CUP specialists Kyles Athletic are fixing their sights on league honours in 2015 as they bid to become the first team from shinty’s south area to win the Marine Harvest Premiership.

Two wins from their opening two matches have launched their title bid in impressive style but tomorrow they are in Drumnadrochit to face Glenurquhart, also unbeaten and tucked in behind Kyles in second place in the table.

“This is exactly the kind of game we need to be winning if we want to mount a serious challenge for the title,” declared club secretary Mick Atkinson.

He added: “We came so close in 2011 – we lost to Newtonmore on the last day to a last-minute goal – and we were close again a year later. This year I think the desire to win the title is there again but I think our away form will be crucial.”

“The guys are training really well and there is a real buzz about the place. Having Grant Irvine back to full fitness for the first time in three years is a real boost – he has been terrific at full centre – and Andy King who missed all of the 2014 season is back and having him in the side is hugely encouraging.”

Atkinson is realistic about the Tighnabruaich side’s ability to chase league and cup success however.

“We do not have strength in depth and that is a concern. A run of injuries would hit us hard so we are keeping our fingers crossed on that front.”

Kyles have added club legend Kerr “Barney” Crawford to the management team to work alongside manager Norman MacDonald and coach James Perlich.

Kyles take a full-strength squad north with the exception of goalkeeper Kenny MacDonald who is recovering from a hip injury. John Whyte retains the keeper’s jersey and Atkinson is hoping that at the other end of the pitch Roddy MacDonald can keep up his impressive start to the season — he has scored six goals so far.

“Roddy looks to be getting back to his best and he is playing with loads of confidence. Glenurquhart do not give much away at the back but we are prepared for a tough match.”

Glenurquhart, for their part, are waiting on a fitness test on midfielder Eddie Tembo while captain Andy Corrigan, who flies in from Dublin for matches, should be available after missing the RBS MacTavish Cup win over Beauly.

In 2014 Lochaber and Kinlochshiel fought out a season-long relegation battle and they meet tomorrow at Kirkton with ‘Shiel off to a flying start while Lochaber have disappointed their fans with heavy defeats against Newtonmore and Kyles in their last two outings.

‘Shiel’s Finlay MacRae, who last season captained the Scottish international side, is not reading too much into Lochaber’s early season form, however.

“I watched them against Lovat in the first game of the season and I was fairly impressed,” he said.

“They beat us 4-1 last year so I guess we have a score to settle,” he added.

MacRae is pleased with his side’s start to the season where they beat Lovat and drew with Glenurquhart.

“Those were hard matches and I thought we played well and maybe deserved to win both.”

MacRae, who plays alongside his brothers John and Keith, has dropped back into half-back – a position he feels he is his best.

“I think the team has a better balance this season. John has moved up front and he has formed a good understanding with Keith. Also Mark MacDonald is playing at full centre and I think he has been terrific”.

MacRae added: “Confidence is so important and it is vital to get points on the board in the early part of the season.”

Elsewhere reigning champions Newtonmore host Oban Camanachd while Kingussie will look to bounce back after successive defeats when they meet Lovat at Balgate. In the final match Fort William and Inveraray meet at An Aird with the home side looking to kick-start their season after two defeats.