Inverness and Strathglass target semi spot in Balliemore Cup
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THE draw for the last 16 of the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup has produced eight intriguing ties topped by a clash between shinty’s ‘Old Firm’ Kyles Athletic and Newtonmore.
Kyles and Newtonmore have taken a stranglehold on the competition recently, featuring in last year’s final with ‘More taking the honours to add to their 2011 triumph, while it was Kyles’ royal blue colours that adorned the trophy 12 months earlier.
While Kyles will be grateful for home advantage when the tie goes ahead on Saturday 31st May, Inverness’ reward for eliminating Strathglass last Saturday is also a home tie with Premiership side Inveraray, beaten finalists in 2012 and a team considered to be among the front runners in the competition, providing the opposition.
Glenurquhart, whose 1988 appearance in the final is the last by an Inverness area side, face Great Glen rivals Lochaber at Spean Bridge in one of three all-Premiership clashes.
Lovat will not relish facing Kingussie, who eliminated them at the same stage last year, but were given the precious advantage of a home tie.
Beauly, fresh from their stunning 5 - 1 triumph in the first round against Oban Camanachd, are also at home, but face a huge task in the shape of Premiership side Kinlochshiel, while Caberfeidh will not relish a trip to An Aird to face a Fort William side who appear to be blossoming under the guidance of Victor Smith and Addy Robertson.
In the final two ties, there is an all-island clash with Bute hosting Skye and the Lochaber derby sees Kilmallie entertain Ballachulish.
Meanwhile, tomorrow’s fixture list is a mixed bag of cup and league with the quarter-finals of the Balliemore Cup occupying the thoughts of both Inverness and Strathglass.
The city club face an unpredictable Oban Celtic side and manager Allan MacLeod will be wary of the green and whites, who have struggled so far this season, but are capable of producing an upset. Inverness welcome back Mark Sproule from suspension in their bid for a place in the last four.
Strathglass will not need any motivational team talks when they face North Division One league leaders Skye in Cannich. The islanders, who are going well in all competitions, produced their best result of the season, knocking National League side Glenorchy out of the Camanachd Cup last Saturday. A win for the Strath would be a real shot in the arm after a series of indifferent results.
In other ties, Taynuilt face Ballachulish, while Aberdeen University are up against Aberdour.
Sutherland Cup action is also scheduled with Inverness facing Lochbroom just a week after losing to the Ullapool outfit in the league. Lovat are at home to Skye, but Beauly and Glenurquhart sit out with their ties against the Scots and Col Glen postponed to a future date.
In the Orion Premiership, Lovat’s title ambitions will be put to the test when they face Kyles Athletic in Tighnabruaich with both sides seeking solace after derby day defeats at the hands of Glenurquhart and Inveraray respectively.
This will be a real test of Lovat’s resolve at one of the most difficult venues in the sport. Daniel Grieve and Craig Mainland are injury doubts for the visitors.
Glenurquhart also face a tough time of it with an away clash against Kinlochshiel. Glen manager’s Billy MacLean and Dave are still searching for a level of consistency which has been missing this season, much to the frustration of the Glen support.
A win for the Glen would consolidate third place and boost their hopes of mounting a challenge for the title in the second half of the season.
Newtonmore are poised to take advantage of a Lovat slip when they face Lochaber at Spean Bridge and Kingussie could come under pressure when a rejuvenated Inveraray visit the Dell.
There is a full card in the Marine Harvest National Division with the pick of the action the local derbies between Beauly and Caberfeidh at Braeview and Fort William and Kilmallie at An Aird.
Cabers misfired in their 3-1 Camanachd Cup win over Kilmory, but there will be no complacency when they meet their old rivals.
Beauly boss Roger Cormack has urged his players to get their feet back on the ground after last week’s Camanachd Cup victory as Cabers will present an even tougher challenge than Oban Camanachd.
In the other matches, Oban Camanachd face Glenorchy, while Bute host Glasgow Mid Argyll.
