MacPhee absence line is certainly convincing

Shinty: Cup given a miss as trio test new technology for Uefa

“I never dreamed it would clash with cup tie” “They’re the cup holders and at home, so they’ll be fired-up”

Two Fort William regulars and Kilmallie’s usual goalkeeper will be missing when the teams meet in the Camanachd Cup at An Aird tomorrow – because they will be in France testing the goalline technology for the Euro 2016 football championships.

Fort midfielder Niall MacPhee is project manager for the goalline technology system being pioneered by Uefa and he has included team-mate Calum Shepherd and Kilmallie keeper Shane Gillies in his testing team.

MacPhee said: “I told the club three months ago that I'd miss this weekend, never dreaming it would be the Camanachd Cup, a really unfortunate clash.

“We fly out to meet Uefa officials at the Lyon stadium on Saturday for tests and talks. Calum and Shane are Strathclyde University students in civil engineering and sports science and I've managed to get them an internship which will look very good on their CVs. My younger brother, Arran, who hasn't played for Fort for 18 months through injury, is also in my testing squad."

MacPhee, who tested the hockey pitches for this summer’s Rio Olympics, has also been involved in testing the technology for the Bundesliga play-offs in Germany. He will soon test the relaid running track at the London Olympics Stadium.

Fort co-manager Victor Smith said: “It was a shock to find it clashed with a Camanachd tie. Making it worse, Calum Shepherd is my nephew, though the blow was softened when I heard he was also taking Kilmallie's goalkeeper."

Without a win this season, Fort have no casualties as they prepare to host their neighbours, a division lower but unbeaten.

Kilmallie will switch wing back Robbie MacFadyen to goal in place of Gillies. Manager Mark MacPherson said: “We've a good second-team goalkeeper in Kyle Michie but he still plays in our under-17 team and this tie would be asking a lot of the lad. Robbie played in goal several years ago and did well and we've cover for him outfield."

Craig MacIsaac has completed his two-game ban after being the first player sent off under the new rule about swearing at a referee. But the defender will play for the second team tonight and will not be considered for the tie.

The local rivals have not clashed in the national tournament since the 2005 final at An Aird which Fort won 3-2. Former Fort player Duncan Rodger is in his first season with the Caol club and leads the attack.

Lovat, who last September won the Camanachd Cup for the first time in 63 years, will be severely weakened for their opening defence against Newtonmore tomorrow as key players jet off to Portugal today. Top scorer Greg Matheson is among them and manager...