The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
More and Glen’s final fling
Ritchies aim to make it family affair in MacTavish finale
Newtonmore goalkeeper Michael Ritchie hopes to step up with his son Craig for the first time to collect RBS MacTavish Cup winners’ medals after tomorrow’s final at Inverness but Glen Urquhart defender Michael Brady is convinced his side is ready to win the trophy for the first time.
Glen have been beaten MacTavish finalists in the past two seasons, once on penalties, and have been preparing thoroughly for their attempt to make it third time lucky.
They knocked Newtonmore out of two cups last year but have lost to them twice this season and the Eilan men have won this competition a record 38 times, the last occasion being three years ago.
Michael Ritchie, at 43, will be the oldest player afield and his son Craig, who has just left school, could be the youngest at 17, and this is the first final in whichtheyhavebeenin the squad together.
Manager Paul John Mackintosh is playing his cards close to his chest but
“Our games with them this season have both been tight”
there is a chance Craigmay be in the starting line-up.
“This is my 23rd season in the first team,” said Michael. “But I only have three MacTavish winners’ and three losers’ medals.
“It would, however, be something really special if Craig and I both picked up winners’ medals.
“But GlenUrquhart are a big, strong side and have just as good a chance as us on the day. Our games with them this season have both been very tight and it could be a really close final.”
Fitness enthusiast Michael, who is also a badminton player, added: “We’ve had a difficult season with injuries but we’ll have some players back by the end of the month to give the manager the kind of selection headache he enjoys.”
Brady, who is 23 and comes from Fort Augustus but now lives in Inverness, is described by co-manager Billy Maclean as the Red andBlacks’mostconsistent player this season.
He missed last year’s MacTavish final but will line up alongside younger brother Ewen, back this season from Glengarry, as Glen attempt to make history.
“The team didn’t turn up in the last two finals and we know we didn’t do ourselves justice,” said Michael. “Now it’s time to stand up and be counted.
“We can’t give Newtonmore any space as they have forwards who can take half chances but we have our own match winners. Our focus will be on eliminating our mistakes and, if we do that, we have the ability to have a really good chance of goingupfor the cup.”
FraserHeath, Neale Reid and Andrew Corrigan are Glen’s top scorers butNewtonmore have been more prolific, spearheaded by Glen Mackintosh with great support from Evan Menzies and Fraser Mackintosh.
Both teams should be at full strength and, while Ne w t o n m o r e start favourites, Glen co-managers Maclean and Dave Menzies have been plotting a route to victory in what could be a fascinating final, starting at 4.05pm to allow for liveTVcoverage onBBC Alba.
The big match at Bught Park will be preceded at 1pm by the RBSMacTavish Juvenile Cup final between Skye and Beauly, while, at the same time on the adjoining pitch, Newtonmore will face Kyles in the Tulloch Primary Schools Cup final. Fort William player Niall MacPhee is in Morocco today but he plans to play for his team in tomorrow’s Marine Harvest Premiership match at Inveraray.
He is due to fly in to Glasgow tomorrow morning, collect his car and drive to Argyll to meet his team at Winterton Park.
MacPhee, a sports surfaces specialist, only returned from Canada a week tonight, after approving pitches for the women’s World Cup, in time to play in their Camanachd Cup win at Kingussie.
Co- manager Victor Smith said: “Niall’s off on his travels again. He left to fly to Morocco, again for work reasons. But he’s assured me he’ll be back on Saturday morning. It’s another example of how committed Niall is to the club, he’s so important to us.”
Inveraray are second bottom of the table, their only league win has been over champions Newtonmore
“It’s another example of how committed Niall is to the club”
and player-manager Garry MacPherson admits they badly need to start picking up points. They are at full strength but, with only six goals in seven games, they have the bluntest top-flight attack.
Second-placed Lovat can draw level at the top if they defeat Kinlochshiel at Kiltarlity. Shiel are on a sticky run, not helped by Keith MacRae and Paul MacRae nursing injuries, and they will be pushed to counter the pace of Lorne Mackay and Greg Matheson who have helped the Black and Whites rattle in 25 goals in nine league outings.
The Wester Ross side hopes goalkeeper Scott Kennedy will be back to take over from stand-in Iain Cameron.
Kingussie can go up three places to third top if they beat Lochaber at Spean Bridge and Fort William fail to win.
Ally Ferguson’s Red and Whites have leaked 25 goals in eight leaguegames, the league’s worst record, but a win could hoist them into the top half of the table.