnes will get plenty game time this season. Ross MacMillan remains in charge at ‘Shiel.
Lovat v Inverness The Lovat colts, beaten finalists in both the HIS Sutherland Cup and Strathdearn Cup last season, and the Inverness first team, who were runners up in Mowi North Division 1, take the field at Balgate.
The Beauly seconds are without a fixture as it is the Kingussie second team’s “Free Saturday”.
Mowi South Division 1 Bute v Lochside Rovers Stephen Sloss has taken charge at Lochside, and he has a tough start to his reign against one of the title favourites.
Ballachulish v Glasgow Mid Argyll
Kyles Athletic v Aberdour
Newly promoted Ardnamurchan are without a match in this seven-team division.
Mowi North Division 2 Kilmallie v Strathglass The Kilmallie colts and the Strathglass colts meet at the Canal Parks. The sides drew at Cannich last season but Kilmallie were convincing winners on their own turf.
Lochaber v Lochcarron The Lochaber second team and Lochcarron meet at Spean Bridge. Manager Kenny Forsyth, assisted by Andrew Ferguson, have taken charge at Lochaber and they have snapped up former Fort William player Dean Williamson. Ryan Gunn captains the side. Lochcarron, relegated from Mowi North Division 1 at the end of last season, have lost Kenny Cushnie to Skye and their team selection will continue to be influenced by some players weekend working commitments.
Strathspey Camanachd v Lewis Camanachd Both sides are under new management this season as Strathspey Camanachd and Lewis Camanachd are paired in a 12.30pm throw up at Grantown Grammar School. Strathspey are led by a management team of Ulrica Ford, Iain MacKintosh and Matthew Davies, replacing Donald Colville, whilst Duncan MacIntyre is back in charge at Lewis Camanachd, replacing John MacAskill who led the side to a fourth place finish in the league last season.
Aberdeen University v Boleskine Aberdeen University return to their home at the Balgownie Playing Fields after a season playing at the Woodside Sports Complex. Their first opponents are Boleskine.
Inverness v Caberfeidh The Inverness second team welcome their Caberfeidh counterparts, relegated from North 1 at the end of last season, for a noon throw up at the Bught Park. Caberfeidh pair Aaron Grant and Reece Houston are out injured.
Mowi South Division 2 Oban Celtic v Tayforth Tayforth start their 50th season with a journey west to take on the Oban Celtic second team. Michael MacLeod skippers Tayforth whilst Duncan Martin is vice-captain. Oban Celtic will continue to use their second team to develop their younger players.
Strachur-Dunoon v Bute Strachur-Dunoon have home advantage against the Bute seconds. Strachur-Dunoon are without talisman Neil Bo Finlayson who has relocated to the Netherlands, but they hope to introduce youngers Hunter Black, who was with Col Glen last year, as well as James Morley and Thomas Dick. Jimmy Roy captains the side. Bute have their own batch of promising youngsters who they continue to field.
Kilmory v Inveraray Kilmory and Dunadd Camanachd recently completed the Foundation Level of the Camanachd Association Clubmark Accreditation Scheme and they have set promotion to Mowi South Division 1 as their number one target this season. The Inveraray seconds are again managed by Andrew McMurdo and captained by Ewan Donnan this season.
Aberdour v Uddingston The Aberdour seconds and Uddingston finished in the bottom two places in Mowi South Division 2 last season, and they clash at Silversands.
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