SHINTY: Beauly look to take step closer to Balliemore Cup and National Division double; Lovat try to bounce back from Camanachd Cup final disappointment as Premiership returns
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Beauly resume their quest for a place in shinty’s Premiership this weekend after three weeks without a match.
The last time Beauly took to the pitch they were lifting silverware, as they won the Balliemore Cup against Inveraray.
They had been due to play the same opponents two weeks ago before the entire shinty calendar was postponed, and now return to action in a local derby away at Strathglass.
Beauly are potentially just two wins away from securing their place in next season’s top flight – and maybe even the National Division title – so club captain Conor Ross wants to continue the momentum they have built up throughout 2022 and get over the finishing line for the season.
“We’re coming off the cup, so we haven’t really thought about the last few games until now,” Ross said.
“After being in the final last year and getting beat it was good to win, but I think if you ask anybody they will tell you the main goal is the league. That’s the main one.
“If we had got beaten in that final, it might have set us back a little bit but it wouldn’t have been a major issue, because the focus and the commitment in the squad right now is second to none.
“Everything has clicked this year, so it’s no surprise really that we’ve done so well. I don’t think many others will have worked as hard as we have.”
It is often said that the form book goes out the window in derby matches, but Beauly will be keen to ensure it stays firmly in place tomorrow with Strathglass sitting second bottom of the table.
“They always seem to up their game when we go up there,” Ross added.
“There’s a wee bit of needle there from years gone by, so I’m sure they will be up for it. Anyone can beat anyone, so we’re expecting a hard game – it always is.
“We’re confident we can keep our momentum going, but is easy to say. We have to go out and actually do it and get over the line.”
Other shinty round-up
Lovat will be strong favourites to bounce back from Camanachd Cup final disappointment and pick up two points against Fort William in the Premiership this weekend.
The Kiltarlity outfit finished as runners up in shinty’s top cup competition for the fourth year in-a-row last Saturday, losing 3–1 to Kingussie thanks to late goals from James Falconer and Roddy Young.
However, the focus immediately returns to league action, and Lovat will be looking to show that there is no hangover from that loss against relegation-threatened Fort William.
Fort currently occupy a spot in the drop zone, level on points with Glasgow Mid Argyll but having played three games more.
With time running out for them to save their top flight status, then, Lovat can push them towards relegation with a win on home turf.
Lovat may still be keeping an eye on the title picture too, although they will need multiple favours from other clubs to knock Kingussie off top spot before the end of the season.
Kings are on for a grand slam, needing just three more wins to sweep the sport’s major trophies, and in turn if they beat GMA tomorrow it will also keep the relegation battle in the balance.
Other top flight matches this weekend include bottom of the table Kilmallie hosting Kyles Athletic, and Newtonmore’s trip to Oban Camanachd.
In the National Division, Glenurquhart can do Beauly a favour in the title race if they get a result at home against Skye. The third side in promotion contention, Inveraray, host Oban Celtic.
In North Division One, Inverness can close in on a promotion play-off if they win away at Kingussie.
Lovat and Glenurquhart are also on the road, heading to Glengarry and Newtonmore respectively.
The remaining matches see Fort William host bottom of the table Caberfeidh, and a Ross-shire derby between Kinlochshiel and Lochcarron.
Beauly will receive the North Division Two trophy after their game at home against Strathspey, while at the other end of the table Inverness are in action against Aberdeen Uni.
