The Shinty Preview – Saturday 4 March 2017 | |
03 March 2017 The countdown is on ahead of the new shinty season which begins on Saturday 4 March 2017.
Marine Harvest Premiership Newtonmore v Lovat Champions Newtonmore open their bid for an eighth successive league title against Lovat at the Eilan. ‘More boss Paul John MacKintosh will be without defender Michael Russell for the start of the season. Russell’s work took him to Poland in September but he could be back in the fold by the middle of April. The ‘More defence will be further hit as Scotland defender Andy MacKintosh is banned for the Lovat match as his booking against Skye in the team’s final match of last season triggers a one match ban for passing through the disciplinary points threshold. Evan Menzies will also miss the opening games of the season as he is carrying out a full scale renovation on a house bought at the end of last year. However Menzies and Russell are both maintaining their fitness so both should be ready for action as soon as their availability allows. Another forward, Calum Stewart, returns from a spell abroad and the big news at the Eilan is the signing of David MacLean from Beauly. Paul John MacKintosh’s trusted lieutenant Iain MacKintosh has stepped down. Senior player Norman Campbell will be a sounding board for MacKintosh whilst Grant Munro will continue to play his role as one of the backroom staff. Rory Kennedy will captain Newtonmore for the 2017 shinty season. Lovat were the only team to beat Newtonmore last season, winning their Artemis Macaulay Cup tie at the Eilan after extra-time. Fraser Gallacher could not have been given a tougher start to his competitive tenure as Lovat first team manager. He is without Scotland international Kevin Bartlett who has returned to Caberfeidh and young defender Mark Kelly has a hand injury. Euan Ferguson is another absentee as he has relocated to England whilst Scotland U21 defender Michael MacKenzie will concentrate on his trial biking activities. Craig Mainland is fit after recovering from a serious shoulder injury. Scotland U17 player Scott MacKenzie established himself as a first team regular at the end of last season whilst Gallacher will hope that his captain Greg Matheson has put last season’s injury woes behind him. Graham Cameron is the match official for this game.
Kinlochshiel v Oban Camanachd Kinlochshiel and Oban Camanachd were two of Newtonmore’s main challengers last season and they meet at Kirkton. Johnston Gill is back in the Kinlochshiel hot-seat, taking over from Colin Fraser, and he will be assisted by Doe MacRae. ‘Shiel are minus John Don MacKenzie and Duncan “Ach” MacRae who have joined GMA. ‘Shiel don’t have the biggest squad so some of their promising youngsters will get the chance to stake a first team claim. It’s a big season for ‘Shiel as they look to build on last year’s successes whilst there is also the possibility of the club moving to their new pitch at Balmacara during the season. Oban Camanachd boss Iain Hay is without 2016 captain James MacMillan who has moved abroad whilst fellow defender Garry Lord is also out with a broken leg. Promising young defender Ross MacMillan has joined Oban Celtic whilst David Lafferty has been hampered by a serious knee injury. However Matt Rippon has rejoined the club and has been scoring goals during the pre-season. Connor Howe is also back following a spell in the States. Youth players Evan MacLellan, Lewis Buchanan and Daniel MacCuish have all taken his chance to shine during Oban Camanachd’s pre-season friendlies. Deek Cameron is the match referee for this one.
Lochaber v Kyles Athletic Lochaber and Kyles Athletic cross camans at Spean Bridge. Lochaber boss Ally Ferguson starts this term without seasoned campaigners Neil MacDonald and Lachlan Campbell who both retired from first team duty at the end of last season. Forward Ben Delaney is also unlikely to be available but Zandz Ferguson should feature more than he did last season whilst Jack Dignan continues to make progress on his return from injury. Kyles Athletic are another top flight club under new management. Long-term coach James Perlich is now in charge, taking over from Norman MacDonald. Kyles stalwart Kenny MacDonald will continue as part of the management team. Kyles were the only team to take league points off Newtonmore last season; drawing both their games. Archie Ritchie takes charge of proceedings at Spean Bridge.
Kilmallie v Glenurquhart Last year’s Marine Harvest National Division champions Kilmallie welcome Glenurquhart to the Canal Parks. It’s a case of one in and one out for Kilmallie boss Mark MacPherson. Forward Peter McIntyre has returned from a stint at Inveraray followed by a spell abroad. However Scotland international Liam MacDonald will be sidelined for the early part of the season at least, hoping that a period of rest will cure a persistent knee problem. Otherwise, MacPherson will rely on the squad which did the National Division and Balliemore Cup double last season. Iain MacLeod replaces co-managers Billy MacLean and Dave Menzies at Glenurquhart. The Glen have fitness concerns over keeper Stuart MacKintosh who underwent a knee operation towards the end of last season. Club Chairman Garry MacKintosh deputised during most of the pre-season. Lewis MacLennan has relocated to the Isle of Muck where he is a gamekeeper but he may still feature this year. Ally MacKintosh looks to be fit again but David Smart is still sidelined. Daniel MacKintosh has looked lively in front of goal during the pre-season games. Robert Baxter will referee this encounter.
Glasgow Mid Argyll v Kingussie Glasgow Mid Argyll return to the Premiership for the first time since 2010 and they play Kingussie at Yoker. GMA boss George Hay has made some additions to his squad with John Don MacKenzie returning after his second spell at Kinlochshiel. MacKenzie’s ‘Shiel team-mate Duncan “Ach” MacRae has also signed on at GMA with former Lochside Rovers keeper Robert Dunnings and ex-Glenurquhart defender Stuart Reid making up a quartet of new signings. This will be Dallas Young’s first competitive match as Kingussie boss after he and his assistant Russell Dallas took over from co-managers Russell Jones and Davie Anderson. The Kings are likely to be without Scotland attacker Thomas Borthwick whilst Fraser Munro won’t be available for the early part of the season at least. Young will hope new first team captain Ryan Borthwick is fully recovered from the back problems which dogged him last season, especially after he was forced off in last weekend’s friendly match against Skye. Savio Genini is also an injury doubt for this one. David Mitchell is the man in the middle.
Marine Harvest National Division Oban Celtic v Fort William Oban Celtic and Fort William are both new to the Marine Harvest National Division for different reasons. Oban Celtic take their place in the division as Marine Harvest South Division 1 champions whilst Fort William were relegated from the top flight at the end of last season. Oban Celtic manager Kenny Wotherspoon has made changes to his title winning squad. Ewan MacCorquodale will play his shinty at Oban Lorn this coming season whilst Fraser Macmillan has returned to Taynuilt. However Ross MacMillan has joined the club from Oban Camanachd whilst former Glenorchy defender Fulton Ronald and experienced Andrew Hunt from Strachur have also signed up. Fort William co-managers Victor Smith and Adam Robertson have made 2016 club player of the year James Tangney their captain for the season ahead. They will hope that Arran MacPhee and Jack Fraser have put their injury difficulties behind them whilst youngsters Seamus Gall and Lachie Shaw could force their way into the first team plans.
Skye Camanachd v Inverness Skye Camanachd begin the season with the visit of Inverness to Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Skye, also relegated from the Premiership at the end of 2016, are under new management with co-managers Willie Cowie and Peter Gordon taking over from John MacLeod. Iain MacLeod will be in goal in place of Jamie Gannon whilst Shockie MacLennan has also returned to the squad after missing most of last season. Chris MacLennan will miss the opening couple of months of the season because of university studies. Steven Morrison is a weekend injury doubt for the Islanders. He missed the pre-season friendly defeat to Kingussie with a groin strain whilst Shockie MacLennan has a back problem. Inverness manager Drew McNeil has added former Taynuilt player Ewan Neilson to his squad and he scored on his debut in a friendly meeting with Newtonmore. Inverness will have to do without the experienced Davie Glass as a booking against Bute in the Highland Capital side’s last game of the season has led to a one game ban.
Inveraray v Beauly Inveraray were to open their season with a match against Bute at the Winterton but the Islanders’ decision to drop down a division means Beauly, who were to be the original nine team league’s free team, take their place. There are changes at Inveraray with veterans David Robertson and Andrew McMurdo stepping down from first team duty. David MacPherson will divide his time between the first and second teams so expect a number of the club’s promising youngsters to burst on to the first team scene. New Beauly boss Alan MacRae has signed former Glenurquhart and Inverness player Liam Girvan. However Ryan MacKay and Kenneth MacKenzie have moved to Caberfeidh and David MacLean will be difficult to replace following his decision to join Newtonmore. Barrie MacDonald is sidelined as he recovers from a knee operation.
Strathglass v Caberfeidh Strathglass welcome Caberfeidh to Cannich. Strathglass finished second in Marine Harvest North Division 1 at the end of last season with the Newtonmore reserves topping the league. Strathglass made a case for promotion which was accepted by the Camanachd Association. David Balharry’s side undoubtedly made progress last season, and they will be further tested at national level. Caberfeidh manager Jodi Gorski will have been delighted about Kevin Bartlett’s return to the club whilst Ryan MacKay and Kenneth MacKenzie are other valuable additions. Brothers Craig Morrison and Blair Morrison will again continue to be key for the Castle Leod side.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Beauly v Newtonmore 2016 league winners Newtonmore reserves open their league campaign against the Beauly reserves at Braeview Park. First team absences could affect Beauly early in the season whilst Newtonmore, with Orsten Gardner assisting boss Cammy MacDonald, will have a bigger pool at their disposal. Newtonmore will start as league favourites again whilst Beauly will look to better last season’s sixth placed finish.
Fort William v Skye Camanachd The Fort William colts and the Skye Camanachd colts meet at An Aird. The Fort will continue to give youth a chance, selecting their promising youngsters for the side s some of last year’s pool are promoted to the first team. New Skye manager Kenny MacLeod also has a number of promising youngsters to pick from and the likes of Ruaraidh MacLeod, Jamie Gillies and Martin Pringle will all get game time.
Kingussie v Aberdeen University The Kingussie seconds play Aberdeen University at the Dell. Kingussie will again be led by Ally MacLeod and Ronald Ross and, having stepped down from first team duty, Garry Munro could feature in some second string games as could the returning Martin Dallas. The Students start life in the league having completed a perfect season in North 2 in 2016; taking maximum points from their league games. Boss Jamie Beaton has the same squad available including Alex Duncan who was prolific in front of goal last year.
Glenurquhart v Kinlochshiel The Glenurquhart second team and the Kinlochshiel second team do battle at Blairbeg. Glenurquhart manager Chris Surtees has been impressed with the performances of youngsters such as Finlay Ralston and Ewan Carroll during the pre-season whilst the likes of Calum Miller will add experience to the side. Willie MacRae continues in charge at Kinlochshiel. He will rely on the experience of Neil Fraser and Scot MacLean coupled with Scotland U17 player Jonnie MacAskill and youths WD MacRae and Finlay MacRae.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Lochside Rovers v Aberdour Two of the title challengers have an early meeting as Lochside Rovers host Aberdour at Ganavan. Aberdour finished second in the division last season, a point ahead of third placed Lochside Rovers. Lochside have added Scotland U17 keeper Cameron Sutherland to their squad and he joins the club after starring for Ballachulish in the National Division last season. Craig MacDougall is also back at the club after playing for Oban Lorn last year. Aberdour Boss Lisa MacColl has much the same squad to pick from and David McDougall and Ali Abbott, aged 15, have forced their way into the first team reckoning having both played well in defence in the pre-season friendly win over Glasgow Mid Argyll.
Ballachulish v Bute Ballachulish were to have no fixture until confirmation came through that Bute would drop down to South 1 so Balla’ will now play the Islanders at Jubilee Park. Donald Wilson and his assistant Malcolm Grant stay on in charge at Ballachulish butt highly rated keeper Cameron Sutherland has moved to Lochside Rovers so the experienced David MacPhee will return in goal. One concern for Balla’ is a pre-season knee ligament injury to last year’s captain Eoin Fyfe which will keep him out of the side for some time. Forward Lorne Brown has been named club captain for the year ahead. It’s been a turbulent few weeks for Bute and they will be pleased to now focus on the on-field action. Their decision to drop down a division means they start their league campaign with an 8 point deduction and attacker Ben Clarke will miss the start of the league season through injury.
Kyles Athletic v Glenorchy The Kyles Athletic second team welcome Glenorchy to Tighnabruaich. Kyles finished sixth last season, a point ahead of seventh placed Glenorchy so the signs are that this will be a close encounter. Glenorchy’s Graham Morrice picked up a two match suspension courtesy of a red card in the goalless draw against Taynuilt in what was the Mart Park club’s last game of the 2016 season.
Col Glen v Tayforth Col Glen and newly promoted Tayforth meet at Otter Ferry. Col Glen will be managed this season by Brian Kennedy and Brian McNaughton with Ronnie MacVicar assisting them. They take over from club stalwart James Edgar who steps down after 5 years in charge. Tayforth won promotion after winning Marine Harvest South Division 2 last season. They advertised for a new manager during the close season but have opted to continue with Ewan Menzies and Finlay Stark taking a lead role in their positions as captain and vice-captain.
Taynuilt v Kilmory Taynuilt face Kilmory at the Taynuilt Sports Field. Taynuilt finished fourth in the division last season and Fraser Macmillan has rejoined the club after a spell with Oban Celtic. Newly promoted Kilmory pose a real goal threat with 2016 Marine Harvest South Division 2 Player of the Year Hal Jones, Alex Cunningham and Andrew Cunningham sure to test defences in this league.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Caberfeidh v Lochaber The Caberfeidh and Lochaber seconds teams clash at Castle Leod. Neil MacKenzie of Caberfeidh collected a red card in his side’s final match of last season, a 3-2 defeat to Glasgow Mid Argyll, so he will miss the opening two matches of the new term. The Lochaber colts will be able to lean on the experienced Lachlan Campbell whose son Max Campbell is impressing at youth level.
Glengarry v Lewis Camanachd Glengarry and Lewis Camanachd play at Craigard. Glengarry pulled off a close season signing coup with Scotland U21 player Nick Dalgety joining from Lochcarron. Dalgety is a trainee gamekeeper at Culachy Estate, near Fort Augustus. ‘Garry have a strong squad when they have everyone available with the likes of Steven Cameron, Andrew Gilchrist and Raymond Robertson all still involved. Boss Duncan MacIntyre begins his second season in charge at Lewis with a trip to his former club. He will be without veteran Eoghan Stewart, Seamus Charity and the club’s top scorer Will Church this season. Club player of the year Michael MacLeod will be a key player and we can expect to see more of youngsters Steven Morrison and Scott MacLeod. Throw up is at 1.30pm.
Lovat v Boleskine The Lovat seconds play Boleskine at Balgate. Darren Urquhart takes charge of Lovat after Martin Bell stepped down at the end of last season. Boleskine also have a change at the top with Graham Black replacing Jamie Matheson. However Matheson remains as a player and the forward could line up against former club Lovat in this game.
Strathspey Camanachd v Kilmallie Strathspey Camanachd and the Kilmallie second team meet at Grantown Grammar School. Strathspey Camanachd didn’t have their troubles to seek during the close season when a fire destroyed most of their equipment. However the side rallied to replace the kit and they can now concentrate on their league campaign. The Kilmallie seconds will be keen to get off to a good start as they face the teams which finished in the bottom three positions in the division over the first three weeks of the new season. Home matches with Lewis Camanachd and the Inverness second team follow this one. Throw up is at 1.30pm.
Inverness v Strathglass The newly reformed Strathglass colts make the relatively short journey to the Bught Park to play the Inverness colts. Allan MacLeod’s philosophy at Inverness will be to continue to introduce young players into the team such as Ross MacKinnon and Finlay Calder who both made their debuts during the pre-season. Strathglass have restored their second team to competitive action following some increased activity at youth level. Eoghan Stewart, who has joined the club from Lewis Camanachd, will lend some experience to the squad.
Lochcarron are given a free week in this eleven team league. Boss Andrew Slaughter suffered a blow with the news that Nick Dalgety has joined Glengarry. Matthew Young is an injury doubt after taking a blow to the knee at the pre-season MacKinnon Sixes but Seamus Charity has joined from Lewis Camanachd.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Strachur v Oban Lorn Strachur and Oban Lorn are in action at Strachurmore Strachur make a welcome return to Marine harvest South Division 2 after taking a year away from competitive shinty. Oban Lorn finished third in this division last season and with the top two – Tayforth and Kilmory – promoted, they should be in the mix at the top of the table. Oban Lorn duo Calum MacLean and Shaun MacIver will sit out the opening day through suspension.
Bute v Inveraray The Bute seconds and the Inveraray seconds meet at The Meadows Bute finished fifth in the division last season whilst the Inveraray reserves were relegated after finishing bottom of Marine Harvest South Division 1. Inveraray will be able to call on the experienced David MacPherson who will assist boss Graham MacPherson throughout the season. The Winterton side have several promising U14 starlets who will get their chance to shine.
Aberdour v Glasgow Mid Argyll The Aberdour second team and the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team meet at Silversands. The sides met in a pre-season friendly in early February at the same venue. Aberdour will continue to promote players from their U14 set up into the second team whilst youngster Ross Anderson is sure to be amongst the goals for GMA. Aberdour finished sixth last year whilst GMA were a couple of places higher.
Dunoon are the free team on the opening day of the season in this seven team league. They took part in the Dropkick Murphy Sixes in Musselburgh, where they reached the semi-finals, but the weather hit their other pre-season preparations.
(All throws ups are at 2.30pm unless stated differently) |