Tricky away days for Kingussie and Newtonmore for first games of new season
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The countdown is under way and with just over a fortnight to go until the start of the new shinty season, clubs across the country now have their much-anticipated 2023 fixture list.
2022 Grand Slam winners Kingussie begin their season a week later than most other teams as they have opted to take their designated ‘Free Saturday’ on the first day of the season when they would have faced newly promoted Beauly.
When they do return to competitive action, it will be against Lovat at Balgate, ironically the scene of their final game of last season when they were presented with the Mowi Premiership trophy following a hard-fought goalless draw.
Kingussie then have back-to-back meetings with Caberfeidh – first at the Dell in the league and then in the cottages.com MacTavish Cup first round at Castle Leod.
Kingussie manager Iain Borthwick said: “It’s the start of a new season and we have just got to take it week by week. Every game is going to be tough, but we are keen to get going.
“Lovat away is a difficult prospect for our first game of the season but the boys are going well in training and we are ready for it.”
Newtonmore begin their season with a trip to Oban Camanachd.
The sides met twice towards the very end of last season with the home team winning 1-0 on each occasion so another close encounter is expected.
‘More then meet Glasgow Mid Argyll at the Eilan before a double-header against Kinlochshiel.
First up is the league and then they clash in the MacTavish Cup opening round with both games taking place at Rèaraig.
Newtonmore co-manager Norman MacArthur is looking forward to his team’s opener against Oban Camanachd.
He said: “We had tight matches against them last year so I’m sure it will be the same again.
“We are without Steven Macdonald for the first two matches but should have him back for the games against GMA and ‘Shiel.
“After GMA, it’s two long trips west on successive Saturdays to ‘Shiel but that’s just the luck of the draw.
“I’ve said before that there are no easy games in this league and clubs will need a big pool of players to get through the season.”
“Oban Camanachd manager Gareth Evans is also looking forward to the opening day meeting with Newtonmore.
He said: “I always think we can win every game but I’ve said to the boys that it is imperative that we make a good start.
“However, Newtonmore will be tough. Our games with them were close last season.”
The Newtonmore colts open the defence of their Mowi North Division 1 trophy against Glengarry, but they are without a match the week after as the Fort William second team have their “Free Saturday”.
Kinlochshiel visit the Eilan on Saturday, March 18 and ’More round the month off with the journey north to play the Inverness first team.
“Newtonmore assistant manager Mark Taylor said: “That’s a hard first game for us as Glengarry are a good side and they finished third in the table at the end of last season.
“They have a lot of good players, and we will definitely be tested in that one.
“That game will be our focus and we’ll continue to take a game at a time, just as we did last season.”
The Kingussie second team have their “Free Saturday” on the opening day of the season before taking on their Lovat counterparts at the Dell.
Another big game, at the Inverness seniors, comes next before the Skye seconds visit the Dell.
Strathspey Camanachd begin their Mowi North Division 2 programme against Lewis Camanachd
at Grantown Grammar School on the first day of the season.
Strathspey then travel to Boleskine before welcoming Lochcarron. The last Saturday of the month will be spent journeying east to Aberdeen University.
