Glenurquhart looking to bounce back against champions
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THE celebrations and the post-mortems are over and tomorrow Lovat and Glenurquhart turn their attention to the Orion Premiership as the drama of the RBS MacTavish Cup final begins to slip into history.
Last Saturday’s disastrous defeat for the Glen left little in the way of consolation for the fans of the red and blacks, but Lochaber’s 2-2 draw with Inveraray in the Premiership was a result that should have brought some cheer as it means the point dropped by the Spean Bridge side leaves the Glen safe from the threat of relegation.
It now allows them to concentrate on preparing for next month’s crucial Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup quarter-final clash with Inveraray, which goes ahead in Drumnadrochit.
Tomorrow, the Glen head for Newtonmore to take on the reigning champions, who are homing on title number five.
Both sides have been counting the cost of a season which has seen their squads devastated by injury to key players with Newtonmore possibly worst hit as key performers such as Camanachd Cup-winning captain Jamie Robinson, top scorer Danny MacRae and international full back Norman Campbell have each been sidelined this season.
Robinson and Campbell have recovered, but MacRae remains a doubt along with midfielder Paul MacArthur.
Glenurquhart are also badly hit with injuries, although Michael Brady, who missed the final, should be available and will return to the side.
Brady signed from Glengarry at the beginning of the season has made a big impact in his short time at Blairbeg. He has been a rock in defence and become a firm favourite with the Glen support.
However, fellow defender Ally MacKintosh is unlikely to feature as his injury nightmare continues. Defenders John Barr and Andy Corrigan both face late fitness tests as they try to shake off niggling injuries.
Callum Smith’s appearance from the bench last Saturday appeared to invigorate the Glen as they managed to stage a late rally against Lovat and that could see him on from the start against a ‘More defence that is difficult to break down.
Meanwhile, Lovat also have injury problems to deal with and it seems likely that both Greg Matheson and Drew Howie will be out, while Michael MacKenzie returns to side after missing out on the final through holiday commitments. The Kiltarlity side face Lochaber and a defeat for Lovat would all but end their challenge for the title.
Lovat’s lengthy casualty list leaves the door open for several fringe players to force themselves into manager Alan MacRae’s long-term plans.
Foremost amongst those challenging for a place is the experienced Fraser Gallagher, who has not featured that much this season but his outstanding contribution to the cause after coming on in the second minute in the final after Drew Howie limped off was a performance which cannot be overlooked. Calum MacAulay could also feature if both Matheson brothers are sidelined.
Opponents Lochaber, without a win in 10 games, are on the two-point mark and fast running out of wriggle room in their attempts to beat the drop in to the National Division.
The battle to avoid demotion has come down to Lochaber and Kinlochshiel with the Wester Ross side in the driving seat, two points ahead and with two matches in hand.
They face Kingussie at Kirkton tomorrow where a win would take them on to six points and probably just two points from safety.
Two local derbies feature in the Marine Harvest National Division, but only one will have a bearing on the destination of the title and promotion to the Premiership. The Caberfeidh versus Beauly match at Strathpeffer is all about local pride with the clubs effectively tussling for fourth place in the league.
The Kilmallie against Fort William clash should be attract a big crowd to the Canal Parks with both sides in high scoring form. A win for Kilmallie would see them leapfrog Oban Camanachd to the top of the league and would put a serious dent in the Fort’s promotion bid.
In North Division One, there is a top of the table clash as Skye entertain Strathglass with the Cannich side bidding to end the islander’s unbeaten league run. Defeat would signal the end the Strath’s title bid and leave Skye almost certain of challenging for the one promotion spot to the National Division.
There are two derby encounters in this league with Beauly taking on Glenurquhart at Braeview and Kingussie facing Newtonmore.
The south’s two top sides — Kyles Athletic and Inveraray — meet in the final of the AJG Parcels sponsored Celtic Society Cup at Old Anniesland Glasgow.
The equivalent of the MacTavish Cup in the north, the Celtic Cup returns to Glasgow after a two-year stint at Strachur. The match goes out live on BBC Alba with 4.05pm throw-up.
