Shinty - Inverness is set to host MacTavish Cup final between Kingussie and Lovat
CAPTAIN Martin Mainland says his team are determined to brush off the bridesmaid tag and stick a major trophy in the cabinet at Lovat Shinty Club for the first time in a decade.
Lovat are set to take on holders Kingussie in the final of the MacTavish Cup at Bught Park in Inverness on Saturday with throw-up at 4:05pm.
The Kiltarlity outfit will be looking to win their first major trophy since claiming the Camanachd Cup in 2015. Since then, they have reached the Camanachd Cup final five times but lost on each occasion.
Lovat have reached the final of the MacTavish Cup for the first time since 2014 when they defeated Glenurquhart 5-1.
Despite coming close to winning silverware on several occasions in the last 10 years, Mainland admitted it has been a source of frustration they have not achieved more success.
He says they are determined to end their trophy drought and claim a major trophy for the first time in 10 years on Saturday.
He said: “It gives us a chance to push and try and win something again.
“We have got to a few finals over the last few years, we just need to try and get over the line and get another trophy in the bag as it has been too long.
“We are starting to get a reputation of always being the bridesmaid but never the bride.
“The final step is to get that one step further.”
Lovat are having a difficult time in the Premiership this season as they find themselves second bottom after suffering a 5-2 defeat to Skye last weekend.
However, their form in cup competitions has been excellent, having reached the final of the MacTavish Cup and have also reached the quarter finals of the Macaulay Cup and the Camanachd Cup.
Mainland says Lovat are determined to put their poor league form behind them on Saturday, but knows Kingussie will pose a tough test.
He said: “This season has been a mixed bag, we have been undefeated in the cups so far, but not great in the league, so it is hard to say.
“Kingussie are the biggest club in shinty and they are renowned for having good teams, but it is never going to be easy.
“We’re just not going to make it easy for them. As long as we can make it challenging for them on the day and see what we can take out of it, that is all you can ask for.”
The final will also mark the first major sport occasion for the redeveloped Bught Park in Inverness with the grandstand set to be completed in time for Saturday.
Mainland says a big crowd is expected to travel from Kiltarlity to support them on Saturday and he hopes his team can give them something to cheer about.
He also says to win it at a ground like Bught Park, which he says means so much to shinty, would make a victory extra special.
He said: “We haven’t been in a final at Bught Park since the Camanachd Cup final in 2017 against Newtonmore.
“It is good to be back and see what we can do. The Bught is a hallowed ground for shinty and it is quite local to us so we should have plenty of fans.”
