LOOKING FORWARD TO SEASON...

THIS weekend's pre-season friendly matches are given a little added spice now that shinty clubs know their early season schedules.



Issued by the Camanachd Association on February 12, the 2015 draft fixtures list has thrown up some intriguing opening day encounters on March 7.

The standout for any neutral is Newtonmore against Kyles Athletic in the Marine Harvest Premiership.

The Badenoch side, premiership champions for the past four seasons, will offer a stiff test for Kyles. The men from Cowal will be working hard to be ready for the Eilan challenge, and notwithstanding a few personnel changes they still have the venerable Kenny MacDonald between the sticks to offer security to his defence.

Also in the top tier, there's an eye-catching all-Argyll clash between Oban Camanachd and Inveraray in Oban and an improving Kingussie travel to Drumnadrochit to face Glenquhart.

In the Marine Harvest National Division there is a clash or the newbies, with newly-promoted Ballachulish playing host to Inverness, a club that volunteered to take the place of Bute in the second tier of shinty after the island club decided to take a step back to the regional leagues in a bid to consolidate.

Looking at the line-up of teams, the Marine Harvest National Division looks like it will be tight, and very competitive despite just eight teams being involved.

Across all the leages some exciting matches are in prospect, and Shintyfan cannot wait.

It's getting close now...

The full fixture list is here.