Camanachd Cup north – south split is nonsense says Newtonmore boss
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Newtonmore boss Norman MacArthur has described the north and south split in the early rounds of the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup.
The Blue and Whites are involved in the tie of the round as they travel to Mossfield to play Oban Camanachd in the second round draw.
The Mowi Premiership sides enter the draw at the second round stage with the opening two rounds subject to a boundary split which has been in place since Covid.
Kingussie and Newtonmore featured in the south half which includes other big guns Kyles Athletic and Oban Camanachd.
MacArthur looked ahead to the tie: “I’ll say the same as last year which is we should go back to an open draw.
"This so-called north – south split is nonsense.
“As far as the draw itself, it is as difficult a draw as you can get. Going to Mossfield is on par with going to Kingussie, Kyles or Kinlochshiel.
"We did quite well against them last year though, albeit their side will be a year older now, so we’ll look for more of the same.”
Oban Camanachd manager Gareth Evans said: “Even before the draw was made, I said I thought the Camanachd Cup should be an open draw.
"That’s a really tough tie but it is one the boys will be up for.
"Newtonmore are a powerful team and, on their day, can beat anyone.
"On the flip side, I’m sure they would have wanted an easier draw. It’s certainly the tie of the round."
Holders Kingussie open the defence of their trophy against either Col Glen, Oban Celtic or Bute.
Kings boss Iain Borthwick said: “All you can ask for is a home tie when these draws are made. We haven’t faced any of these teams very often over recent years, so we’ll look forward to it whoever we play.”
At least two sides from out-with the top-flight will make the quarter-final stage as the winners from the Kilmallie and Fort William tie host Ardnamurchan or Inverness whilst Aberdour or Inveraray play Glasgow Mid Argyll or Kilmory.
Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup – preliminary round (tie scheduled for Saturday 30 March): Oban Celtic v Bute (tie scheduled for Saturday 30 March)
Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup – first round (Saturday 27 April): Strathglass v Beauly; Kilmallie v Fort William; Ardnamurchan v Inverness; Col Glen v Oban Celtic / Bute; Aberdour v Inveraray; Glasgow Mid Argyll v Kilmory.
Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup – second round (Saturday 1 June): Strathglass / Beauly v Kinlochshiel; Lovat v Caberfeidh; Skye Camanachd v Glenurquhart; Kilmallie / Fort William v Ardnamurchan / Inverness; Kingussie v Col Glen / Oban Celtic / Bute; Lochaber v Kyles Athletic; Oban Camanachd v Newtonmore; Aberdour / Inveraray v Glasgow Mid Argyll / Kilmory.
The 2024 Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup final takes place at An Aird in Fort William on Saturday 21 September.
