Glen second team keen to get back on track
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GLENURQUHART reserves head for Caol tomorrow seeking redemption after surrendering the Strathdearn Cup last Saturday.
The match against Kilmallie will gives the Glen an opportunity to put the memory of the cup defeat behind them and secure the points needed to ensure their safety in North Division Two for another season.
Their 10-1 defeat by Glengarry was one of the main talking points last weekend, particularly among the Blairbeg faithful, who were just recovering from the shock of losing 9-0 to arch-rivals Lovat in the team’s previous outing.
Despite these disappointments, club officials are keen to point out that the Glen’s second string have reached the semi-finals of both junior competitions this season, while also overcoming the top two sides in North Division Two.
However, there is a general feeling that the high standards set over the previous two years have proven difficult to live up to.
But the loss of three promising young players — Kelvin Mackenzie, Ewan Brady and Rhuaridh Cameron — has left a void that has not yet been filled.
In shinty, reserve teams will always be feeders to the senior side so driving success on both fronts is a demanding task.
"It is always challenging for two-team clubs to gain the correct balance and this year we have thrown everything at the first-team, which has brought rewards in terms of picking up league points where previously we have been unsuccessful," said club chairman Russell Fraser.
"We feel we are going in the right direction in the long-term and hope to pick up silverware at the highest level going forward, which is ultimately how we will be judged by the wider shinty world."
Meanwhile as the shinty season moves towards its conclusion, several important issues could be resolved tomorrow.
Promotion to next year’s Scottish Hydro Premier Division could be settled with Kinlochshiel in the north and Bute in the south each poised to clinch the coveted ticket to the top league.
Kinlochshiel are in Portree where a point would virtually secure the title and Bute should also get the single point they need against Kilmory.
In North Division Three, Beauly can secure second place in the table with a win over Inverness at Bught Park in their final match of the season.
Oban’s Mossfield Park plays host to the final of the Artemis MacAulay Cup final tomorrow with old adversaries Newtonmore and Kyles Athletic squaring up to each other. In the televised match, the outcome looks too close to call with each side trying to win the trophy for the first time in a generation.
Last Saturday, Newtonmore came through a tough Camanachd Cup semi-final against Inveraray and will be without David Cheyne, who is suspended following his red card last weekend.
Danny MacRae will be the ace in their pack for ‘More, while attacking midfielder Grant Irvine is likely to be key in how Kyles fare.
