MACAULAY STILL STIRS THE BLOOD

The fantastic MacAulay Cup moves centre stage this weekend, and the draw has thrown up some interesting ties, a wee bit of potential for shocks and a break from league duty for some.

The MacAulay, or nowadays the Artemis MacAulay Cup is a good old-fashioned cup competition. South and north teams are kept apart until the final, and this is a throwback to the old-style Camanachd Cup before it was opened up in 1983.


It's still an exciting format, even if familiarity has meant that most of the north-south mystique and novelty has been removed since the advent of national leagues.

I really enjoy it.

But I wonder if Kingussie will enjoy a trip to Spean Bridge to tackle Lochaber.

And how much will Kinlochshiel be relishing a chance to remove Newtonmore - last year's runner's-up - from the competition?

There are plenty of other close-looking games, and cup holders Kyles will be wary of a trip to Inveraray, who knocked them out of the Celtic Cup (which they also won in 2011) at the same venue last month. Neither side has found consistency or goals easy to come by in recent games, and it could be a tight game.

There's a chance for Glenorchy to get revenge for recent narrow Camanachd Cup defeat against Oban Camanachd when they take on their near-neighbours at Dalmally; and in-form Lovat might be very narrow favourites to oust Fort William from the cup, with home advantage and current form in their favour.

Plenty to look forward to, and there's Bullough and Strathdearn Cup on top of league action to savour.

I know it's daft, but I'm fair looking forward to the shinty this weekend.