Shinty: Injury worries mount ahead of west coast derby

The Mowi Premiership returns this weekend and there’s a west coast derby in Portree where both Skye Camanachd and Kinlochshiel have injury worries.

Skye manager David Taylor said: “John Gillies, Jordan Murchison, Martin Pringle and Iain MacLellan continue to be concerns and whilst Ruaraidh MacLeod is free of suspension, he’s unavailable this weekend.

“We’ll dip into the under-17 squad again, but I don’t have a problem including the youth players as the likes of Lachlann MacLeod, Leo Templeman and Harry Speed have already shown this season that they can make the step up.”

Kinlochshiel boss Willie MacRae said: “Conor Cormack is our main concern and although he’s been running, I’m in two minds whether to risk him.

“I don’t want something going wrong and losing Conor for the rest of the season.

“We’ll have Ollie MacRae back after he missed the game in Glasgow and likewise with Jay MacRae who played for the second team last week.

“Duncan Macmillan keeps his place, and I’ll take a big squad as we’ve no second team game. We’ll also take a large support, for what will be a tight game.”

Oban Camanachd and Kingussie meet at Mossfield. Oban Camanachd assistant manager Iain MacMillan said: “It’s a huge game. Lorne Dickie, Ross Macmillan and Ross Campbell all missed the win over Beauly last week.

“Lorne’s definitely out again this weekend, but Ross Macmillan and Ross Campbell have both logged runs on Strava and have a good chance of being fit enough to make the matchday squad.

“Evan MacLellan and Calum MacMillan are going to be longer-term absentees though as it looks as if both may need operations.”

Selection headache for Kings

James Falconer, Rory MacKeachan and Lee Bain all missed Kingussie’s win over Col Glen last week and boss Ronald Ross said: “James, Rory and Lee have long-term injuries unfortunately.

“Kieran Macpherson came off at half-time last week with an injury and Savio Genini didn’t start as he’s also carrying an injury. It’s something all clubs have to deal with, and we’re no different.”

Fort William’s Johnny Forster is free of his two-match suspension ahead of Newtonmore’s visit. Newtonmore have Declan Brannan back from his ban, but Conor Jones is suspended.

More manager Peter Ross said: “We’ve left Iain Robinson on the bench for the last couple of matches as he recovers from a hamstring injury.

“We could have used him if needed but we’re now at the point where the medical reports say he can return.”

This match takes Newtonmore to the halfway point of their league season, and they still have a 100% record.

Col Glen won plenty plaudits following their narrow defeat at Kingussie last week and they play Lochaber at The Clachan of Glendaruel. These are the top-flight’s most recently promoted sides and Lochaber’s Max Campbell serves the second game of his four-match ban.

Caberfeidh visit Kyles Athletic without the suspended Connor MacGregor.

In the Ferguson Transport & Shipping Balliemore Cup quarter-finals, favourites Lovat are through to the semi-finals as Oban Celtic are unable to field a team. Kilmallie, minus the banned Jay MacLeod, welcome Glenurquhart whilst Beauly play Inverness.

Anderson back for GMA

In the Mowi National Division, Glasgow Mid Argyll’s Craig Anderson is free of suspension for Bute’s visit.

Following their league draw last week, Kinlochshiel and Skye Camanachd meet again, this time in the Mowi Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup quarter-finals at Rèaraig.

Inverness host Badenoch, who lost 3-0 to Lochaber in the league last week, whilst Glasgow Mid Argyll meet Glenurquhart. Lochaber received a bye.

The Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup quarter-final draw paired Oban Camanachd and Caberfeidh.

Oban assistant manager Iain MacMillan said: “You only have to see how close Caberfeidh ran Newtonmore in the MacTavish semis to realise we’ll need our best to progress.”

Holders Newtonmore host Glenurquhart who are the only side from out-with the topflight to make the last four of the competition.

Kingussie welcome Kinlochshiel and Skye have home advantage versus Fort William.

[Source: Press and Journal]