Vital league game for Oban Camanachd
OBAN Camanachd return to league business this Saturday after the international break when Kingussie are the visitors to Mossfield Stadium.
A win for either team would ensure premier division status. For the loser there is the scenario of having to play- off against Kilmallie to see who plays in the top flight next season.
The Oban side is still without Craig MacMillan, Keith MacMillan and Andrew ‘Papa’ McCuish for this important fixture, although they welcome back Daniel Cameron who was part of the successful international team which beat Ireland last weekend. Camanachd go into this game on a good run of form and are confident of achieving the win that would see them retain their premiership status.
For Kingussie, this is an unusual position to be in for a club that had dominated shinty for so many years. They have never played outside of the top division. Oban Camanachd team manager Ian Hay commented: ‘The importance of the game cannot be overstated for both clubs. We look forward to the game as we are in good form but we will not underestimate Kingussie who have a proud record in the game.’
Repeat The last time the teams met at Kingussie, the Oban side won 2-1 to secure the points so a repeat of that result is what the red and blacks will be looking for.
The game at Mossfield throwsup at 2pm.
The three fixtures scheduled for South Division One last weekend were postponed because of unplayable pitches which meant Lochside Rovers, Oban Camanachd’s second team, still remain top of the league, two points clear of Bute. But the islanders have a game in hand and a better goal difference making them favourites for the title.
Lochside’s remaining fixture is away to Glenorchy, while Bute play Strachur at home and end with an away game against Oban Celtic who, on their day, are a match for any team making for an interesting finish to the season. Lochside Rovers manager Gareth Evans was honoured at the annual Marine Harvest shinty awards in Inverness last Friday evening. Gareth was named South Division One Manager of the Year.
He said: ‘ We’ve had a great season so far, winning the J C Cameron Trophy, reaching the final of the Sutherland Cup and are still in with a shout of winning the league
‘I am delighted to have been given this award which I share with everyone at the club. I would especially like to thank my team coach David McCuish for all his help this season. He’s been immense.’
However, there was disappointment when the youth development system at the club was not recognised at this year’s Marine Harvest Awards. A club spokesman said: ‘ We have two really good teams at under 14 and under 17 level, and have enjoyed a fair bit of success so are disappointed that this was not recognised. However, we will continue to develop these young players and hopefully they will progress to play for Lochside and then Oban Camanachd at the top level of the game.’