Fort host Kilmallie in Saturday's mouth-watering An Aird semi-final of the MacTavish Cup.

The An Aird side survived a real scare last weekend against North Division One pace-setters Kinlochshiel as they came from 3-1 down to win 5-3 in the weekend's Camanachd Cup clash.

Fort will now meet Oban Camanachd away in the quarter-finals of the competition. Oban hit five without reply against Glasgow Mid Argyll to reach this stage.

The other last eight ties see Kyles Athletic host Newtonmore, Inveraray welcome Skye and Kingussie go to Drumnadrochit to face Glenurquhart.

Looking ahead to the derby this weekend, McIntyre told the Lochaber News: "We showed great character to come back and win last week. When we fall behind, we try to play the same style of shinty as we usually do and it has worked well for us.

"The first final of the season is the prize for the winners and we always look forward to playing Kilmallie.

"I remember the 2005 final against Kilmallie and the local interest was fantastic.

"While we are confident because we have won 10 of our 12 games so far, we also know that they rotate, using four from five forwards and they can score goals."

Looking back to Saturday's thriller against North Division One leaders Kinlochshiel, he said: "It was an excellent match and a number of neutrals have told me how much they enjoyed it. A combination of excellent saves from their keeper and good fortune saw us 3-1 behind, but I knew with 42 minutes to go, we still had time to turn it around.

"We got it back to 3-2 and, not for the first time, had a goal chalked off. But we got it back to 3-3 and rallied again with two more goals. I felt we deserved to go through. We're looking forward to taking on Oban in the next round."

Fort's second string, meanwhile, were in rampant form at the weekend as they thrashed their counterparts from Glasgow Mid Argyll 11-0 in the second round of the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup.

On Saturday, the Fort side, who top North Division Two, are off to Newtonmmore.

An extra-time goal saw Kilmallie edged out 3-2 at Skye in the second round of the Camanachd Cup on Saturday.

Boss John Morrison was still full of pride that his much-altered squad pushed the islanders all the way. He said: "We had to make six changes to our team, including Alan MacDonald, who called off the night before through sickness. All the lads who came in performed well for us and it was nip and tuck all the way.

"We went in 1-0 down at half-time and we felt hard done by, but we came back into it, scored the goal and reacted when we went behind again by getting another. They had a player (Jamie MacDonald) sent off, which was maybe a wee bit harsh, but even after we fell 3-2 behind in extra-time we had enough chances to win the game.

"We also lost a man when Martin Graham went off injured and we had used all our subs. It was a hard day for us and the crowd were very partisan, but fair and sporting, which impressed us."

The Caol side will be aiming to cause a upset this weekend when they face Fort William at An Aird in the semis of the MacTavish Cup.

Morrison insists his troops will be fired up to be strong at either end of the pitch.

He explained: "Kinlochshiel are probably the form team in our division, so they were always capable of giving Fort William a scare, although I suspect Fort were a few players down. Fort never seem to panic when they are behind.

Fort William's Gary Innes in the thick of the action against Kinlochshiel. Iain Ferguson, The Write Image

"However, there's always hope in cup ties and we'll go into it with confidence. We perhaps are more of an attacking threat than Kinlochshiel, but question is can we keep them out at the other end? If we do, then you never know."

Ewan Stoddart returns to the squad this weekend, while Alan MacDonald and a few others come back from suspension, although Morrison hinted that those who tested Skye did themselves no harm when it comes to selection for this weekend.

Kilmallie's reserves were unable to raise a team for their Strathdearn Cup second round fixture away to Newtonmore last week, so a walkover was awarded to the hosts.

They are set to return to North Division Two action on Saturday when they entertain Beauly.

North Division One side Lochaber had no answer in the second half on Saturday when they had an away tie against Premier Division Inveraray, with the host 7-3 winners in their Camanachd Cup clash.

Caretaker boss Michael Delaney is sure his team will show their full potential when he gets players back from the sidelines.

He explained: "We actually started well in the first 20 minutes and then we lost three quick-fire goals, but got one back before half-time and added another after the break to make it 3-2.

"However, when they score their fourth, they were too strong in the forward line. We have scored three goals in our last two away games, so that gives us plenty to be hopeful about. If we can tighten up in defence, then we will improve, there's little doubt about that."

Lochaber host Locharron on Saturday in a noon start in the quarter-finals of the Balliemore Cup.

Delaney is looking forward to this one.

He said: "This will be the fourth time this season we'll have played Lochcarron, but we're happy it's a home tie. Neil MacDonald, Lachlan Campbell and Danny Delaney could come back, but we won't rush them."

Lochaber's reserves were set to face Beauly in the Strathdearn Cup last night (Wednesday).

North Division Three side Ardnamurchan, who were idle on Saturday, return to action on Saturday when they start at Cannich with a noon throw-up against Strathglass.

Ard manager Stuart Carmichael is eyeing the chance to leapfrog 'Glass by edging this contest.

He said: "It's a bottom-of-the-table clash, so it's an important match for us. We have the chance to move a point clear of them, but we know it will be tough.

"We didn't enter any cup competitions this year and that hasn't helped us, we've been kid of stuck in a rut. Hopefully, we'll be close to full strength and we'll travel there with confidence."

Elsewhere, Glengarry host Glenurquhart in North Division Two on Saturday, looking to build upon their 2-0 win at home to Lochbroom in the second round of the Strathdearn Cup last weekend.

Ballachulish, who were idle on Saturday, return to South Division One action this weekend when Kilmory come calling.

sports@lochaber-news.co.uk

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