The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Kingussie to welcome back key players for Fort William cup clash
James Hutchinson, who gained a record 13th winners’ medal last autumn, makes his comeback for holders Kingussie in Saturday’s Artemis Macaulay Cup first-round tie against Fort William at The Dell.
The valiant veteran is one of five key players returning for Premiership leaders Kings, who are setting out to equal their own record of 17 years ago, when they were the last team to achieve three successive wins in the tournament.
James Falconer, who scored twice in the 4-1 win over Kyles Athletic in last year’s final, returns from an ankle problem while Robert Mabon, Fraser Munro and last year’s winning skipper Rory MacKeachan are also fit and available for the record 25 times Macaulay winners.
“This cup has been good to us and it’s great to have important players back,” said manager John Gibson.
Fort welcome back talisman Arran MacPhee following a two-game ban. Lewis Murphy and Calum Shepherd also return to the squad and co-manager Victor Smith said: “We’re greatly heartened by our display in drawing with Kinlochshiel last week and we hope to build on that.”
Lovat have not won the Macaulay trophy for 69 years, but have won all four games this season and could be in the reckoning if they beat Kilmallie at Caol.
Lovat boss Jamie Matheson said: “We’re without twins Craig and Martin Mainland who are at a stag do and Lorne MacKay is at a wedding. Sixteen-year-old Angus Mearns played the last 20 minutes against Kyles and did well, so he’ll figure again.”
The post-pandemic wedding glut has also hit Kilmallie, who have Robbie MacFadyen and Steve Macallister as wedding guests while Michael Rodger is on a stag trip.
Oban Camanachd have Malcolm Clark and Evan MacLellan back for their all-Premiership clash with Glasgow Mid Argyll at Mossfield, where the pace of the home attack will test the Mid Argyll defence.
This tie is preceded at the same venue at noon by Oban Celtic v Kyles Athletic, whose last triumph was in 2013.
Kyles are without George Thomson and Robbie Macleod, both unavailable, while Andy King is injured.
Ross Macmillan has moved from Oban Celtic to 2009 victors Inveraray and strengthens an attack missing Lewis Montgomery who begins a three-game ban by missing their home tie with Col Glen.
Caberfeidh have been handed a walkover win against Lochaber, who were unable to field a team. Bute travel to Fife to face Aberdour.
Newtonmore legend and great shinty ambassador Rob Ritchie, 80, collects his British Empire Medal from the Lord Lieutenant on lunchtime – then hopes to see his team face Kinlochshiel in the Artemis Macaulay Cup first-round tie at The Eilean.
The Blue and White Hoops will be without Steven Macdonald, completing a two-game ban, for their big cup clash, while Declan Brannan serves a one-game ban.
Shiel are bidding to kickstart their season and attackers Jordan Fraser, Keith MacRae and John MacRae will pose problems for the home defence.
Ballachulish host new club Cruachanside for the first time in the new Single Team Competition first round and, in the National Division, Glen Urquhart will look to win at home to Strathglass and push into promotion contention.