The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Father and son in Rovers medal hunt against Kingussie
Former Oban Camanachd stalwart Steven Sloss has made a comeback so he can play alongside his 15-yearold son Daniel.
Both will play for Lochside Rovers against Kingussie in today’s Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup final at Fort William.
“Steven played when Oban won the Camanachd Cup in 1996 and then gained a Sutherland Cup winner’s medal a year later,” said Rovers manager Gareth Evans. “Now, on the 20th anniversary of Lochside’s last win in the tournament, he’s back and will play full back. Nine years ago Steven gave up the game when he was 28 but we’re delighted to have him back and he’s made a massive difference to us.
“He wanted to play with Daniel, who is going to be a really terrific player. It would be great if they could pick up medals together.”
Michael MacQueen had drifted out of shinty but Evans persuaded him back three years ago and now he is captain as Rovers go for their first Sutherland success since beating Glengarry in the 1997 final, although they were runnersup two years ago.
“Michael and Steven are, with Iain Macmillan, our three old heads but the rest of our players are under 21,” said Evans.
Daniel MacCuish, an Oban Camanachd regular but eligible as he is still 17, and 16-year-old Craig Morrison and Lewis Buchanan, will line up for Lochside, half of whose team are in the under-18 side.
Kingussie manager Ally Macleod has four 16-yearolds – Dylan Borthwick, his cousin Liam Borthwick, Kieran MacPherson and Bradley Harvey.
He can also call on two 40 somethings, former firstteam favourites Rory Fraser and Kevin Thain, who are likely to figure from the bench.
Rory’s 17-year-old son Somhairle will captain the side and play at wing back. First-team forwards Zander Michie, Roddy Young and Ruaridh Anderson are all 17 and have gained remarkable senior experience for their age and they will be a major threat to Lochside hopes.
Beaten 6-0 by Newtonmore in last year’s final, the Kingussie youngsters are out to take the trophy back to the Dell after a fiveyear wait. They have won the trophy nine times to Lochside’s seven.