Shinty: Col Glen boss reflects on journey to Premiership ahead of Kingussie test

Newly-promoted Col Glen are set to welcome Mowi Premiership reigning champions Kingussie to The Clachan of Glendaruel for the first time.

Col Glen boss Ronnie MacVicar said: “I think we’ll have the biggest crowd of the day.

“We’re under no illusions about how difficult it will be against Kingussie, but as long as we come out of the game with a bit of respect, I’ll be over the moon.

“We were playing fourth tier shinty 10 years ago so to now be in the Premiership is amazing.

“Some of the boys might not get this chance again and that’s why Cally Mcnaughton, my usual full back is playing up front despite carrying an injury.

“He’s not really fit enough to play at the back, so we’ve moved Scott MacVicar there and he’s probably my best forward. It’s been that sort of season.

“Andrew MacVicar is likely to miss out again with a hamstring injury and Hamish Harrison is a doubt, but we’ll get on with it.”

Kingussie manager Ronald Ross said: “I’ve never been to Glendaruel so I’m looking forward to it.

“Col Glen are no mugs and, especially at home, they’ll be competitive, there’s no question about that.

“They’re big, strong, fit lads but I always say it’s about what we do, and we’ve trained well, and we’ll travel with the right attitude and application.

“James Falconer’s back training which is great. He could probably have played against Skye last week, but it was good to rest him for another week.

“Kieran Macpherson arrived back from Canada last Friday and he’s looking fit.

“We might send Kieran and James with the second team initially, but we’ll have competition for places with everyone back fit and I’ll have decisions to make.”

Headache for Skye boss

Skye’s injury woes have compounded ahead of Lochaber’s visit.

With William MacKinnon and Ruaraidh MacLeod missing games with shoulder problems and Sam Macphee’s struggling with a hand injury, Martin Pringle took a blow to the hand against Kingussie last week and although he played on, it was later confirmed that he has a fractured knuckle.

James Morrison completes his three-match suspension but Seonaidh Alex Macleod returns.

Max Campbell and Jack Dignan are available again following suspension for Lochaber, but Ryan Johnstone is banned. Manager Ally Ferguson will carry out injury checks on Shaun Nicolson, Kevin Ferguson and Fin Macdonald.

The sides will also contest the Thomas Ferguson memorial cup.

Kyles Athletic and Kinlochshiel clash at Tighnabruaich.

Home manager Grant Profit said: “We’re looking good this week. Roan MacVicar’s back in the squad and Jamie Forgrieve’s over his suspension.

“I’m still without Somhairle Thomson, Innes Macdonald, Will Cowie and Cammy Jack though.

“We’re looking forward to a double-header as our second team are at home against Ballachulish earlier in the day.”

Shiel boss Willie MacRae added: “WD MacRae, Jonnie MacAskill and Zander MacRae are all back after missing the defeat at Oban, but Ollie MacRae still has a problem just below his knee. We’ve been working on our shooting in training, and I want to see more fight than last week.”

Caberfeidh are the latest club to try to puncture Newtonmore’s 100% record whilst Oban Camanachd are without Malcolm Clark for the trip to Fort William.

MacTavish Cup draw

Kingussie and Newtonmore have been kept apart following the draw for the WM Donald MacTavish Cup semi-finals.

More visit Caberfeidh whilst The Kings are off to Lovat meaning the prospect of a Badenoch derby in the final looms large.

The road to Mossfield in Oban begins this weekend with the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup first round. Kilmallie welcome Glenurquhart whilst Lovat should be too strong for Inverness in the Highland Capital.

Oban Celtic meet Ardnamurchan at Mossfield whilst Glasgow Mid Argyll host Strathglass.

Bute have Scott Harvey free of suspension against Inveraray who miss the banned Lewis Montgomery.

In the WCA Premier League, Badenoch welcome Glenurquhart, Skye host Inverness and Kinlochshiel play Lochaber.

[Source: Press and Journal]