Camanachd Cup hopefuls ready to do battle
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TWELVE of shinty’s intermediate clubs are in action in tomorrow’s first round of the 2012 Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup.
Inverness and Glenorchy both fell at the first hurdle after losing in the preliminary round meaning the six going through from tomorrow’s matches will be joined by 10 Premier Division clubs in the second round of the competition.
History shows that six of the clubs participating tomorrow have their name inscribed on shinty’s most coveted prize, but that will count for nothing and it is a fair to say that it is highly unlikely that any of the 12 hopefuls will progress through to the final, set for Oban’s Mossfield Park in September.
In an intriguing tie at Cannich, the contrast between Strathglass and visitors Aberdour could hardly be greater.
Strathglass have never won the trophy, but they can trace their roots all the way back to the latter part of the 19th century, while the team from the Kingdom of Fife celebrated their 10th birthday only last year.
They entered the Camanachd Cup for the first time in 2011 when coincidentally they were also drawn against Strathglass, losing 5-0 at home to the Cannich side.
A year on, the ambitious newcomers are determined to go one better, something Strath player/manager Robert Geddes is all too aware of.
"Yes it could be a massive banana skin for us and we will not be taking them lightly," he said. "They have had some good results this season and they are obviously stronger than when we met them 12 months ago.
"However, I am confident that we can progress, despite the fact that we will be well short of our best line-up."
Missing for Strathglass will be defender Donald Fraser, who has struggled with a groin injury for most of the season and broke down in his comeback match against Oban Camanachd last Saturday. Wing back Colin Chapman also limped out of the Oban game with a pulled hamstring, while Mark MacLeod took a painful hand knock, but is expected to play tomorrow.
Beauly and Caberfeidh complete a trio of Inverness area clubs involved, both drawn away with the latter having the more difficult assignment against Skye in Portree.
It is an early opportunity for the Sky Blues to avenge an opening day defeat at the hands of the islanders when Cabers let slip a 3-1 lead, eventually losing 4-3.
Beauly make the long journey to meet Oban Celtic in an uncertain mood after losing their last three matches. In recent seasons they have swept Celtic aside with their most recent triumph in 2010 — a 6-1 win at Braeview, also achieved in the Camanachd Cup.
In other ties, Lochaber are home to Lochcarron and fancied to progress, while the first round is completed by two all-South ties with two former winners — Glasgow Mid Argyll and Oban Camanachd — meeting at Yoker and in Lochgilphead, Kilmory host Taynuilt.
There is full programme in the Orion Group Premiership with the match of the day at the Eilan where reigning champions and league leaders Newtonmore take on Fort William. More’s Glen MacKintosh is suspended, while Fort are without talisman Gary Innes.
Glenurquhart face Kingussie with the Glen playing their seventh league of the season and, in a strange quirk of the fixtures schedule, it is their sixth to be played at home.
Lovat have stormed to share of second place in the table, but they face a huge test at Tighnabruaich against Kyles Athletic. Lorne MacKay is suspended as Lovat attempt a first away victory in decades over Norman MacDonald’s side.
