With pre-season friendlies underway, teams are gearing up for the upcoming shinty season.
As the countdown to the new shinty season begins, teams across the league are engaging in pre-season friendlies to fine-tune their skills and strategies. With just four weeks remaining until the competitive matches commence, these games serve as a crucial opportunity for clubs to assess their line-ups and integrate new players into their systems.
Newtonmore’s promising start under new management
Newtonmore kicked off their pre-season with a convincing 3-0 victory over Col Glen at The Eilan. Under the guidance of new manager Peter Ross, the team showcased a strong performance, building a solid 2-0 lead by halftime.
New signings from Oban Camanachd, Daniel Sloss and Matthew Sloss, made their mark in the starting line-up, contributing to the team’s success. Cameron McNiven opened the scoring with a deft flick from a long ball, followed by Iain Robinson doubling the lead shortly after.
Drew MacDonald capped off the scoring with a powerful strike from 30 yards, demonstrating Newtonmore’s attacking prowess.
Kinlochshiel’s annual match highlights competitive spirit
In another exciting fixture, Kinlochshiel faced off against Castletown GAA in their annual shinty-hurling match, a tradition dating back to 1979. Despite leading 4-1 at halftime, Kinlochshiel ultimately fell to Castletown, ending the match at 7-4. Manager Willie MacRae emphasized the importance of squad rotation, allowing all 26 players to gain valuable match experience. Donald Nixon stood out as the man of the match, showcasing his skills in the half-back position.
Glenurquhart and Caberfeidh showcase their strength
Glenurquhart also made headlines with a narrow 3-2 victory over Beauly, where Charlie Macleod’s two goals proved pivotal. Manager David Stewart expressed satisfaction with the performance, highlighting the emergence of young talent on both sides. Meanwhile, Caberfeidh demonstrated their dominance with a staggering 9-0 win against Strathglass, with Craig Morrison leading the charge by scoring four goals. This commanding performance sets a high bar for the upcoming season.
Memorial trophies add a personal touch to friendlies
In a heartwarming display of camaraderie, both Kingussie and Oban Camanachd played for in-club memorial trophies, honoring the memories of Liz Young and Donald ‘Moonis’ MacVicar. Kingussie’s match against the Reds ended in a dramatic penalty shootout, showcasing the competitive spirit that defines shinty. The Oban under-30s also triumphed over the over-30s in a closely contested match, further emphasizing the community aspect of the sport.
Looking ahead to the new season
As teams prepare for the official start of the season, the excitement is palpable. The newly released fixture list reveals that Mowi Premiership champions Kingussie will open their campaign at home against newly promoted Beauly on March 1. With new managerial appointments and fresh talent joining various clubs, the upcoming season promises to be one of the most competitive yet. Fans and players alike are eager to see how the teams will perform as they strive for glory in the league.
