Lovat and Glen hoping to end on a high
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LOVAT and Glenurquhart wrap up their Orion Premiership campaigns at home to Inveraray and Newtonmore respectively tomorrow.
Lovat are already assured of finishing third in the table - their highest ever placing - while a win for Glenurquhart would see them end the campaign fourth, which is one better than last season and also a club record.
On paper, Lovat would appear to have the easier task against last Saturday’s losing Camanachd Cup finalists, who were left totally demoralised by their narrow 6-5 defeat against Kyles.
For Lovat teenage striker Greg Matheson, the season has already been a huge success and he will hope to add to his tally of 21 goals. He currently lies second in the Premiership goal scoring table, three behind Kingussie’s Ronald Ross and two in front of Inveraray’s Garry MacPherson.
Glenurquhart have the opportunity to rain on Newtonmore’s parade tomorrow as a win or draw would confirm the Badenoch side as champions for the third year in a row.
Newtonmore also have the added incentive to give outgoing manager Norman MacArthur a rousing send off after he announced his intention to retire at the end of the season.
Barring a total meltdown tomorrow, MacArthur bows out on a high and takes a large amount of the credit for restoring the fortunes of a once dominant club. His three title successes aside, MacArthur will forever have a place in the affections of the ‘More support for bringing the Camanachd Cup back to the Eilan after an absence of 25 years.
Kyles Athletic, who sit out tomorrow’s schedule, could still pip Newtonmore to the title, but need ‘More to loose heavily against the Glen and then score a barrowload against Inveraray in their final match to over turn a whopping 13-goal deficit in the goal difference column.
In the Marine Harvest leagues, the North Division One title race reaches a crucial stage with Lochaber at home to nearest challengers Skye.
A win for the Spean Bridge side would leave them needing just a point to clinch the title, which could come a week later at Lochcarron.
Inverness dust down their camans after a five week lay-off as they prepare for their penultimate match of the campaign at Beauly.
It is all about preparing the way for next season for the city club’s boss Calum MacLeod, who has done well since taking over in mid-season.
A win for the home side would see them draw level with third place Caberfeidh, leaving them to garner a further point from their remaining two games to overhaul the Strathpeffer side, who have completed their fixtures.
Meanwhile, the semi-finals of the London Shield - the National Junior Championship - take place at An Aird tomorrow with Lochaber against Oban Celtic, while last season’s defeated finalists Kinlochshiel take on Kingussie. The final is set for Inverness on 20th October.
The 18th Great Glen School’s Shinty Sixes for under-16’s is set to take place on Wednesday 26th September at Blairbeg Park, Drumnadrochit.
Last year’s winners Kingussie High School will be looking to defend their title against a selection of schools from across the North. Play commences with the league sections at noon, while the finals are expected to be around 3.30pm.
For further information on this event e-mail Laura Fraser, of Glen Urquhart High School, on lfraser515@highlandschools.org.uk, or Allan MacLeod on a.macleod80@btinternet.com.
