Lovat looking to book final place against the Glen
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LOVAT continue the defence of the RBS MacTavish Cup tomorrow as they take on Kinlochshiel in a rescheduled semi-final tie at Balgate.
At stake is a place in next month’s final where Glenurquhart lie in wait following their dramatic semi-final triumph over Newtonmore last weekend.
Given their status as holders, Lovat go into tomorrow’s tie as clear favourites and with two wins over ‘Shiel already this season, hopes are high in the camp that they can win through to defend the trophy against last year’s beaten finalists.
Lovat should be at full strength for the tie, although midfielder Craig Mainland will miss out as he recovers from a broken hand injury.
For ‘Shiel, bidding for their first-ever MacTavish Cup final placing, last Saturday’s abandonment after just 20 minutes is something of a disaster as they have been forced to hand over home advantage.
They will be without international full back Paul MacRae, but youngster Duncan MacRae comes into the squad after missing last week’s brief encounter.
A repeat of last Saturday’s dramatic penalty shootout between the Glen and ‘More cannot be discounted tomorrow in this tie either with ‘Shiel taking Lovat to extra-time in last month’s Macaulay Cup tie.
Whatever the outcome, the prospect of two teams from outwith Badenoch lining up in a MacTavish Cup final for the second year in succession is a rare event and something that has not happened for over 60 years.
While Lovat take an enforced break from league duty, their rivals for the Orion Premiership are all in action with leaders Newtonmore facing a difficult match against old rivals Kyles Athletic at Tighnabruaich.
Former Ranger’s manager Walter Smith once famously said that the Old Firm are always just two defeats away from a crisis and that quote may well be ringing in the ears of ‘More manager Paul John MacKintosh as he looks for a positive reaction from his side following their traumatic shootout defeat against Glenurquhart.
MacKintosh has been stoically dealing with a seemingly never ending catalogue of injuries affecting key players with Danny MacRae and Norman Campbell serious doubts for tomorrow’s clash.
This will be more than a dress rehearsal for next Saturday’s Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup tie with the pair scheduled to meet again, also at Tighnabruaich, in a repeat of last year’s final.
Glenurquhart and Lochaber also face each other in the league and cup on consecutive Saturdays with the Glen looking to maintain their outside bid for the title.
Kingussie have edged themselves almost unnoticed into the title race in third place and they will look to take advantage of any potential Newtonmore slip to close the gap at the top.
There are three matches in the Marine Harvest National Division with Beauly looking to go top if they overcome Glasgow Mid Argyll at Yoker.
Fort William face Glenorchy and with Niall MacPhee back after suspension and Gary Innes available they will be backed to maintain their unbeaten start to their league campaign. In the final game, Kilmallie come up against Bute with the islanders looking increasingly detached at the foot of the table.
In North Division One, the derby clash between Beauly and Lovat has been switched to tonight with a 7pm throw-up time at Braeview.
Meanwhile, there was a north-south split when the semi-final draw for the Balliemore Cup was made in midweek with the south duo of Aberdour and Ballachulish paired with each other, while Inverness will Skye will meet in an encounter neither would have chosen ahead of the final.
Of the semi-final quartet, Skye have the best record in shinty’s intermediate trophy with three appearances in the final. Inverness and Ballachulish have each appeared in one final with unsuccessful challenges in 1993 and 2001, while Aberdour have never been beyond the quarter-final stage in their short history.
The semi’s will go ahead at neutral venues, yet to be announced, with the final set for Taynuilt on Saturday 12th July.
The draw for the quarter-finals of the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup has also been made and Glenurquhart will have home advantage for their clash with Lovat, while Beauly need to negotiate a last 16 meeting with army outfit The Scots before heading to Kingussie to take on the current holders.
Ullapool-based Lochbroom host Fort William, while in an all-south pairing Kyles Athletic host Lochside Rovers from Oban. The quarter-final ties are scheduled for Saturday 7th June.
