Skye Camanachd have boosted their bid for promotion to the Mowi Premiership by swooping to sign Neil MacVicar from Kyles Athletic.
The experienced midfield player, who has been based in Helensburgh, is moving back north and Skye manager Kenny Macleod said: “He’s an excellent signing for us, bringing plenty of ability and experience.”
MacVicar, who played in Skye’s 2016 Premiership campaign, moved to Kyles, where his uncles Duncan and Donnie played, in 2018.
Kyles manager Robert Baxter said: “Neil has done a great job for us but we appreciate he is leaving the area and we wish him all the best.”
Kyles have George Thomson and Conor Kennedy available again for their Premiership visit to Glasgow Mid Argyll and Baxter is pleased that Marcus Keith is to play in a trial for Scotland Under-17s.
Shinty round-up: Lovat pull off cup shock against MacTavish Cup holders Kinlochshiel
Mid Argyll have lost all three games and need a result to get off the bottom.
Table-toppers Kingussie have ruled out Fraser Munro and James Hutchinson, both with hamstring problems, for their home game with Kinlochshiel.
Lee Bain and Ian Fraser are available again for The Dell men while manager John Gibson said: “Cameron Bremner, signed from Glen Urquhart, got his first team debut for 20 minutes last week and he’ll play a bigger part against Shiel.”
Wester Ross boss Johnston Gill said:”We’ve Arran Jack and Zander MacRae fully recovered after missing our defeat against Lovat. David Falconer has a hamstring issue and will be on the bench.
“This is a big test for us after losing to Lovat and we’ve got to be up for it.”
Lovat have international defender Callum Cruden back from a two-game ban for their home game with Oban Camanachd. But they will be without key men Greg Matheson and Danny Kelly, who are at a wedding. Manager Jamie Matheson is also ruled out and assistant Euan Ferguson takes charge.
Oban have similar problems with Daniel Sloss on a work course and Daniel Cameron unavailable. Manager Gareth Evans said: “Scott Robertson will come in for his Premiership debut while Scott MacKillop returns.”
Second top Newtonmore have ruled out injured Drew MacDonald and Iain Robinson from their home game with Fort William.
“They’re also likely to miss next weekend’s home league game with Kingussie,” revealed co-manager Norman MacArthur.
The visit of leaders Beauly, who have hit 17 goals without reply in three games, to second top Skye at Portree is the pick of the National Division card.
“It should be a great tussle,” said Skye boss Kenny Macleod.
“Our defence has been outstanding, with new keeper Murphy Henderson only conceding one goal, so I’ll be surprised if Beauly score too many against us.”
Lochaber bid for a third successive league win when they welcome bottom side Aberdour to Spean Bridge while Craig Macmillan is again suspended for Oban Celtic’s visit to Strathglass.
MacTavish Cup tie called off
An outbreak of Covid-19 in the Glen Urquhart camp has forced the postponement of Saturday’s Cottages.com MacTavish Cup first round tie against Caberfeidh at Strathpeffer.
Glen manager Dave Stewart said: “We’ve six first team players self-isolating and I’ve got the bug myself, so the tie will now be played on April 9.”
Michael MacQueen is poised to come out of retirement to help Lochside Rovers when they face holders Newtonmore at Oban in the first round of the Highland Industrial Supplies Sutherland Cup.
The experienced marksman retired at the end of last season but new Lochside manager Andrew Pearson, rebuilding the side, aims to coax him to a cup comeback. MacQueen was in Lochside’s 2017 Sutherland Cup winning side.
Sixteen-year-old Innes Jackson is a goal threat for Rovers but defender Calum Macmillan misses out with a knee injury.
Veteran Glen Mackintosh, holder of several Camanachd Cup medals, hit a hat trick as Newtonmore beat Lovat 5-1 in this final last year, and he will pose a major challenge to the Oban defence.
Dylan Borthwick, who hit four goals in a game earlier this month, spearheads 2012 winners Kingussie for their tie with 2009 victors Fort William.
Lewis Camanachd make the journey from the Western Isles to face Boleskine at Farr while Strathspey head for Aberdeen University.
Kinlochshiel’s visit to Skye will have a noon start, as will Glasgow Mid Argyll’s home tie with Kilmory.
The new combined Strachur-Dunoon team makes its tournament debut away to Inveraray.
