An Oban Camanachd star faces a dash from a maternity ward to be able to play in Sunday’s Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup semi-final against Kingussie at Fort William.
Strapping defender Scott MacKillop’s wife is having a baby and has been booked in to a Paisley hospital for Saturday afternoon.
“Scott is adamant that he’s arranged to zoom up the road to play,” said manager Gareth Evans. “He’s ready to drive back to Paisley after the game.
“But it’s all about timing – and I’ll only relax when I see him at An Aird.”
Kingussie call in back-up to end final berth wait
Meanwhile, Louis Munro, head of PE at Stranraer Academy, has answered an SOS and will be in the Kingussie squad on Sunday – and also for the Macaulay Cup Final, featuring the same two teams, the following weekend.
Munro, who helped his old club out in their MacTavish Cup success in June, has been summoned following the broken arm sustained by his brother Fraser Munro, while Calum Grant is still out with a broken finger.
“I’m pleased that Louis is ready for a long-distance commute to come to the rescue again,” said manager John Gibson. “He’ll be involved in the tie at some point.
“Dylan Borthwick is back in the squad, so we’ll be in good shape.”
Kingussie, who have not reached the Camanachd final since their 2014 triumph, hope the historic first senior Sunday fixture can work in their favour.
Midfield veteran James Hutchinson could be ok for the game after a calf muscle strain, with Gibson adding: “Hopefully the extra day’s recovery time will make all the difference for Hutch, and a couple of others who have niggles.”
Youngsters give form team Oban selection headache
Gary Lord, who is to have a knee scan and will not play again this season, is Oban’s only absentee as the 2019 runners-up come into the tie in impressive form – despite this being a rebuilding season under new boss Evans, who has given youth its chance.
Blair MacFarlane, from Taynuilt, was a 16-year-old substitute in the 2019 final and will now line up alongside younger brother Louie, who has made a big impact in his first season.
“Louie and Innes Jackson are still playing for our under-17 team,” said Evans. “And we’re in a good place as a team, with a very committed squad training hard, playing well and enjoying their shinty.
“Competition for places is such that my toughest decision will be who to leave out. Kingussie only lost for the first time last weekend and it’s a duel between two teams who play the game the right way.
“It’s a real opportunity for us and we see a Camanachd final place as there to be won.”
Kings boss Gibson said: “It’ll be tough as Oban are a good young team with a bit of confidence about them.
“We’ve gone off the boil a bit in the last couple of games, but I’m not overly worried as we’ve created chances and we’ve forwards who are proven goalscorers.”
The tie starts at 4.05pm to allow for live BBC Alba coverage.
Saturday’s league action
Drew Howie, key defender of Camanachd Cup finalists Lovat, has picked up a one-game suspension and misses their home Mowi Premiership fixture with Kyles Athletic, who they pipped in last weekend’s semi-final.
Second top Kinlochshiel – fresh from beating Kingussie – are at home to second-bottom Fort William, while bottom club Kilmallie have their work cut out at Newtonmore – where they face Craig MacIsaac who recently switched from the Canal Park club.
National Division leaders Beauly play their first league game since July 9 when they host Oban Celtic, who have Craig Macmillan suspended.
Skye – four points behind Beauly but with two games in hand – visit Strathglass, while third-placed Lochaber head for Drumnadrochit to face Lochaber.
Bottom club Aberdour are at home to Inveraray.
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