The Shinty Preview – Saturday 25 August 2012 - UPDATED! | |
23 August 2012 The focus returns to league action and it’s the Orion Premiership Derby Day on Saturday 25 August 2012.
Orion Group Premiership Newtonmore v Kingussie Newtonmore have three more hurdles to negotiate in their quest to retain the Orion Group Premiership. Up first are Badenoch rivals Kingussie who come into this derby on the back of two defeats. However Kings boss Russell Jones has Louis Munro and Fraser Munro back in his side after they attended a family wedding abroad and Ryan Borthwick should have recovered from injury. Kyles Athletic v Bute Title contenders Kyles Athletic should be too strong for already relegated Bute in their clash at Tighnabruaich. Zac Coley could return in defence for the home side after he suffered a hand injury during Scotland U17s win over Dublin U17 in July. Bute boss Barry Martin has already turned his attention to building a squad in Marine Harvest South Division 1 next season with stalwart Hector Whitelaw indicating that this may be his last season in the senior side. Fort William v Kilmallie The final derby clash won’t be for the faint-hearted as Fort William and Kilmallie meet at An Aird. The Fort have recorded wins against Kingussie and Inveraray in both matches since their return to An Aird. Fort William boss in likely to stick with Duncan Rodger in attack following his hat-trick last weekend. Liam Cameron is an injury doubt for Kilmallie. Throw up is at 4.05pm and the whole match will be broadcast live on BBC Alba. Kinlochshiel v Inveraray Kinlochshiel welcome Inveraray to Kirkton in a repeat of their recent Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup semi-final. Inveraray came out on top that day as they did when the sides met at Tighnabruaich earlier in the season. Kinlochshiel keeper Graham Kennedy is free of suspension as is Inveraray defender Alan MacDonald. ‘Shiel included Zander Grant in their first team squad last weekend after a couple of outings with the reserve side. The former Scotland U17 player has been out of action for over a year because of work commitments and he could become a valuable addition to their pool of players. Throw up has been brought forward to noon at Inveraray's request.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Caberfeidh v Skye Camanachd Third place Caberfeidh host league leaders Skye Camanachd at Castle Leod. Steven Morrison is a major doubt for the Islanders after picking up a leg knock but captain Shockie Maclennan and Iain Nicolson could return. Throw up is at 3pm. Strathglass v Lochaber Strathglass meet Lochaber at Cannich. The sides met at Spean Bridge a fortnight ago when Lochaber ran out 6-0 winners and they still have to play once more this season. Beauly v Lochcarron Beauly play Lochcarron at Braeview Park. The sides had contrasting results last weekend with Beauly coming from behind to beat Caberfeidh and Lochcarron losing 3-0 to Skye although their boss Andrew MacPherson was pleased with the form shown by keeper Douglas MacKenzie, who saved a penalty and pulled off a string of fine saves, in that game.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Oban Camanachd v Oban Celtic There is an Oban derby at Mossfield where Oban Camanachd and Oban Celtic clash. The match gives Oban Camanachd the chance to bounce back from the disappointment of last weekend’s Artemis Macaulay Cup Final. A derby victory is always important but Oban Camanachd know that a win will also secure the Marine Harvest South Division 1 title and a quick-fire route back to the Orion Group Premiership. Defenders James MacMillan and Alasdair Gunn are missing for the home side. Taynuilt v Aberdour Taynuilt have home advantage against Aberdour. This is the final match of the season for both sides and a home win would give Taynuilt a credible fourth place finish if Oban Celtic Throw up is at noon.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Kingussie v Newtonmore This derby clash between Kingussie and Newtonmore at the Dell has been brought forward to Friday 24 August 2012. The game has been played on a Friday evening in recent seasons and a large crowd is expected. Throw up is at 6.30pm. Skye Camanachd v Lochaber Skye Camanachd meet Lochaber at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. The home side will have to get over the disappointment of last week’s Strathdearn Cup semi-final defeat. Captain David Grant is an injury doubt after picking up a leg knock in that game but Allan MacLeod could return. Victories for Fort William and Kingussie last weekend confirmed Lochaber’s return to Marine Harvest North Division 3. Fort William v Kinlochshiel Fort William play Kinlochshiel at An Aird. The home side will have one eye on next week’s Strathdearn Cup Final when they play Beauly at Craigard. Scott Kennedy should return for the visitors after playing in goal in the last two first team matches. Throw up is at noon.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Ballachulish v Col Glen Fourth place Ballachulish play fifth Col Glen at Jubilee Park. This is Col Glen’s final game of the season and they will leap-frog their rivals if they win. However Ballachulish still have two games to go after this one. Aberdour v Bute Aberdour meet Bute in Fife. Aberdour’s win over Ardnamurchan last weekend saw them move off the bottom of the table. Bute still have four more games to go after this one – more than any other side in the league.
Marine Harvest North Division 3 Boleskine v Beauly Boleskine welcome champions Beauly to Farr. Beauly will be keen to maintain their 100% record in the league but their priority must be next weekend’s Strathdearn Cup Final against Fort William. Caberfeidh v Lochcarron Sixth place Caberfeidh play fifth place Lochcarron at Castle Leod. Throw up is at noon. This is Cabers last game of the season. |