Lovat and Glen do battle again
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BREAKING the mould in any sport is intrinsically difficult and upsetting the settled order in shinty has proved almost impossible in the MacTavish Cup.
The north of Scotland’s premier knock-out cup has been the domain of the Badenoch teams Kingussie and Newtonmore, particularly in the post war era where they have essentially dominated.
So history is being made in tomorrow’s final of the RBS-sponsored event where, for the second successive year, no Badenoch team is involved, which has not happened since the early 1950s.
Tomorrow’s contestants Glenurquhart and Lovat line up almost exactly 12 months from the day of their epic 2013 battle, which saw Lovat lift the famous old rose bowl for the first time in seven decades. It left Glenurquhart seeking a first win in the competition, introduced by Inverness seedsman Alexander MacTavish in 1898.
Twelve months on and Lovat’s 2013 hero, goalkeeper Stuart MacDonald, will wear the captain’s armband and hopes to be clutching the ceremonial silver-mounted caman awarded to the winning skipper. Last year MacDonald broke Glen hearts with a memorable performance denying three takers with an astonishing series of saves.
“I don’t know if I could go through that again. It would be nice to win it in the 90 minutes or even after extra time but please not penalties again,” he said. “It is a huge honour to captain the side I just hope we will be celebrating again.”
The last club from outwith Badenoch to retain the trophy was the great Caberfeidh side of the 1930s but Lovat seek to match that tomorrow.
“I think it would prove that we are not a flash in the pan and that our win last year was not a fluke,” said MacDonald. “A lot of our supporters remember the Lovat side which swept the boards in 1953 and although we are not quite up there yet, a second win would be a great achievement for the lads.”
MacDonald kept his cards close to his chest on the expected starting line-up, saying only that with the exception of Michael MacKenzie, who is on a pre-arranged holiday and misses out for the second year in a row, Lovat hope to be at full strength.
“A couple of the lads have niggling injuries but we are hopeful that they’ll be fine by Saturday,” he added.
Defender Drew Howie is recovering from a minor motor bike accident while Greg Matheson’s hamstring is also a concern. Ross County trainee Danny Kelly comes into the squad to provide defensive cover.
Glenurquhart are based in Drumnadrochit, just over the hill from Kiltarlity, and co-managers Billy MacLean and Dave Menzies have been plotting the downfall of Lovat, as they look to steer the red and blacks to a maiden win.
The Glen are on a good run of form, which includes a 2-1 win over title chasing Lovat in the Orion Premiership. The Glen, who will be without injured defenders Ally MacKintosh and Michael Brady, are pinning their hopes on the experienced quartet of John Barr, Eddie Tembo, Andy Corrigan and goalkeeper Stuart MacKintosh, who can each boast a clutch of international caps.
Tembo skippers the side and is determined to erase the bitter memory of 2013 and to bring the cup to Blairbeg for the first time. It is a desire that chimes with MacLean.
“As a club we have come a long way in the last few years but now is the time to add silverware,” he said. “We got the MacAulay Cup for the first time in our history but we cannot rest on our laurels and to add the MacTavish would be a just reward for all the hard work that goes on both on and off the pitch.”
MacLean added: “We are under no illusions as to how tough this is going to be. They are a good side from back to front and they have strikers who can damage you. But we are quietly confident – the boys know they have a great chance and I just hope they play to their potential.”
The final will throw-up at 4.05pm. The U17 RBS MacTavish Juvenile Cup Final between Kingussie and Newtonmore will take place on the main field at 1pm and the Tulloch Primary Schools Trophy Final between Portree Primary and Kyles will take place on the outside field.
Gates open to the public at noon and tickets cost £10 for Adults, £5 Concession and under 12s go free when accompanied by a paying adult. Spectators only attending the youth finals can get a refund on their ticket if returned to the ticket office prior to the start of the senior final. Car parking is available at the ground from 11am (weather permitting) and costs £1.
Elsewhere there are a number of important league matches, particularly in the Marine Harvest National Division now almost at the half way stage and both Beauly and Caberfeidh need wins over Kilmallie and Fort William to stay in the hunt in the title race.
Key Players
Stuart MacDonald, Lovat (captain)
When you can claim Lovat goal keeping legend Ally MacRae as your second cousin it is perhaps no surprise that MacDonald is considered to be the best keeper to emerge from the Balgate youth system since the great man hung up his boots two decades ago.
MacDonald is coolness personified and has established himself in the international set up, jousting with his opposite number tomorrow, the Glen’s Stuart MacKintosh, for the number one shirt.
Became a Lovat legend after his extraordinary exploits in last year’s final.
Eddie Tembo, Glenurquhart (captain)
Glenurquhart fans are seeing the best of their midfield dynamo this season and he is back to his best according to co-manager Billy MacLean.
“Eddie has been a brilliant influence this year – he has an infectious enthusiasm and a passion for the club,” he said.
Tembo will hope to dominate the midfield area where Lovat are seen to be vulnerable.
Popular throughout the game, there will be few outside the Lovat camp who would begrudge a win for the Zimbabwean-born player tomorrow.
