The Shinty Preview – Saturday 2 March 2013 | |
27 February 2013 The new shinty season throws up on Saturday 2 March 2013 as clubs across the country compete for qualifying places for the new league structure which is set to be introduced from the start of the 2014 shinty season.
Orion Group Premiership Newtonmore v Glenurquhart Orion Group Premiership champions Newtonmore begin their quest for four titles in a row when they play Glenurquhart at the Eilan. The sides met in a friendly at the same venue last week which ‘More won 3-0 but that is likely to have little bearing on this one, especially as Glenurquhart fielded an experimental line-up and will be more along familiar lines this weekend. Paul John MacKintosh has taken over from Norman MacArthur as ‘More manager and he will have to do without the services of Evan Menzies who has moved abroad for a year. However he has a very powerful squad at his disposal with this year’s captain Jamie Robinson fit after missing a chunk of last season through injury. Scottish international Steven MacDonald is likely to feature in attack which just adds to the Eilan men’s fire-power. Glenurquhart co-managers Fraser MacKenzie and Drew McNeil will be out to build on last terms Artemis Macaulay Cup success but they will start the season without Neale Reid who is recovering from a broken arm sustained playing for the Scotland U21s in Ireland at the end of last season. However Ewan Brady has re-joined the club from Glengarry. James MacPherson’s work commitments could mean that he is not available every week so Brady could get the chance to shine. The Glen have a strong rear-guard with John Barr, Ally MacKintosh, Lewis MacLennan and Andrew Corrigan providing a formidable barrier in front of Scotland keeper Stuart MacKintosh.
Kyles Athletic v Oban Camanachd Kyles Athletic welcome newly promoted Oban Camanachd to Tighnabruaich. Roberto Zavaroni has added to Kyles striking options by joining from Bute. Defender Sandy MacVicar made his return from a serious hand injury during the pre-season which is another plus for Norman MacDonald and James Perlich. Playmaker Grant Irvine also missed most of last season through injury but is nearing a return to competitive shinty. It could hardly be a tougher start for Gussie Campbell’s Oban Camanachd side in what is their return to shinty’s top flight. Campbell hopes to have convinced Lewis Cameron to return to shinty after a spell playing football. David MacInnes could return in defence whilst youngster Craig MacDougall has shone during the pre-season he will be on the fringes of the first team squad. However attacker Aidan McIntyre is not likely to be available this season.
Lochaber v Lovat Lochaber start their campaign back in the Orion Group Premiership against Lovat at Spean Bridge. Lochaber boss Michael Delaney had thought he would be without defender James MacRae for most of the season but he may be able to play some games. Youngsters Danny Delaney and Duncan MacKinnon will both miss the early part of the season through injury. MacKinnon, with a collarbone injury, will be out the longer. Lovat boss Allan MacRae has probably pulled off the signing coup of the pre-season by securing the services of Kevin Bartlett from Caberfeidh. However he will be without forward Euan Ferguson for at least the early part of the season because of work commitments. Defender Callum Cruden is a doubt for this one after picking up an ankle injury in the Thomas Ferguson Memorial Cup win over Skye last weekend. Scotland U21 marksman Greg Matheson will be a key figure once again this season.
Inveraray v Fort William Inveraray host Fort William at the Winterton. Inveraray have been on the search for a new manager since John Smylie stepped down at the end of last season. They will start the 2013 shinty season with senior players Garry MacPherson and Graham MacPherson sharing an interim player/manager role. They have lost experienced players Ruaridh Graham, Scott Robertson and Russell MacKinlay who all intimated that they would retire at the end of last season. Forward Euan McMurdo is a doubt because of work commitments. Victor Smith and Addie Robertson take over from Peter McIntyre at Fort William and it looks as if they will also have to do without some familiar faces as Bryan Simpson, Alex Duncan and Duncan Rodger have intimated that they will be available for the Fort this season whilst John MacDonald has returned to Ballachulish. Young midfielder Arran MacPhee is nearing a return from a broken collarbone and we should see more appearances from Gary Innes this season. Chris Bamber has been in good form pre-season but Steven Stewart will sit this one out as he serves a one match ban for a points’ accumulation.
Kinlochshiel v Kingussie The final top division fixture sees Kinlochshiel host Kingussie at Kirkton. Home boss Johnston Gill will have to do without the services of keeper Graham Kennedy for the early part of the season as he is building a house so Scott Kennedy will continue to deputise in goal. Defender Calum MacLean will also be unavailable for the first part of the season but Gill has been able to add to the squad with the signing of Inverness stalwart Davie Glass. Promising youngsters Jordan Fraser and Donald Nixon are also likely to see more first team action. Russell Jones and Davie Anderson have been named Kingussie co-managers and they have Thomas Borthwick back after a spell abroad. Defender Iain Borthwick has retired after suffering a series of injuries and Ronald Ross will miss the early part of the season. Russell Menzies took over in goal from Andrew Borthwick for the Kingussie pre-season programme.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Skye Camanachd v Inverness Willie MacRae goes into his second term as Skye manager boosted by the news that Kenny Campbell is set to return to the fold after a spell in Australia and he should join the squad before the end of March. Kenny MacLeod has re-joined the club after moving back to Skye after a spell with Aberdeen University. Defender Shockie MacLennan will have to sit this one out after a booking in the final game of last season took him over the suspension threshold and Chris Rose is a doubt with a foot injury sustained in last weekend’s clash with Lovat. It has been a turbulent pre-season for Inverness. Callum McLeod, who spent just 6 months as first team manager, stepped down as manager just four weeks ahead of the start of the new campaign. Allan MacLeod has been promoted from second team manager to be MacLeod’s replacement. The capital club signed Mark Sproule from Lochcarron after the west coast side decided to field just one team this year which will compete in Marine Harvest North Division 3. However Inverness stalwart Davie Glass has switched elegancies to Kinlochshiel. Scott Douglas has re-joined Strathglass and Euan MacLeod has emigrated. However James Ross has opted to stay following speculation that he would also move elsewhere.
Kilmallie v Beauly The clash between Kilmallie and Beauly should be billed as the match of the day in this division. Duncan Kelly takes over as first team manager at Kilmallie who dropped out of shinty’s top flight at the end of last season. Kelly takes plenty experience to the role having previously managed Lochaber and the Scotland senior side. However he will have to do without Liam MacDonald for the first couple of weeks of the season as he sustained a broken hand pre-season. Euan Stoddart will also be missing as he has moved abroad. However the Blues have had good numbers at training and will difficult opponents for all teams in the division. Beauly co-managers Stephen MacLean and Iain Morrison set themselves a tough pre-season programme against top division opposition in Glenurquhart, Kingussie and Fort William and they are also serious title contenders. We can expect to see more first team action for Martin Davidson, Conor Ross and Sean Stewart who all played in the Strathdearn Cup winning second team last season.
Strathglass v Caberfeidh Strathglass and Caberfeidh meet at Cannich. Callum Duff and Innes Simpson take over from Robert Geddes in the Strathglass hot-seat. Scott Douglas returns to the club from Inverness whilst Beauly U17 keeper Josh Grant has also joined and he will provide competition for the experienced Stevie MacLauchlan. However the Cannich side suffered a real blow when defender Donald Fraser suffered a serious hamstring injury during a pre-season game against Glenurquhart and he could be absent for several weeks. Mark MacLeod will also miss the early part of the season after picking up a knee injury. Caberfeidh suffered a blow ahead of the start of the season with the news that Scottish international Kevin Bartlett has joined Orion Group Premiership side Lovat. They have also lost defender Ewen Murray who is now based in the South. Cabers will also be without Stuart Kryzanowski and Gary MacLennan who have indicated that they will not be playing shinty this term. Influential defender Brian MacDonald is struggling with injury problems so it could be a transitional year for the Castle Leod men.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Taynuilt v Glasgow Mid Argyll Taynuilt have home advantage against Glasgow Mid Argyll. The home side will be without Michael MacQueen who has joined Lochside Rovers. Mid Argyll enjoyed a morale-boosting trip to Ireland last week and they have made some interesting new additions to their squad. Ewen Murray has joined from Caberfeidh with Ben Dalgety switching from Lochcarron. The Glasgow side have also signed John Fraser from Boleskine but he broke his wrist in a pre-season friendly against Inveraray and so will be missing for the opening weeks of the season.
Glenorchy v Aberdour Glenorchy host Aberdour. Glenorchy finished third in Marine Harvest South Division 1 last season and they will also be targeting a third place finish this term so that they qualify for the new national second tier league in 2014. Aberdour may have again finished bottom of the table last season but the club is on sound footing with a youth set-up which many clubs would be proud of.
Lochside Rovers v Kilmory Kilmory head to Oban to play Lochside Rovers. Brian MacCallum has already been amongst the goals for the home side this pre-season. The visitors are without Bruce Johnston because of a suspension carried forward from the end of last season.
Oban Celtic v Strachur Oban Celtic are at home to Strachur. The home side will be without Gavin Stobbart who returns to Oban Camanachd. Strachur finished just one place and two points behind Oban Celtic in the league last season.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Glenurquhart v Newtonmore Glenurquhart and Newtonmore clash at Blairbeg. Iain MacLeod’s Glen side will continue to be a strong mix of youth and experience with both sides starting the season as early title favourites. Reigning champions Newtonmore will be without defender Brett Munro who has moved abroad and Conor Jones is suspended. Managers Cammy MacDonald and Glen Tonkin are likely to give more game time to North U14 forward Sam Richardson and another impressive youngster, Craig Ritchie. Martin Hall will be another valuable addition to the squad after making a scoring, pre-season return to shinty after a spell away from the game.
Kingussie v Kinlochshiel Kingussie play Kinlochshiel at the Dell. There will be changes to Michael Falconer’s Kingussie side as several of the club’s promising youngsters such as Rory MacKeachan, Bob MacGregor and Savio Genini have been promoted to the first team squad. ‘Shiel will be without the services of Steven Isles who has moved abroad and regular full back Scott Kennedy who will be between the posts for the first team.
Lovat v Skye Camanachd Lovat and Skye Camanachd meet at Balgate. The experienced Graeme MacMillan takes over the Lovat second team and will provide guidance for their younger players. He made a winning start last weekend as his side beat Fort William colts 6-0. Youngster Danny Kelly is a very promising defender and with the experienced duo of Martin Bell in midfield and Fraser Gallacher in attack, it could be a promising season for the Balgate reserve side. Skye Camanachd second team manager Murdo Morrison will have to do without the services of young defender Ally “Spod” MacLeod and young forward Will Cowie who have both stepped up to the first team squad.
Fort William v Beauly Fort William welcome Beauly to An Aird. Fort William will turn to their youth system as some regulars move up to the first team. Beauly were promoted after winning North Division 3 and the Strathdearn Cup last season. Similarly, several of their 2012 team are likely to feature in the first team this term.
Glengarry v Aberdeen University Glengarry face Aberdeen University at Craigard. Glengarry are without Ewan Brady who has returned to Glenurquhart and Steven Cameron is not likely to play after a serious injury last season. Aberdeen University will put out a changed side with keeper Terry Stebbings and former Skye Camanachd duo Kenny MacLeod and Kieron Roberts no longer in their ranks.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Tayforth v Kyles Athletic Tayforth have home advantage against Kyles Athletic. The home side celebrate their 40th year this season with several events planned throughout the year. The prolific Roddy MacColl will once again provide Kyles’ main goal threat.
Ballachulish v Bute Ballachulish have completed impressive pre-season preparations and they welcome Bute to Jubilee Park. Former Fort William player John MacDonald returns to his home club Ballachulish and former Lovat player Craig Munro takes over as manager. Scott Henderson returns after spending last season with Fort William. David Campbell is also back at the club after a spell with Newtonmore but injury will rule him out of the opening games. David Kilpatrick's Bute side will start as under-dogs and they will have several debutants in their squad.
Glasgow Mid Argyll v Inveraray The Glasgow Mid Argyll and Inveraray reserve sides meet at Yoker. GMA finished bottom of the table last season with Inveraray two places and seven points better off.
Aberdour v Col Glen Aberdour open their season against Col Glen in Fife. Both sides had big home wins when the clubs met last season.
Marine Harvest North Division 3 Lochcarron v Lochbroom There is a derby match at Battery Park where Lochcarron and Lochbroom clash. Lochcarron have dropped to one club this season as they rebuild for the future. They will be managed this season by veteran Gregor Cushnie and club President Kenny Murray. Former Kinlochshiel player Neil Fraser is Lochbroom’s danger-man and he has been on target already this pre-season.
Strathspey v Lochaber Freuchie Park is the venue for Strathspey’s meeting with Lochaber. Strathspey had a morale-boosting pre-season 3-3 draw with Kingussie. The Lochaber reserves will be managed this year by former Spean Bridge first team boss and former Scotland Head Coach Ally Ferguson. Ferguson also looks after the club’s U17 side so expect several of the club’s promising youngsters to feature for the reserves this season.
Caberfeidh v Kilmallie Caberfeidh meet Kilmallie at Castle Leod. Cabers won’t be able to call on the services of veteran Archie Ritchie this season as he has joined the ranks of Camanachd Association referees. The sides met on the opening day of last season when a Nick Lavin double gave Kilmallie a 2-0 win and they also won 4-1 at Castle Leod later in the season.
Boleskine v Lewis Camanachd Boleskine play Lewis Camanachd at Farr. Boleskine full back Graham Black is suspended after receiving a red card against Beauly towards the end of last season. Iain Sinclair takes over as Lewis manager from Paul Duke who has been named as the Islanders club captain. Lewis hope to have full back Daniel Gallagher back following an ankle injury sustained in a pre-season meeting with Lochbroom. Throw up is at the earlier time of 1pm.
Inverness v Strathglass The Inverness and Strathglass second teams battle it out at the Bught Park. These sides finished in the bottom two places in the division last year and Strathglass will continue to give youth a chance this season. With Allan MacLeod stepping up to take charge of the Inverness second team, recently appointed second team assistant manager Kenny Loades now finds himself in the manager’s seat. Craig Girvan is available again for Inverness after a spell playing basketball and the club gave debuts to around half a dozen youth players during the pre-season. |