Lovat's Mainland twins eye up Camanachd Cup glory
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LOVAT bid for their third Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup success tomorrow when they face record winners Newtonmore at the Bught.
Their last success came just two years ago when they overturned 62 years of yearning to bring the magnificent trophy back to Kiltarlity for the first time since 1953.
Defender Martin Mainland was part of the successful 2015 squad and admits that he never thought the chance to win another Camanachd Cup medal would come around again so soon.
“I am so proud to be in the final once again – it is brilliant for me personally but also for the rest of the guys who have worked really hard to make it through again,” he said.
“And for the club and our supporters and the fact that the match is being played in Inverness means we should bring a big support to the Bught”.
Mainland detects a quiet confidence about the squad and thinks overall that Lovat are stronger now than they were when they faced Kyles Athletic in Oban two years ago.
He explained: “We have definitely matured as a group and I have think we have a better depth to the squad than we had two years ago. The two years’ extra experience at the top level has improved us and I also think we are better prepared physically this time around. Last season we endured a lot of injuries, but that is behind us now and we are all raring to go”.
Despite Mainland’s upbeat appraisal about the mood in the Lovat camp, there is no risk that they will be underestimating Newtonmore.
He added: “They have their problems with injury and suspensions but they have strength in depth at the club like no other in the sport and we are prepared for a tough battle. If it comes down to fitness I think we might just have the edge and the Bught Park should also suit us better”.
Mainland was talking after an informal midweek training session as the squad prepare themselves for the big day.
After overseeing the session, team boss Fraser Gallagher is keeping his starting line-up a closely-guarded secret.
He said: “We are in the fortunate position of having a fully-fit squad, apart from Marc Kelly and Scott Mackenzie. Scott will be in the match-day squad as he played for us for quite a bit this season before breaking his aria have more or less picked my starting twelve but there are a couple of positions where we have options and I will make up my mind about those nearer the time”.
One position sure to occupy Gallagher’s thoughts will be that of striker where new recruit Marc MacLachlan has pressed his case for a start with a series of impressive displays since joining from Beauly in July.
Suggestions coming out from the Newtonmore camp that Norman Campbell will play full-back rather than goalkeeper, a position he has occupied for most of the season, could swing matters in MacLachlan’s favour with his strength preferred over the pace of Lorne MacKay.
Gallagher is planning a low-key build-up on Saturday morning.
He explained: “Fortunately the local hotel has reopened, so we will gather there after 10am for a light meal and then off to town.
“We aim to get to the Bught before 12.30pm and then our trainer Gavin Heath will supervise the warm-up. We will not be doing much out of the ordinary – more or less what we do before any game on a Saturday.”
As is his style Gallagher will not be preparing a long pre-match address in the dressing room.
He said: “I tend to speak off the cuff and only for a couple of the minutes, although I will have spoken to the players individually before that. The lads have been over the course before so I feel they know what they are doing. But if things are not going well they will be getting the hair drier treatment at half time”. He joked.
Gallagher is not reading much into Newtonmore’s well-publicised woes.
With the suspension of their leading player Steven MacDonald and injury ruling defender Andy MacKintosh out, while Rory Kennedy, team captain and the lynchpin of their defence, is also a serious doubt with a knee injury it would appear that the holders are struggling.
But winning the cup 31 times in your history shows a resilience and pedigree that will hold them in good stead tomorrow. Gallagher will not need to be reminded that his team’s last defeat was a 3-0 reverse against ‘More in the Artemis MacAulay Cup semi-final in July.
“They have a winning mentality and there is a big expectation of the team from their support. I expect a really tough battle but our lads are up for it and we have prepared well”. Gallagher said.
The match throws-up at 2pm with tickets available on the day.
Before that, Kingussie and Lochaber contest the final of the MacMaster Cup for the under-14 Championship of Scotland.
Twins Martin and Craig Mainland (26) symbolise the togetherness of the current Lovat squad, having played together since their primary school days at Tomnacross.
Martin can play in either defence or midfield but expects to be drafted into the wing back position in a defensive unit, which has proven its worth in a six-game unbeaten run. He is likely to find himself against Newtonmore’s pacy under-21 star Iain Robinson.
For Craig, the younger of the twins by two minutes, he reckons, the match promises a totally different experience to the 2015 final.
He said: “I think the experience of the last final will hold us in good stead – we were quite naïve in some ways in 2015 and I think we are in a more relaxed frame of mind this time and I also think we are better physically”.
