DRY FOR CELTIC FINAL...SO FAR, SO GOOD

Plenty of shinty action this weekend to enjoy - provided the thundery showers don't put paid to the prospect of them being played.




The big cup game this weekend is the AJG Parcels Celtic Society Cup Final, but more of that later...

WILL TAYNUILT RIP UP FORM BOOK?

Captains Stuart Scott, Taynuilt and Inveraray's Scott Robertson would love to get their hands on the old trophy

It's an all-Argyll affair in the AJG Parcels Celtic Society Cup final this Saturday, as it was last year at Inveraray when Kyles took on Oban Camanachd - both (then) premiership sides.

This year's 108 Celtic Cup Final, at Strachur's new community playing field, will be contested between south division one club, Taynuilt and premiership outfit, Inveraray - and refereed by Argyll man, Robert Baxter.

The north equivalent, the MacTavish, followed a similar pattern this year when premiership Newtonmore faced north first division Lochaber last weekend. Despite some determined play, with no little skill, Lochaber ended up the wrong side of a 5-1 thumping.

TENNIS RULES FOR SHINTY?

Tennis star David Nalbandian hit the headlines for the wrong reasons at the weekend after a line judge was injured at Aegon Championships final at Queen's club.
The Argentinian player, performing well and a set up at the time, all of a sudden found himself facing a break point in the second set - when he inexplicably kicked a panel in front of line judge Andrew McDougall's seat, injuring him in the process.

This show of temper got him disqualified. It cost him the the chance to close out the match, win the title and become (I understand) the first South American to win a major grass court title.

What the dickens (or words to that effect) I hear you say, has this got to do with shinty? This website is called Shintyfan, after all.

Well, it got me thinking. Never a good thing...

LOCHABER SO SORE - AND KYLES GO TOP

There was to be no fairytale MacTavish Cup Final win for Lochaber as they were defeated 5-1 by reigning premier league and Camanachd Cup champions, Newtonmore.

SHINTYFAN POLL - WHO WILL WIN THE MACTAVISH?

From left - Lochaber's Hugh Innes and John MacKenzie of Newtonmore discuss the Shintyfan poll

Have your say in another of our popular polls on Shintyfan.

This time the question is simple: Who do you think will win this Saturday's Co-operative MacTavish Cup Final?

Vote for your favourite - and tell your mates to make their vote count.

You'll find the poll on the left hand side of this page.

DOUBLE DEFEAT FOR SHINTY'S OLD FIRM

What a weekend of sport.

Never mind your overpaid tennis stars, puffed-up-with-their-own-importance Euro Championship footballers or freakishly muscular rugger internationalists battering each other into brain damage.

Photo by John MacTavish

I'm talking about real sport - shinty.

If it's the real thing you're looking for and if sporting upsets are what you're after, look no further.

This is a season that looks as open as any in recent years, with any half-decent side - on their day -  capable of beating any other team.

And for the fans, it's turning into a pretty exciting one to watch.