New shinty season set to be thrown into action
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Premiership champions Kingussie begin their defence of the title with a home encounter against Caberfeidh on Saturday.
The teams faced each other three times last year with Kings winning all three, two of these by very tight margins.
Kilmallie and Lovat go head to head at Canal Park where another close affair can be expected.
With John Stewart recently deciding to step down as Kilmallie manager, he will be succeeded by his brother Martin who will be hoping to get off to a good start against the side who finished third in the top flight last season.
Kinlochshiel and Newtonmore face up to each other in Badenoch. Kinlochshiel will fancy their chances of making new Newtonmore manager Orsten Gardner’s competitive debut an unhappy one.
Fort William host Kyles Athletic at An Aird and will have their work cut out maintaining their winning league run that yielded 14 straight wins on their way to National Division title glory.
Glasgow Mid Argyll make their return to the top flight after a two-year absence with a home fixture against Oban Camanachd, last season’s runners up.
In the National Division, new boys Aberdour welcome Beauly to Silversands Park. Beauly’s last visit there saw the Fife side rack up a surprise 4–1 win to end Beauly’s interest in last year’s Balliemore Cup.
Strathglass have home advantage over Lochaber who have dropped down from the Premiership while Glenurquhart host Inveraray.
In the remaining National Division fixture, Oban Celtic meet Skye at Mossfield Park.
The majority of opening day fixtures will have the unusual throw up time of 2.31pm, a minute later than normal.
This is in line with the release of Health and Wellbeing articles showcasing the support that the Camanachd Association is offering its member clubs.
They are encouraging all those who attend a game on the opening day of the season to spend that significant minute talking about Mental Health.
Other fixtures: North Division One – Caberfeidh v Kingussie, Glenurquhart v Inverness, Lovat v Lochcarron, Newtonmore v Kinlochshiel, Skye v Fort William.
North Division Two – Beauly v Inverness, Boleskine v Lewis, Lochaber v Strathglass, Strathspey v Aberdeen University.
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