Lovat facing another crucial game
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
LOVAT co-manager James Gallagher may miss his side’s final match of the season tomorrow as he is booked on a pre-planned holiday flight early on Saturday evening.
The game in question, however, could hardly be more crucial in Lovat’s bid to remain in the Scottish Hydro Premier Division next season.
They play Kilmallie in a match which has already been rearranged three times, needing maximum points to avoid returning to North Division One after just two seasons in shinty’s top flight.
"It is really disappointing to be in this position, but the holiday was booked to coincide with the school October break and at the beginning of the season I was pretty sure that the league would have been done and dusted by now," he said.
"We leave from Glasgow, so I am planning to take in the first half and then head off to the airport. It is going to be agony not knowing what’s happening, but hopefully we can keep in touch with phone texts."
Lovat hope to name their strongest squad in weeks, although long-term injury casualties James Grieve and Fraser Gallagher will not be fit in time.
Drew Howie came through a tough workout against Glenorchy last Saturday on an energy-sapping pitch which has been described by some of the Lovat players as the worst they have ever played on.
A win for Lovat would see them move to the 15-point mark, two ahead of Inveraray who have one match left to play as well.
Also in the drop zone are Oban Camanachd, currently on the 12-point mark and facing reigning champions Newtonmore at the Eilan.
Tomorrow, the odds are stacked heavily against the Argyllshire side, who will finish their season with a home tie against Kilmallie.
Elsewhere, Kyles look to cement their place at the top of the table in a clash at home to Kingussie, who finish their schedule tomorrow.
Kyles, bidding to become the first-ever team from the south to win the Premier Division have a difficult run-in with Inveraray and Newtonmore still to come at home.
In the final match, Glenurquhart wrap up their season against Glenorchy where a win for the Glen, coupled with a defeat for Kingussie, would see them clinch fourth place in the table.
