Lovat are slight favourites - MacKenzie
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
GLENURQUHART’S Fraser MacKenzie insists Lovat have to be considered the favourites for tomorrow’s eagerly anticipated Co-operative MacTavish Cup final in the Highland Capital.
Fans of the two Premiership rivals are expected to flock to Bught Park for a clash that is perhaps the most significant in the area for a number of years, breaking a long-standing near monopoly of the competition held by Badenoch giants Kingussie and Newtonmore.
This may be the first time the sides have faced each other in a MacTavish final, but they have each appeared on the big stage before, the most recent being Glenurquhart in 2008 when they lost out 5-1 to Kingussie.
Lovat have to go back to 1987 for their last MacTavish final — they were beaten by Newtonmore — but they have won it once when their side made a clean sweep of shinty’s trophies in 1953.
The match tomorrow looks to too close to call, although Lovat have claimed the bragging rights this season with victories in both the league and MacAulay Cup.
These previous meetings, however, will be set aside by both managers in the build-up with MacKenzie, who shares the Glen management duties with Drew MacNeil, expecting a tight battle with a Lovat side that he feels has the tag of pre-match favourites.
"There is no doubt that we have to bring our A game to the Bught," he said. "Anything less and we will be sunk.
"They look to be favourites, but I am confident that if we can be at our best we can come out on top.
"We showed what we can do in the semi-final when we beat Newtonmore on their own patch and Drew and I are looking for another performance like that on Saturday."
The significance of the match is one not lost on Lovat manager Allan MacRae.
"The area around Inverness is steeped in shinty, yet our teams have always been overshadowed by sides from Badenoch, Lochaber and Argyll," he said.
"This season things are different, though it’s hard to believe that in over a century of playing shinty, this is the first time both clubs have met in a senior final."
MacKenzie revealed that Scotland internationalist Andy Corrigan will miss the big game due to work commitments and that is a huge loss for the Glen.
"Andy is very influential, but he works off shore and is unable to get back in time," he explained. "It is really hard on him, but we have a contingency plan in place."
MacRae, who is in only his second year in the Lovat managerial hot seat, has been busy plotting the Glen’s downfall, although he has had to re-organise his attack to fill the space vacated by the suspended Lorne MacKay.
They have new signing Kevin Bartlett as a ready replacement, but beyond that MacRae is remaining tight-lipped about his starting line-up.
"Not even my players know that," said MacRae, who is hoping to take his squad on a relaxing nine holes at the Aigas golf course on the morning of the match. "I will be revealing it on the morning of the game, but I think it is true to say that there will be very few surprises".
For Glenurquhart, getting a settled side on the field has been their biggest problem this season, but they have solid experience with Scottish internationals David Smart, John Barr and keeper Stuart MacKintosh forming a strong spine of the side, while 18-year-old Ewan Brady has shown his appetite for the big time with several important goals so far this season.
Tomorrow’s MacTavish Cup final throws-up at 4.05pm and is being televised by BBC Alba.
Tickets are priced at £10 for adults and £5 for concessions, while it is free for under-12s when accompanied by a paying adult. These can be bought on the day or via the Eden Court Box Office.
Sponsors the Co-operative have arranged a full programme of events with a come and try taster session for primary school children, starting at 1pm — the same time Fort William and Newtonmore’s juveniles contest the MacTavish Under-17 Cup final.
For further information, or to register your child, contact the Camanachd Association on (01463) 715931, or e-mail events@shinty.com.
