Oban Camanachd go for glory on home soil

Oban is gearing up to host the prestigious Artemis Macaulay Cup, which is coming to town on Saturday.

 

Oban Camanachd will face-off against Kingussie in a 2.05pm throw-up at the Mossfield Stadium, with the locals looking to lift the trophy for the first time since 1995.

 

However, they did come close last year, narrowly losing 3-2 to Kingussie, who would be crowned eventual Grand Slam winners.

 

Oban Camanachd boss, Gareth Evans said: "The Macaulay Cup has always been an important competition to Oban Camanachd and was a target for us at the start of the season.

 

"Kingussie are Grand Slam winners, and they are a top team, but they are there to be got at and if we play like we did last Saturday, then we have a chance."

 

His side are coming off the back of a 2-o win against Lovat in the Camanachd Cup Semi-finals, with that win meaning Oban Camanachd have now reached all three major cup finals this season.

 

"We have a fit side and the boys know they must train hard to be in the team", the coach added.

 

"The way our centre line is playing at the moment is the big plus for us, especially on the bigger pitches.

 

"Ross Macmillan is ineligible after playing just 15 minutes for Inveraray earlier in this competition, so Evan MacLellan will come back into the squad."

 

Oban Camanachd's path to this year's final began with a 5-0 win against Bute, before a 3-0 win against Inveraray in the next round.

 

They then dispatched Glasgow Mid Argyll 1-0 in the Semi-finals, with all three ties taking place at Mossfield.

 

However, they face tough opposition in Kingussie, who are setting out to lift the cup for the fourth successive season to add to their record of 28 Macaulay Cup successes.

 

They scraped past Oban Camanachd in their two meetings this season, winning by a one goal margin in the teams' two league fixtures.

 

Kingussie manager, Iain Borthwick said: "We know Oban Camanachd will be difficult opponents, especially with the final on their own pitch. I watched their Scottish semi-final against Lovat last week and they played well."

 

An extended preview of the Artemis Macaulay Cup Final is included in this week's print edition of the Oban Times, available from local petrol stations and shops.

 

The match was also be broadcast live on the BBC Alba channel.