Former Fort William manager Drew MacNeil will become the first player to captain and then manage the Scotland shinty-hurling international team.
The Camanachd Association has awarded MacNeil a two-year contract as national squad head coach to succeed former Lochcarron manager Fraser Mackenzie, who stood down last autumn.
It is a major leap back into the game for MacNeil, who was sacked by Fort William at the end of October, six weeks after steering the club to a third successive Camanachd Cup triumph.
MacNeil has been Mackenzie’s assistant for the past three years, so his appointment will provide continuity which is particularly welcome as this year there will be two internationals with Ireland for the first time – at Croke Park, Dublin, on October 30 and in Inverness on November 13.
“I’m delighted at the appointment and my first task will be contacting last year’s backroom staff asking them to stay on to assist the squad,” said MacNeil.
The association is to advertise for a new assistant national coach.
Meanwhile promoted Lovat yesterday signed pro-mising defender Drew Howie from Fort William and he is in their squad for the Premier Division trip to Bute.
Howie joined Fort last summer from Inverness but Lovat president Ian Ferguson said: “He was commuting to training in Drew MacNeil’s car but now he’s left the club. Howie had no means of getting through to Fort William. We’re very pleased he’s joined us as he’s young yet reasonably experienced.”
Seventeen-year-old twins Martin and Craig Mainland, who starred in the second team last season, have been drafted into the Lovat first-team squad as co-managers John MacRitchie and James Gallacher try to ensure the Kiltarlity side, relegated in 2008, survives in the top flight.
Bute are top of the table after thumping the other promoted team, Glasgow Mid Argyll last weekend, but they only edged through 4-3 against Lovat in April 2008 after the visitors led 3-0.
Champions Kingussie hope to finally get started when they host Inveraray, who won their opener and who have former international raider Russell MacKinlay available regularly this season. Ally MacLeod is suspended for Kingussie while Lee Bain, a new signing from Strathglass, hopes to shrug off an injury in time for his debut.
Newtonmore duo Danny MacRae and Norman Campbell are back from holiday and will face Oban Caman-achd at Mossfield Park, a tricky test for the Eilean out-fit after dropping a point on Saturday.
Fort William are without John MacLeod, who is off to Canada to work for three weeks, for their visit to Glenurquhart. Kyles Athletic and Glasgow Mid Argyll, both losers on opening day, meet at Tighnabruaich.
Beauly, winners of the only North First Division fixture last weekend, look to stay top by winning at Lochcarron.
Ally Ferguson’s Lochaber need to beat Kinlochshiel at Spean Bridge to boost their hopes of bouncing straight back up to the Premier Division. Inverness shipped 11 goals against Kilmallie last season.
Brian Mackay makes his belated debut as Strathglass manager when they entertain Caberfeidh, who won on their last visit to Cannich.