Badenoch giants ready for start of new shinty season
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Both Kingussie and Newtonmore are braced for a busy month as their respective shinty seasons get under way this weekend.
Kingussie’s bid for a fourth successive Mowi Premiership title begins against Kinlochshiel at the Dell on Saturday.
‘Shiel are the only team out-with Badenoch to win shinty’s top flight since 2006, when Fort William were champions.
Duncan Matheson, Keith MacRae and Ali Nixon have injury niggles but all three are expected to play.
Kingussie will check on Cameron Bremner’s fitness.
Next up is a trip to Blairbeg to play newly promoted Glenurquhart before Iain Borthwick’s side welcome Lovat, minus their keeper Stuart MacDonald, a week after.
The first Badenoch derby of the season against Newtonmore takes place on Saturday 23 March with a huge crowd expected at the Eilan.
Kingussie close the month by beginning their cottages.com MacTavish Cup defence when Lovat visit the Dell for the second time in the month for a first round tie.
Red and Blues boss Iain Borthwick said: “We’re all looking forward to the season starting now and we have a tasty opener against Kinlochshiel at the Dell.
"Hopefully, if this week goes to plan, I will have all players available, and we want to get off to a good start.”
Newtonmore’s campaign begins with a trip west to play Skye Camanachd at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree.
‘More lost home and away to the Islanders last season and co-managers Norman MacArthur and Evan Cheyne will have their charges out to make amends.
It is a tough opener for new Skye manager Willie MacDonald who has recruited Ryan Harrison from Glasgow Mid Argyll and Thomas MacKinnon from Beauly.
However, Jordan Murchison has opted not to play this season.
Next up for ‘More is a home match against Kyles Athletic a week later.
The Blue and Whites are off to Caberfeidh on Saturday 16 February, a week before the derby against Kingussie at the Eilan.
Newtonmore close the month with a cottages.com MacTavish Cup first round tie against Strathglass at the Eilan.
'More boss Norman MacArthur said: “Skye is always a difficult trip and we saw what happened last season.
"That said, I’ve been looking through the fixture list and it is full of tough games.
"I think a lot of sides will take points off each other and I certainly don’t see anyone running away with the title this season.”
In the regional leagues, Mowi North Division 1 champions Newtonmore seconds open with what is likely to be one of their toughest league fixtures of the season when the Strathglass first team visit the Eilan.
‘More defender Jamie Ross is suspended for this one.
Manager Peter Ross said: “We are under no illusions; this will be a difficult season for us as we’ll have a young side. We have goalscorers in our team though and we will get stronger as the season goes on.
“Strathglass probably go into this game as favourites having played in the National Division last season. Favourites have come to the Eilan before though and left with nothing.”
Kingussie begin life in Mowi North Division 2 with a journey to play Aberdeen University on Saturday.
Kings co-manager John Gibson said: “We should have a full squad to choose from for the Aberdeen game.
“Although our match against the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team was postponed on Saturday, eight of our players were involved in the first team match and they all got half an hour or so each. Paul Gow was back, and he did well, playing most of the second half.
“We’re looking forward to this week and getting the season started.”
The Women’s Camanachd Association National Division also gets under way this weekend and the addition on Dunadd and Kinlochshiel, meaning there will be a 10-team top flight.
Boss Scott Campbell and his assistant Iain Robinson will have champions Badenoch well-prepared as they open the defence of their trophy against Glenurquhart at the Market Stance on Sunday.
