Neighbours Lovat and Beauly set to clash in first shinty match of the year
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KILTARLITY will host the first shinty match of 2024 when neighbours Lovat and Beauly are set to clash for the Lovat Cup.
The match, which has not be held since 2020, is scheduled to take place at Balgate on Tuesday with throw-up at 1pm.
The clash was cancelled in 2021 and 2022 due to Covid, with the game cancelled in 2023 due to a frozen pitch.
However, organisers are hopeful that the match will be able to go ahead on Tuesday and attracts a bumper crowd.
The trophy was first played for in 1904 and is a fixture which alternates between Beauly and Lovat every year.
In recent years, Lovat have dominated the fixture, winning the last five matches in the Lovat Cup.
The last time that the match was played in 2020, Lovat came out on top 3-1 with Greg Matheson scoring twice and Lewis Tawse also finding the net with David Fraser grabbing a consolation for Beauly.
Beauly will be looking to end their long wait to lift the trophy, with their last victory going back to 2015 when they beat Lovat 3-1 at Braeview.
The match will also be used as preparation for the 2024 campaign, where this season Beauly and Lovat will be playing in different divisions.
Lovat remain in the Premiership after they finished the 2023 campaign in sixth place with seven wins from their 18 games.
They reached the semi finals of the Camanachd Cup losing 2-0 to Oban Camanachd.
Beauly’s first ever season in the Premiership ended in disappointment when they were relegated back to the National Division after finishing in 11th place.
Despite a strong start to the season, Beauly ended the campaign with 12 defeats from their 18 games, with five wins and one draw.
Throw-up at Balgate is at 1pm.
