Lovat see off Beauly in new year derby

Lovat secured the first piece of shinty silverware in 2019 when they defeated neighbours Beauly 3–1 to retain the Lovat Cup.

Around 1000 spectators were at Braeview Park for the annual Inverness-shire derby where the Kiltarlity side were given an unexpectedly tough match by a young Beauly team on Wednesday.

Lovat scored the opener within 30 seconds when a sweeping move sliced through the Beauly defence setting up Graeme MacMillan with the easiest of chances as he converted from the edge of the penalty area.

But Beauly equalised when Jack MacDonald connected with a pass from Sean Stewart to beat goalkeeper Stuart MacDonald.

Lovat regained the lead in the 52nd minute when Duncan Davidson found space in the goalmouth area to beat goalkeeper MacKay Murray at his right hand post.

Lovat secured victory in the 82nd minute when ex-Beauly striker Marc MacLachlan was left unmarked to score from inside the penalty area to put a more emphatic gloss on the scoreline.

It was the fourth year-in-a-row Lovat have won the cup. Manager Fraser Gallacher’s side finished fourth in the Premiership and reached the Camanachd Cup final during the 2018 season.

Captain Lewis Tawse received the trophy from Kim Fraser of the Lovat family who first introduced the cup in 1904.

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