Latest news with #MacTavish
Press and Journal
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Shinty: MacTavish Cup final - Lovat skipper says 'ignore league results', as Kingussie counterpart hunts captain's caman
A refurbished Bught Park, Inverness, is the setting for the first final of the shinty season as holders Kingussie meet Lovat in the WM Donald MacTavish Cup showpiece. Both captains think this contest is too close to call. While Lovat may have slipped into the Mowi Premiership relegation zone last weekend, their skipper Martin Mainland said: 'Don't take our league results as an indication of how the final might go – our league form's been patchy but that's down to injuries and player availability. 'We've had a stronger squad for the three cup competitions and we're unbeaten in these.' It is a much-changed Lovat rearguard after keeper Stuart MacDonald and defenders Drew Howie and Daniel Grieve stepped down at the end of last season. Mainland – who has won the MacTavish on two previous occasions – is now fulfilling the full-back role and has been impressed by keeper Ronan Macmillan, who stepped up from the second team. He said: 'Ronan is such a good shot-stopper, but I feel as a defence, we've let him down at times this year. We're all building that experience of playing together – something Stuart, Drew and Dan had for years. 'I've broken my ankle a couple of times recently, including in last year's Camanachd Cup final. I've rested it, but now playing the full back-role suits me.' Kingussie have lifted 11 of the last 12 trophies on offer, but captain Thomas Borthwick, a four-time MacTavish winner, is taking nothing for granted. He said: 'It's a cup final and it's all about what happens during the 90 minutes. 'My first win came in 2010 when my uncle Stephen was manager. 'I've never won a silver-mounted caman before (given to the victorious captain), so that's an incentive – but so is Kingussie winning.' Borthwick's played upfront for most of his career, but is currently revelling in a midfield role. He added: 'I enjoy midfield – whether full-centre or wing-centre – where you're more involved in the game. 'I've had injuries in the past, but I've played every minute this season, and although we've been without key players over recent weeks, we'll be going in with a full squad on Saturday, so the manager has options.' Lovat are without top scorer Marc MacLachlan, who's on a pre-planned holiday, but Greg Matheson should return, while Kingussie welcome back Savio Genini, Lee Bain, Rory MacKeachan, Dylan Borthwick and Cammie Bremner. Earlier in the day, Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh and Rockfield primary school contest the MacKay Cup final before the MacTavish Juvenile Cup final between Glenurquhart under-17 and Newtonmore under-17. With two Artemis Macaulay Cup semi-final spots up for grabs, Oban Camanachd are favourites at National Division side Bute. The Oban side were boosted by Daniel Maccuish's return from injury last weekend. Kyles Athletic and Glasgow Mid Argyll both go into their tie at Tighnabruaich on the back of successive defeats. With Kingussie and Oban Camanachd in cup action, Fort William play their game in hand and can go level on points with the Kings at the top of the Mowi Premiership if they win at bottom side Beauly. The first derby of the season between Kinlochshiel and Skye Camanachd takes place at Rearaig. Shiel were encouraged when Ali Nixon played 90 minutes following injury last week, but manager Willie MacRae fears David Falconer's season may be over with the player on crutches. Skye boss Kenny MacLeod's hopes of including Jordan Murchison have been dashed after the talented forward suffered an eye injury playing for the second team last week. The top two sides in the Mowi National Division clash as second-placed Col Glen host leaders Lochaber. Col Glen, who trail by a point, have Jamie MacVicar free of suspension. Kilmallie's Calum MacDougall misses Inveraray's visit as he starts a three-match ban. In the WCA Mowi Premier League, Lochaber play one of their two games in hand on leaders Badenoch when they visit Skye. Lochaber are currently four points off the top.
Press and Journal
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Shinty: Chilli is back on the menu at Newtonmore ahead of Caberfeidh clash
Shinty's opening day fixture list is reversed as the Mowi Premiership approaches the halfway point. Cameron 'Chilli' McNiven returns for Newtonmore against Caberfeidh. His manager Peter Ross said: 'Chilli's back and we've a clean bill of health other than Michael Russell and Brodie MacBean who have longer-term injuries. 'Brodie has been to Ross Hall Hospital and might need a clean-up operation on his knee but getting him back is going to be such a big boost. I think he's a perfect forward. 'Drew MacDonald and Ritchie Irvine got good game time for the second team last week.' With top scorer Craig Morrison missing through injury, Cabers boss Garry Reid has seen his side draw blanks in their last two outings. He said: 'We just couldn't break Beauly down last week. We had lots of ball in the forward areas, but they defended pretty well. 'I don't think Craig Morrison is ready for a return quite yet and we're also missing Kevin Bartlett. Logan Beaton has picked up a hamstring injury, so I don't think he'll make it either, but Gavin McLaughlin comes back into the squad.' With the WM Donald MacTavish Cup final against Kingussie just a week away, Lovat manager Iain Nicolson takes his side for face former club Skye Camanachd in Portree. He said: 'Unfortunately, we have a few missing for various reasons which isn't ideal both for this important game and in terms of our preparation for the final, but it is what it is. 'That said, I have faith in the boys to get a result and I'm looking forward to coming up against good friends and old teammates.' Skye manager Kenny MacLeod recognises that it's a chance to move out of the relegation zone, saying: 'It's a massive opportunity for us to start climbing the table and I'm fully expecting a tight contest. 'I'm also looking forward to coming up against a good family friend and former teammate in Iain Nicolson. 'I've followed Lovat closely since his appointment, wanting him to do well, but that won't be the case this weekend. 'We'll be at full strength, which is a big boost, and it's great to see Jordan Murchison back training and getting valuable minutes with the second team. He's looking sharp and not far off being in the mix for selection again.' Kingussie manager Iain Borthwick gave a grim report ahead of the trip to Beauly. He said: 'It's not looking good as Rory MacKeachan had a recurrence of his hamstring injury against Skye whilst Savio Genini and Lee Bain are both working. Dylan Borthwick's unavailable and Cammie Bremner only flies back from holiday on Saturday. It's also too early for Liam Borthwick but he's getting there. 'I'm still happy with our 15-player squad. I know they won't let me down and that will make my selection even more difficult come the MacTavish final.' Kinlochshiel's Ali Nixon will have a late fitness test ahead of Oban Camanachd's visit. Shiel manager Willie MacRae said: 'Ali's hopeful and Arron Jack returns. Finlay MacRae and David Falconer are still sidelined, and Mark MacDonald is working.' Daniel Maccuish remains Oban Camanachd's main concern. Kyles Athletic defender Jamie Forgrieve is free from suspension for Fort William's visit. Ferguson Transport and Shipping Balliemore Cup semi-final places are up for grabs and holders Glasgow Mid Argyll visit Col Glen who are without the suspended Jamie MacVicar. The 2023 winners Lochaber are off to Oban Celtic, Inveraray host Aberdour whilst Strathglass and Inverness have derby clash at Cannich. Badenoch extended their lead at the top of the Mowi WCA Premier League after winning 6-1 at Kinlochshiel. Megan Ralph and Kirsty Deans both bagged doubles with Zoe Reid and Hope Borthwick making up their count. Lexie MacKenzie replied. Glenurquhart remain bottom of the table despite their goalless draw with Glasgow Mid Argyll. The Mowi Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup quarter-final ties take place this weekend and holders Lochaber travel to Inverness.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Oilers Had Matthew Tkachuk Convinced They Were Drafting Him
EDMONTON – There are plenty of fish that get away. The Edmonton Oilers have had their fair share of players that slipped through their fingertips in one fashion or another. But one of those players came to bite them by winning the Stanley Cup against them. On Monday, former Oilers GM Craig MacTavish and Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer discussed how close the team was to drafting current Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk. Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. MacTavish said that Tkachuk had an 'unreal' interview with the Oilers before the 2016 draft. Sometime during the interview process, he explained that he had Tkachuk over at his house. He told a follow-up story about a time he ran into Tkachuk while in St. Louis. He didn't specify when this story occurred but shared what Matthew thought of the interview. Oilers Starting Lineup Today Against Struggling Sabres The Edmonton Oilers are on the road again. Edmonton Oilers Prospects: Sam O'Reilly Continues Strong Year Ex-Oiler David Perron And Wife Welcome New Baby After Tough Pregnancy Oilers Best Goalie Prospect Ready For The NHL 'That's Not Really What They Are Like': Oilers Receive Surprising Praise From Matthew Tkachuk Oilers Game Schedule For March 2025 EDMONTON -- It's trade deadline month. 'I was out in St. Louis and ran into Matt,' MacTavish reveals. He then said that Tkachuk said this to his Dad (Keith Tkachuk), 'I told my Dad when I left your house, 'this is the team that I think is going to draft me. I'd love to play here.'' Fortunately (or unfortunately), Calgary drafted Tkachuk and eventually traded him to the Panthers. Instead of drafting Tkachuk, the Oilers picked up Finnish forward Jesse Puljujarvi. 'We had the misfortune of having Puljujarvi fall to us,' MacTavish explained. 'Because we were going to take Sergachev. There was a big discussion between Sergachev and Tkachuk. It was almost a positional bias at the time to get a defenseman.' 'But there was plenty of support for Matt.' There was so much support that someone not in the organization urged the team to select him in the first round of the draft. Stauffer recalled when current Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch contacted the Oilers Now host to give him his thoughts. 'Kris Knoblauch texted me when the draft lottery results came in,' Stauffer revealed. He reportedly said to Stauffer, 'you guys have to take Tkachuk at 4. He's an absolute pain…and he's got a lot of skill.' It's tough to imagine what the Oilers would have looked like if they had gone in this direction. Either way, Mikhail Sergachev and Tkachuk have become full-time NHLers, while Puljujarvi is still looking to see where he fits. Now the Oilers can only dream of what could have been and look to the future, hindsight be damned. Add us to your Google News favorites, and never miss a story.
