The Skye Camanachd players locked horns for the annual North v South Ewen Morrison Memorial Cup clash at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 21 February 2009. The match is played in memory of the much loved Ewen Morrison who faithfully provided Skye Camanachd with transport to away matches in the 1970s.
A school football match deprived the South of several players with Shockie MacLennan, Danny Morrison and brothers Stewart and Iain Grant all missing. Neil MacVicar and Paul MacKinnon missed out for the North for the same reason. Ally MacLennan, Jamie Gannon, Kerr Gibb, Jamie MacDonald, Thomas Butler, Robert Urquhart and club captain Kenny Campbell were all missing for a variety of reasons. In fact there were enough players missing to raise a third team, demonstrating the strength of squads available to managers Angie Murchison and Davie MacVicar.
The South still put together a strong side. John “Spod” MacLeod took up position between the sticks and looked comfortable all afternoon. MacLeod will be a valuable addition to the second team this season, allowing manager Davie MacVicar to play Ross Graham outfield. The South defence consisted almost entirely of the first team back line with Steven Morrison, Dougie Rankin and John Moir joined by under 14 captain Martin Bruce.
Gilleasbuig MacDonald dominated the centre line for the South and he was ably assisted by Irish hurler Nigel Burrows and Iain MacPherson. Their attack was orchestrated by Somhairle MacDonald with Iain Nicolson and Keith MacKenzie always dangerous and Eoghan Stewart got himself into some good positions.
Ross Graham kept goal for the North and he was their best performer on the day. Second team players David Grant, Willie MacRae and Malky Munro made up the remainder of the defence along with Skye Camanachd player of the year Allan MacLeod.
AB Connor battled hard at full centre with Scott Martin and Allan “Ginger” on the wings. The North forward line of Alan Palmer, Norman MacLeod – making his shinty comeback after an 8 year absence – and Kieran Roberts supported full forward Angie MacDonald.
A looping shot by Iain Nicolson gave the South the lead and when Gilleasbuig MacDonald doubled their advantage, it looked as if this contest was going to be a very one sided affair especially as Ross Graham had to make several fine saves to keep the score down.
However the North responded and when AB Connor powered forward from midfield. He saw his rocket shot end up in the back of the net after it was intimately deflected by Angie MacDonald’s rear-end. This wrong footed John MacLeod in the South goal, who seemed to have the original shot covered.
The North introduced John Angus Gillies into the centre line but it was the South who took control in the second half. A double strike from the ever alert Keith MacKenzie finished the game as a contest. His first was a neat, low, snap-shot which gave Graham no chance and he netted his second after linking up well with Somhairle MacDonald.
The North had possession up front throughout the match but they were unable to convert their pressure into shots on target to really trouble MacLeod.
Ian Nicolson completed the scoring and his hunger in front of goal bodes well for Skye for the season ahead.
The Ewen Morrison Cup was presented to South captain Steven Morrison by Chris-ann MacDonald, niece of the late Ewen Morrison.
Several players will have done their chances of first team selection no harm in front of the watching first team manager Angie Murchison who was putting the final touches to his squad ahead of next week’s friendly in Oban against Oban Camanachd.