THE Artemis MacAulay Cup reaches the semi-final stage today and two of the four teams involved will be without their regular managers. Lovat’s John MacRitchie is in Dubai on a pre-planned holiday while Oban Camanachd’s Gus Campbell has had to step down from his post for health reasons.
Campbell is a highly respected figure in the sport and his absence from the Camanachd dug-out is a serious blow for the club. He was voted the Marine Harvest Manager of the Year for the National Division for 2014 in recognition of his efforts in leading the Oban club back into the Premiership after just one year.
He guided his team to the final of the Celtic Society Cup this year, where they lost narrowly to Kyles Athletic. A win over Inveraray tomorrow would see Camanachd through to the final of the MacAulay Cup for the first time since 2012.
Campbell said: “It has been a very difficult decision but it is for the best. Your health comes first but I am devastated that I will not be with the lads as I think they have a genuine chance of making it through to the final and even winning the trophy”.
Campbell added: “Cup success gives a club a boost but the big challenge we face is to ensure we remain in the Premier Division.We have 10 games left – seven of them at home – so we have a good opportunity.”
Iain Hay, a Camanachd stalwart and Campbell’s deputy, takes over for today’s match and it seems likely he will be in charge for the rest of the season.
Camanachd should be at full strength and will rely on the scoring prowess of Andrew MacUish and Lorne Dickie who have scored 25 goals between them this season.
Inveraray are in a similar position to Oban Camanachd with progress in cup competitions being overshadowed by the spectre of relegation hovering over them in the background.Their last appearance in the final came in 2010 when they lost 4-3 to Kingussie.
In the North section the semi-final line-up is a repeat of last year with holders Newtonmore meeting Lovat at Beauly’s Braeview Park.
That game ended in an easy 4-1 win for More but assistant manager Ian MacKintosh expects tomorrow’s tie to be a lot closer.
“We are preparing for a tough game,” he said. “They are a good outfit with an excellent forward line and if we are not at our best we will be punished”.
Newtonmore have been boosted by the news that top defender Steven MacDonald will be available after missing out due to work commitments. Full-back Norman Campbell faces a last-minute fitness test having missed last Saturday’s 2-0 win over Kinlochshiel with a knee injury.
Lovat have called on former first-team manager James Gallagher to hold the reins in MacRitchie’s absence and he is confident that the Balgate side will be in next month’s final.
“I am not planning any drastic changes but before he left John and I discussed a few tweaks to the normal line-up,” Gallagher said. “We are hoping it will work but we are up against the best team in the sport so it is going to be a hard 90 minutes”.
Fraser Gallagher and Lewis Tawse are unavailable and Gallagher has drafted in Euan Ferguson and Conal Macillechair from the reserve side.
There are three games in the Marine Harvest Premiership. Lochaber will look to consolidate second place when they meet Glenurquhart at Spean Bridge while Fort William and Kingussie face each other at An Aird with both teams anxious to avoid becoming embroiled in a relegation battle.
Kinlochshiel make the long journey south to meet Kyles Athletic with the Tighnabruaich side remaining Newtonmore’s most credible challengers.
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