2013 Scottish Camanachd Cup Final – Kyles Athletic 0 Newtonmore 3 | |
15 September 2013 Newtonmore lifted the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup for the 30th time with a 3-0 win over Kyles Athletic in the 106th final at An Aird on Saturday 14 September 2013. This was the twentieth time that these sides had met in the final of shinty’s blue ribbon event with Newtonmore notching twelve to Kyles’ seven previous victories. Kyles Athletic manager Norman MacDonald knew that his side would not hit Newtonmore with the same level of surprise as they did with the Artemis Macaulay Cup Final. Ace marksmen Roddy MacDonald and Thomas Whyte had been wrapped in cotton wool since that day but both returned to the starting line-up for this epic clash as expected. Andrew King was free of suspension after serving a two match ban for a points accumulation. There was a start for Grant Irvine in attack with Roberto Zavaroni dropping onto the bench. Kyles had opted for a free Saturday ahead of the final when they held a full blown practice match at Tighnabruaich and worked on their tactics for this weekend. Newtonmore manager Paul John MacKintosh was fully aware that one Camanachd Cup success over the last 26 years was nowhere near enough to satisfy the club’s support as they looked to lift the games most cherished. In contrast to Kyles’ preparation, Newtonmore played last weekend and clinched their fourth successive Orion Group Premiership title with a 3-1 win over Kinlochshiel. Newtonmore captain Jamie Robinson picked up a slight heel injury in that game but he started at full centre. Drew MacDonald made a substitute appearance against Kinlochshiel and showed no ill-effects from the knee injury sustained against Fort William a week earlier so earned a place on the bench. Norman Campbell returned to his customary full back position after being rested against ‘Shiel whilst Steven MacDonald started in defence in a bid to snuff the threat posed by Roddy MacDonald with Andy MacKintosh at wing centre. Scott Chisholm kept his place in the team whilst Blair MacKintosh joined John MacKenzie on the bench. Chris Sellar missed out through injury and the final also came too soon for Scotland U21 captain Rory Kennedy who had the plastercast removed from his injured hand during the week. Kyles deployed Grant Irvine wide on the right in a bid to pull Norman Campbell out of position and unsettle the Newtonmore defence. Kyles edged the early stages as both teams mad a nervous opening in front of a crowd of around 4,000. Kyles best opening during the opening minutes came when Sandy MacKenzie and Roddy MacDonald combined but Tom Whyte shot well over under Ackie MacRae’s challenge. From the resultant goal hit, Norman Campbell launched the ball three quarters of the length of the An Aird pitch where it was controlled by Danny MacRae. There seemed little danger when MacRae’s deft touch laid the ball off to Jamie Robinson but his low shot took a horrible bounce in front of Kyles’ keeper Kenny MacDonald and beat him at his left post. There was 14 minutes played, and the goal came against the run of play. Newtonmore went back on the attack from the throw up and Kenny MacDonald saved with his feet from Glen MacKintosh at the expense of a corner. Roddy MacDonald shot wide of target as Kyles fought back. Newtonmore were starting to get into the grove though and Kenny MacDonald palmed away a Glen MacKintosh snap-shot for a corner on 21 minutes as ‘More started to take control of the game. Kenny MacDonald was in action again and he comfortably palmed away a looping Glen MacKintosh shot from distance on 28 minutes. A Fraser MacKintosh shot whistled just the wrong side of the post on 34 minutes. A couple of minutes later, a Fraser MacKintosh ball found Jamie Robinson 25 yards from goal and the Newtonmore captain produced another low shot which was saved with his foot by Kenny MacDonald with ‘More claiming for a penalty. Newtonmore keeper Michael Ritchie dealt with a Roddy MacDonald ball into the D with the Kyles forwards closing in on him on 37 minutes. Seconds later, Kyles boss Norman MacDonald made the first substitution of the afternoon with Roberto Zavaroni replacing Sandy MacKenzie in attack as the Tighnabruaich men looked to change their fortunes. Zavaroni was immediately involved in the action, shooting wide of goal. Andy MacKintosh was fortunate to get away without a booking for a challenge on Robbie MacLeod on the touchline just before the break. Kenny MacDonald had to palm away another Jamie Robinson shot, this time from the right, on 47 minutes. The rain started to come down at An Aird and after good work by Roddy MacDonald on 49 minutes, the ball broke to Roberto Zavaroni on the right but he hooked his shot wide of target. Play quickly switched to the other end and Glen MacKintosh turned inside before unleashing a blistering shot which forced a fantastic save from Kenny MacDonald, just under the bar. Donald Irvine did well to thwart Fraser MacKintosh when Glen MacKintosh deflected a Jamie Robinson ball into his path on 57 minutes. A Roddy MacDonald 30 yarder flew over the junction between post and bar a couple of minutes later as Kyles started to creep more into the game. However Newtonmore dealt their rivals a fatal blow when they doubled their advantage on the hour mark. Fraser MacKintosh dispossessed Donald Irvine and Glen MacKintosh darted through the middle of the Kyles defence before rounding Kenny MacDonald and knocking the ball into the net to make it 2-0. Newtonmore were on the ascendency and Calum Miller and Donald Irvine were working overtime to keep the ‘More forwards at bay. Newtonmore made a double substitution on 74 minutes with John MacKenzie and Drew MacDonald replacing Scott Chisholm and Fraser MacKintosh. Kyles also made a change and Zac Coley came on for Andrew King who was suffering from cramp. A Roberto Zavaroni ball into the ‘More D caused havoc on 77 minutes. Dunkie Kerr got the slightest touch but Michael Ritchie stayed cool to save with his feet. Seconds later, a long shot from Dunkie Kerr was chested away by Michael Ritchie as Kyles tried valiantly to get back in the game. The three recent substitutes were all involved in the action on 79 minutes. John MacKenzie surged forward and played in Drew MacDonald to his left but Zac Coley raced in to make a perfectly timed challenge. Newtonmore’s Cameron Binnie was the first player to find his way into Innes Wood’s book following a challenge on Dunkie Kerr with 10 minutes remaining. A mazy Roddy MacDonald run on 82 minutes ended when his shot rose over the bar. Newtonmore sealed the win on 85 minutes. Glen MacKintosh collected a brilliant ball forward from Jamie Robinson wide on the right and his cross found Danny MacRae at the back post and MacRae expertly drilled the ball into the corner of the net to make it 3-0. Jamie Robinson, who had been dogged by a heel injury ahead of the game, limped off to be replaced by Blair MacKintosh with just a couple of minutes remaining. Andy MacKintosh came off with camp in injury time with Fraser MacKintosh returning to the field of play. Referee Innes Wood, who refereed the final with common sense and efficiency, sounded the final whistle to spark the Newtonmore celebrations. Kyles’ best players were at the back with Calum Miller and Donald Irvine performing well. The Albert Smith medal for man of the match was awarded to Newtonmore captain Jamie Robinson by Rena Smith. Other notable performers from the Eilan were Steven MacDonald, Paul MacArthur and Glen MacKintosh. Scottish Minister for Sport Shona Robison presented medals to both sets of players and the officials whilst Lord Smith of Kelvin handed over the famous trophy and silver mounted caman to a delighted Newtonmore captain, Jamie Robinson. Kyles Athletic from; Kenny MacDonald; Calum Miller, Donald Irvine, Cammy Keith, Andrew King; Dunkie Kerr, David Zavaroni, Robbie MacLeod (captain); Sandy MacKenzie, Thomas Whyte, Grant Irvine, Roddy MacDonald; subs Roberto Zavaroni, Zac Coley, Rupert Williamson, Colin MacDonald, John Whyte Manager – Norman MacDonald Coach – James Perlich Newtonmore from; Michael Ritchie, Norman Campbell, Steven MacDonald, Ackie MacRae, Cameron Binnie; Andy MacKintosh, Jamie Robinson (captain), Paul MacArthur; Fraser MacKintosh, Scott Chisholm, Glen MacKintosh, Danny MacRae; subs John MacKenzie, Drew MacDonald, Blair MacKintosh, Michael Russell, Chris Sellar Manager – Paul John MacKintosh Match Referee – Innes Wood Goal Judges - George MacKay & Willie Cameron Fourth Official - Ted MacDonald Linemen - Archie Ritchie, Alex MacVicar, Calum Girvan & John MacGregor |