The Shinty Preview – Saturday 31 March 2012 | |
29 March 2012 There is a mixture of league and cup shinty fixtures on Saturday 31 March 2012.
Co-operative MacTavish Cup – First Round Kinlochshiel v Kingussie Holders Kingussie face a difficult start to this year’s competition as they travel to Kirkton to play on-form Kinlochshiel. Kingussie should be along usual lines but they remain without ace marksmen Ronald Ross and Thomas Borthwick. Kinlochshiel captain Gordie MacDonald missed last week’s win over Glenurquhart with the recurrence of a knee problem and a tight hamstring restricted Fraser MacVicar to a substitute appearance. MacVicar is the more likely to make this tie. The match throws up at 3pm and there will be live commentary from Kirkton on the Cuillin FM Saturday Sports Show which can be accessed across the web on www.cuillinfm.co.uk . The winners will be away to Kilmallie in the next round. Beauly v Lovat The match of the day in the Co-operative MacTavish Cup first round should be the meeting between fierce rivals Beauly and Lovat at Braeview Park. Both sides have each only dropped one league point in their respective divisions so far this season. They have not met in a “competitive” match since 2009 when Lovat won Marine Harvest North Division 1 and promotion to shinty’s top flight although their annual New Year Lovat Cup clash could hardly be considered uncompetitive! Beauly’s Marc McLachlan scored nine times in two outings for the Beauly second team at the start of the season. This won him a place in the first team and he bagged a hat-trick in the 5-4 win over Strathglass last weekend. Lovat’s Lorne MacKay missed last week’s draw with Bute through injury but he will be given every chance to prove his fitness for this one. A large crowd is expected and whoever comes out on top will have home advantage against Glenurquhart or Inverness. Lochaber v Lochcarron Lochaber and Lochcarron meet for the second week in a row and for the third time this season. Following a share of the points at Battery Park on the opening day of the season, Lochaber came out on top at Spean last weekend. The home side has a doubt over Stuart Callison but he will be given every chance to prove his fitness. Lochcarron were missing several players last week but they should have a stronger line-up for this one. However Daniel MacRae misses out through injury. The throw up time has been brought forward to 1pm. The victors travel to face Strathglass or Skye Camanachd. Glenurquhart v Inverness Glenurquhart will look to halt a run of three consecutive defeats when they play Marine Harvest North Division 1 side Inverness at Blairbeg. The Glen have struggled to get a settled side in recent weeks but Neale Reid’s return from injury last week was a boost. Inverness will be without Somhairle MacDonald who is unavailable and James Cameron serves the second game of a two match ban. Throw up is at 3pm. An away tie against Beauly or Lovat awaits the winners. Strathglass v Skye Camanachd Strathglass and Skye Camanachd meet for the second time in three weeks. The Islanders came out on top following their league meeting in Portree but manager Willie MacRae is aware that Strathglass will be a different proposition on their own pitch. Teenage forward Laurence Jones misses out for Strathglass after picking up a serious knee injury last week. Skye Camanachd will be without Iain Murray. The winners will have home advantage against Lochaber or Lochcarron in the last eight. The final quarter final tie sees Fort William at home to Newtonmore.
Glasgow Celtic Society Cup – First round Glenorchy v Bute Glenorchy have home advantage for their meeting with Bute at Dalmally. Bute replaced Glenorchy in shinty’s top division this season and they have made a decent start to life in the top flight. Glenorchy are in second place in Marine Harvest South Division 1. A home tie against Oban Camanachd in the last eight awaits the victors. Oban Celtic v Strachur Oban Celtic and Strachur meet in Oban. Davy Hamilton, who manages the Oban side, will be looking for a reaction from his players following their defeat at Aberdour last week. Strachur picked up their first Marine Harvest South Division 1 point last week when goals from Reece Campbell and Duncan MacNicol gave them a 2-2 draw at Kilmory. The winners will be away to Taynuilt in the next round. Aberdour v Glasgow Mid Argyll Aberdour and Glasgow Mid Argyll clash in Fife. The sides met at Yoker a fortnight ago when a Kevin McKell gave Aberdour a surprise 1-0 win. The Glasgow will be out for revenge. The winners will travel to play Kilmory in the quarter finals. The final last eight tie will be the much anticipated clash between Inveraray and Kyles Athletic. Both sides have first round byes.
Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup Bute v Skye Camanachd There is a meeting between Island clubs Bute and Skye Camanachd on Rothesay. This tie is played a week earlier than the other first round ties as Skye Camanachd are involved in the Iomain Cholmcille 5, Gaelic Shinty / Hurling tournament in Portree next weekend. Bute ran up double figures against Glasgow Mid Argyll last week when they had seven different goal scorers. The Skye squad travels south without the influential Allan MacKinnon who will be on first team duty. Throw up is at 3pm.
Orion Group Premiership Newtonmore v Kyles Athletic Newtonmore and Kyles Athletic fought out last year’s championship until the final minute of the final day of the season and these rivals meet for the first time this term at the Eilan. Kyles are two points behind leaders Newtonmore but they have a game in hand. Danny MacRae has scored five goals since his return from injury two games ago and he will provide the home side’s main goal threat. Kyles have made a good start to the season despite being forced to change so many of their personnel for various reasons and Tom Whyte has scored twice in his last two outings. Throw up is at 3pm. Kilmallie v Inveraray Kilmallie play Inveraray at the Canal Parks. John Stewart should return for the home side after missing the draw with Bute a fortnight ago. Defender Allan MacDonald missed that game and he remains an injury doubt. Inveraray are likely to be without top marksman Russell MacKinlay who tends not to travel to away games. Throw up is at 3pm.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Kilmory v Taynuilt The only match in this division sees Kilmory host Taynuilt. The visitors have yet to pick up a point this season and a win for Kilmory will see them go third in the table.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Newtonmore v Lovat League leaders Newtonmore have home advantage when they meet Lovat in a 12 noon throw up at the Eilan. The sides met at Balgate on the opening day of the season when a double each from youngsters Calum Stewart and Angus Gray gave Newtonmore a 4-1 victory. ‘More are top the table with full points from their opening four games whilst Lovat collected their first points of the season with a win over Lochaber last weekend. Glengarry v Kingussie Glengarry play Kingussie at Craigard. Glengarry have the chance to go second in the table as second place Skye, who they trail by a point, are on cup duty. Aberdeen University v Kinlochshiel Aberdeen University have home advantage against Kinlochshiel. Both sides have registered four points in the league although the Students have played a game more. Glenurquhart v Lochaber Glenurquhart and Lochaber meet at Blairbeg. Both sides are on the two point mark. Throw up is at 12 noon.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Tayforth v Col Glen Tayforth are at home to leaders Col Glen. This league is particularly tight with only two points separating the top six clubs. Lochside Rovers v Ballachulish The match of the day in this division is the meeting between Lochside Rovers and Ballachulish in Oban. Both sides boost the only 100% record in the league with Lochside winning their three opening games and Ballachulish winning both of theirs so something has to give in this one. Kyles Athletic v Inveraray There is a derby match as the Kyles Athletic and Inveraray second teams clash. Roddy MacColl has scored six times in three outings for the Kyles second string and he provides their main goal threat. Inveraray’s Russell MacKinlay could have a major role to play if he doesn’t travel to Cannich to play Kilmallie with the first team. Glasgow Mid Argyll v Aberdour Glasgow Mid Argyll have home advantage against Aberdour. GMA lost ten goals against Bute last week whilst Aberdour lost 4-0 at Col Glen. The sides currently occupy the bottom two places in the table so this is a chance for both teams to collect some valuable points.
Marine Harvest North Division 3 Lochbroom v Beauly The match of the day in this division should be the clash between Lochbroom and Beauly in Ullapool. Both sides have a 100% record in the league with Beauly ahead of their rivals in top spot on goal difference. Throw up is at the earlier time of 1.30pm. Caberfeidh v Boleskine Fifth place Caberfeidh meet third place Boleskine at Castle Leod. The Caberfeidh first team does not have a game which may give their reserves more options. Boleskine’s Lewis Smith has scored seven goals in his last two outings. Lochcarron v Strathspey Camanachd Following four home fixtures, Strathspey Camanachd are on the road for the first time this season as they head for Battery Park to play Lochcarron. Kilmallie v Strathglass Kilmallie and Strathglass meet in a 12 noon throw up at the Canal Parks. The home side recovered from their defeat against Lochcarron a fortnight ago to record their third victory of the season with a win over Lewis Camanachd last weekend. Inverness v Lewis Camanachd There is a Bught Park meeting between Inverness and Lewis Camanachd. Both sides have picked up just one point this season and both will see this game as a good opportunity to put more points on the board. Throw up is at 1pm. |