Oban ready to unleash young guns for trip to Kinlochshiel

Oban Camanachd will give 15-year-old student Ross Campbell his chance when they make the trip to Wester Ross to face Kinlochshiel in the home side’s final Premiership fixture.

Campbell, who starred in Lochside Rovers’ Sutherland Cup winning team, is seen as having a big future by first-team manager Steven Sloss.

Former Taynuilt player Blair MacFarlane, who is 16, and Lewis Buchanan, who marked his first team debut last month with two goals against Newtonmore, will also be given their opportunity on the new pitch at Balmacara.

Oban will be without the experienced Lorne Dickie and Gary Lord.

Sloss said: “It gives us the chance to give some valuable game time to Ross, Blair and Lewis, who have all made excellent progress this year.”

He added: “I think all our older players are ready to continue next season. They’ve been stalwarts during difficult times, including relegation, and they’ve picked up a Celtic Society winners medal this year plus runners-up in the Macaulay and Camanachd cups.

“We only really played three bad games all year, two in cup finals and the other against Kingussie in the league. Small margins have been costly, but we’ve got ourselves into position to compete for honours and that’s a big step forward.

“It gives us something to build on. We’ll be stronger next year because our talented youngsters will have come on physically and in match awareness.”

The superb impetus injected into the club by Sloss and assistant Kenny Wotherspon has been hailed – but Sloss said: “In my first season, I’ve learned a great deal about the other teams, which should help me tactically next time round.”

Internationals Finlay MacRae and Conor Cormack are unavailable for Kinlochshiel, while Keith MacRae is ruled out as he recuperates from the injury which wrecked his season.

Manager Johnston Gill will again include 15-year-olds Archie MacRae, younger brother of Oliver MacRae, and Arran Jack along with 18-year-old Glenelg lad Andrew Mackenzie.

Meanwhile, Camanachd Cup final two-goal hero Glen Mackintosh is set to play for Newtonmore Colts for the second week running as they bid to close in on their fourth successive North First Division championship.

They face Glen Urquhart at The Eilean and the win would take them to within a point of leaders Glengarry, who have completed their programme.

Newtonmore are due to be at home to bottom club Aberdeen University next weekend.