Mactavish, Sutherland, Bullough and Strathdearn Cup draws made
THE DRAWS for the RBS MacTavish Cup, Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup, Bullough Cup and Strathdearn Cup all took place at Highland Print Studio, Inverness, on Monday 23 January.
The draws were made by Alison McMenemy from the Highland Print Studio and Glenurquhart keeper Stuart MacKintosh, who is the player representative to the Camanachd Association.
The venue was selected because Highland Print Studio is about to embark on an exciting venture with the Camanachd Association which will see artists working with shinty clubs to create a series of prints celebrating the contemporary culture and heritage of Scotland’s iconic indigenous sport of shinty. The project has received funding from the Highland Culture – Take Pride, Take Part Investment Fund.
Newtonmore went into the RBS MacTavish Cup draw as holders while their second team were 2016 Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup winners.
Tayforth were reining Bullough Cup champions and Lochcarron lifted the Strathdearn Cup last year.
2017 Balliemore Cup Draw
The draw for the 2017 Balliemore Cup will take place at 2pm in the Camanachd Association Office, Inverness, on today (Thursday).
All Camanachd Association members are welcome to attend.
2017 Camanachd Cup Draw
The final cup draw for the 2017 shinty season, the prestigious Camanachd Cup, will take place in early March when the preliminary round and first round ties will be pulled out of the hat.
The second round draw will be made after the first round ties have taken place.
The 10 Marine Harvest Premiership sides join the competition at the second round stage.
2017 shinty fixture list
One sure sign that the new shinty season is just around the corner is the imminent release of the new fixture list.
Camanachd Association operations and events manager Astie Cameron has confirmed that the 2017 fixture list is due for publication on Tuesday January 31 .
The fixture list will include all competitions except the Camanachd Cup, which is drawn on a round by round basis throughout the season.
Oban Celtic announce pre-season plans
Oban Celtic manager Kenny Wotherspoon has set his side four testing pre-season friendlies throughout the month of February as they prepare for life in the Marine Harvest National Division.
The Oban Celtic squad open with a game against Taynuilt at Ganavan on Saturday February 4.
Marine Harvest Premiership side Glasgow Mid Argyll come to Mossfield to play Oban Celtic on Saturday February 11.
There will also be top division opposition a week later when Kilmallie are the opponents, again at Mossfield.
The ever-popular Robert Wylie Memorial Cup match takes place on Saturday February 25 as Ballachulish come to Mossfield.
Oban Celtic will be out to win back the trophy after Kinlochshiel took it west with a 5-1 win last year.
The throw up times are yet to be confirmed.
Daniel Madej will continue as Oban Celtic club captain this coming season, with Neil Carmichael as vice- captain.
Oban Camanachd prepare for the new season
Oban Camanachd have resumed training in preparation for season 2017 and hoping to build on last season’s success that saw the club finish second equal in the Premier League and reach the final of the Scottish Cup, losing narrowly to Newtonmore.
With last year’s team captain James MacMillan taking a year out in Australia, it was expected that promising youngster Ross MacMillan would be given a chance to establish himself in the first team. However, he has decided to leave the club and play for Oban Celtic next season.
Commented team manager Ian Hay: ‘With the team playing in the top flight of shinty, it Saturday June 10. is important for the players to commit to the training schedule laid down by the club. To this end, we are disappointed to have lost Ross but we wish him well.
‘However, on the plus side, the club welcome back Connor Howe and Matty Rippon, who have shown the commitment required at the level the team play at, as well as showing loyalty to the team manager.’
On going to press both Camanachd and Lochside were trying to arrange much-needed match practice for this weekend.
Camanachd Association step up hunt for new chief
The Camanachd Association has stepped up the hunt for a new chief executive officer to lead the organisation following the departure of Torquil MacLeod after the Association’s annual general meeting in November 2016.
The association previously advertised the post but didn’t make an appointment after interviewing four candidates.
They have since taken time to review the terms and conditions on offer and the post, based in Inverness, has been re-advertised, now offering an increased salary of between £ 35,000 and £45,000 depending on experience.
The new chief executive officer will be responsible to the Camanachd Association president and board of directors for ensuring the smooth running of the organisation, marketing and communication.
The role is based at the association’s head office in Inverness and the job description and candidate specification are available from the Camanachd Association website www.shinty.com. Any interested applicants can also discuss the post in confidence with Camanachd Association president Jim Barr by calling 07900 052568.
Kilmallie AGM
Kilmallie hold their annual general meeting at Caol Community Centre tomorrow (Friday January 27).
It is a big year for the Caol Parks side as Mark MacPherson’s senior squad returns to top division shinty.
The AGM starts at 7pm and all are welcome.
Rory Kennedy is new captain of Newtonmore
Rory Kennedy will captain Newtonmore in the new shinty season.
Kennedy takes the armband from fellow defender and fellow Scottish internationalist Steven MacDonald, who lifted all major honours open to the club last season with the exception of the Artemis Macaulay Cup.
Kennedy has put a time on the sidelines with a serious hand injury behind him and he was a key player in a solid Newtonmore defence which only lost 23 goals in 28 competitive games in 2016.
He is also a mainstay in Ronald Ross’ Scotland squad.
Dallas Young appoints Kingussie assistant
New Kingussie first team manager Dallas Young has wasted no time in appointing his assistant manager for the new season.
Barrie Dallas, a first team regular for many years, will as- sist Young in his new role. Ally MacLeod and Ronald Ross will continue to lead the Kingussie second team.
Doe MacRae to assist at ’Shiel
Doe MacRae will assist new Kinlochshiel manager Johnston Gill this coming season.
MacRae is a well-known figure in shinty circles and Gill has nominated him as his right-hand man as the new management team look to build on the successes of 2016 under former boss Colin Fraser, who was voted out of the managerial hot-seat at the end of last year after leading the team to Artemis Macaulay Cup success and a fourth place finish in the Marine Harvest Premiership – their highest finish ever.
Johnston Gill previously managed the side for a threeyear period, leading them to the Marine Harvest North Division 1 title and Balliemore Cup success.
Gill will be without John Don MacKenzie and Duncan ‘Ach’ MacRae this season as both have joined Glasgow Mid Argyll.
Aberdour prepare for new season
Marine Harvest South Division 1 side Aberdour will prepare for the new shinty season with four warm-up matches.
Lisa MacColl’s Aberdour squad open with a match against Fort William at Silver Sands on Saturday January 28.
They then host Marine Harvest Premiership new boys Glasgow Mid Argyll at the same venue a week later.
After a two-week gap, the Aberdour seconds and the Kyles Athletic seconds meet at Silver Sands on Saturday February 18. Throw up for this one is at 1.30pm.
Then, just seven days ahead of the new shinty season, Aberdour head for the Dell to face the Kingussie second team on Saturday February 25.
Beauly pre-season programme
Beauly have put their preseason plans in place as new boss Alan MacRae looks to hit the ground running as new boss of the Braeview Park side.
Beauly lost 5-2 to Lovat in the Lovat Cup on Monday January 2 but they showed enough in the second half of that match to demonstrate that they will be able to build on the progress made last season.
There’s an early start for the Greens as a mixed Beauly first and second team side host Aberdeen University at Braeview Park on Saturday January 28.
There will be no on the field action on Saturday February 4 as the club hold their fundraising sale of work at the Phipps Hall.
However, Beauly will be tested over the next three Saturdays as they play top flight opposition.
On Saturday February 11 Beauly make the short journey to Blairbeg to take on Glenurquhart.
They are on the road again on Saturday February 18 as they face Kingussie at the Dell.
Beauly end the month with a third match against Marine Harvest Premiership opposition as they play newly promoted Kilmallie at the Canal Parks.
Glasgow MA AGM
Glasgow Mid Argyll’s are holding their annual general meeting at Hillhead Sports Centre, Hughenden.
The club will review the 2016 season and discuss their plans ahead of their return to the Marine Harvest Premiership next season.