Kingussie crackshot James Falconer will miss Sunday’s Artemis Macaulay Cup final at Mossfield Park – while a freak accident making a sandwich has made Daniel Madej a doubt for opponents Oban Camanachd.
This first senior trophy to be decided on a Sunday, to allow live TV coverage, with a 2.05pm start, sees the teams clash again after Kingussie’s 4-1 win in last weekend’s Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup semi-final.
Falconer has had six stitches inserted in a knee gash sustained in the closing stages and the 24-year-old plumber, who has been enjoying a splendid season, is ruled out. But skipper Savio Genini, who also came off with a knock, has made a full recovery.
“James’ was an unusual injury as he collided with the edge of a lighting column behind the goal,” said manager John Gibson.
“He’s bitterly disappointed at missing the final but we have quality replacements to choose from in James Hutchison, Louis Munro and Dylan Borthwick.”
Madej, Oban’s scorer last Sunday, was making a sandwich at home when the knife slipped and cut his finger.
“He had to go to hospital for stitches and when he turned up for training, Daniel was struggling to hold a stick,” said manager Gareth Evans.
“He’s one of our better players and hopefully the extra 24 hours will work in our favour and we can get Daniel taped up and ready to play.”
While Kingussie have won the Macaulay 25 times, Oban’s fifth and last success was 27 years ago and the Red and Blacks would dearly like to end that wait – but they accept they need to step up a couple of gears.
“On our home pitch, it’s time to stand up and be counted,” said Evans.
“TV viewers last Sunday couldn’t be blamed for thinking we’d been over-hyped, because we just didn’t perform. The lads knew themselves, they didn’t need me to bang on about it.
“This is an opportunity to show we’re capable of a much better performance. We were non-existent in midfield, where Kingussie’s Liam Borthwick ran the show, and we need to put that right.
“We’ve a big squad and there will be personnel changes. Young Ross Campbell and seasoned performer David Lafferty did well when they came on as substitutes and pressed their case to be in the starting line-up.”
Brothers Blair and Louie MacFarlane, 19 and 17 respectively, will line up together for Oban in a senior final for the first time.
John Gibson stresses that holders Kingussie, who beat Oban 3-2 in the 2019 final, won’t be complacent.
“We switched our second training session to Friday night because the game is on Sunday,” he said. “Oban will have a lot more motivation and it should be a pretty close affair.
“Small margins decide big games and despite last weekend’s scoreline, Oban were still well in things for an hour until Lee Bain scored our second goal, which quickly triggered two more. We need another good, focused display if we’re to hold on to the trophy.”
In the Mowi Premiership, the local derby between the bottom two, Kilmallie and Fort William at Caol, could leave the loser staring at relegation. Fort’s Arran MacPhee has had his injury confirmed as torn cruciate ligaments and his season is over, while Bryan Simpson has a broken hand. But Lewis Clark, Ally MacRae and Mark Grant are available again to face Kilmallie, who won at An Aird earlier in the season.
Second top Kinlochshiel, who have rattled off seven wins and a draw in their last eight Mowi Premiership matches, aim to maintain the run against Glasgow Mid Argyll at Balmacara.
Another final another Stat Pack…
Here's all you need to know ahead of Oban Camanachd vs Kingussie in the Artemis Macaulay Cup Final. https://t.co/D9nhoABc6R
— Shinty (@camanachd) August 17, 2022
Lovat, ten points behind leaders Kingussie but with four games in hand, have Drew Howie back from suspension against third-placed Newtonmore at Kiltarlity. Caberfeidh, now safe from the drop after two good wins, make the long trip to Kyles Athletic.
Unbeaten National Division leaders Beauly, who have rattled in 50 goals in ten league games, can take a big step towards clinching promotion if they beat third-placed Lochaber at Spean Bridge. Skye, also unbeaten and four points behind Beauly with two games in hand, entertain Glen Urquhart while Strathglass head for fourth-placed Inveraray.
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