Heavyweight clash in repeat of past finals for Camanachd Cup
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Shinty’s top two leagues will be put on pause this weekend as the sport’s flagship cup competition returns to the calendar.
The Camanachd Cup second round takes place, with the northern section headlined by Lovat’s trip to Newtonmore in a repeat of 2017 and 2018’s final.
Newtonmore are the most successful side in the history of the competition, with 34 triumphs to their name including four straight victories between 2016 and 2019 – including those back-to-back wins over Lovat.
The Kiltarlity outfit have their own impressive history over recent years though.
They were the last side to win the competition before that impressive run from Newtonmore, defeating Kyles Athletic 2–1 in the 2015 final.
Lovat were also last year’s runners up, making it all the way to the final before falling 3–1 to Kinlochshiel, who claimed their maiden win.
It is a repeat trip to the Eilan for Lovat after making the journey to Newtonmore in the Premiership last weekend.
Then, the sides could not be separated as the match finished in a 2–2 draw.
Marc MacLachlan had put Lovat ahead, only for Conor Jones and Duncan MacPherson to turn things around – before a stoppage time equaliser from MacLachlan saved a point for Lovat.
Elsewhere in the second round’s northern section, defending champions Kinlochshiel will host a Caberfeidh side high in confidence after sealing their place in the MacTavish Cup final last time out.
The team the Cabers beat, Skye, will be aiming to go on another run into the latter stages of a cup when they host Strathglass in an all-National Division clash.
Both sides sit right beside each other in the league table, so it would appear to be a tie that is in the balance and could go either way.
The regional leagues are still in full swing this weekend, with Lovat’s North Division One side also on the road to Fort William.
In North Division Two, Beauly and Boleskine travel to Aberdeen University and Lochaber respectively, while Strathglass host Kilmallie. Inverness travel to Strathspey in the remaining fixture.
