The 2015 SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final between Kyles Athletic and Lovat takes place at Mossfield on Saturday 19 September 2015.
Kyles Athletic joined the completion in the second round. As a Marine Harvest Premiership side, the Tighnabruaich club weren’t included in the preliminary and first rounds of shinty’s top tournament.
Saturday 30 May 2015
SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup – Second Round
Kinlochshiel 3 Kyles Athletic 5
Kyles Athletic safely negotiated a difficult tie against Kinlochshiel, eventually winning 5-3 win in their 3pm throw up at Craigard. The game was originally scheduled for Kirkton but an unplayable field led to a switch down the road to Glengarry’s ground. Kinlochshiel’s Oliver MacRae served a one game ban for a bookings points accumulation and David Falconer remained on the injury list. However Keith MacRae was back after missing recent games with hamstring injuries. Roberto Zavaroni was missing for Kyles Athletic but Donald Irvine and David Zavaroni returned after missing last weekend’s league defeat to Kingussie with Zavaroni lining up against Mark MacDonald at full centre. An early low shot from Keith MacRae was kept out by John Whyte who has settled in well as a replacement for stalwart Kenny MacDonald in the Kyles goal. Kyles went on to dominate the early stages and ‘Shiel keeper Scott Kennedy made a terrific double-save to keep out shots from Dunkie Kerr and Roddy MacDonald. Roddy MacDonald and Grant Irvine were combining well to cause problems for the ‘Shiel defence. Kyles Athletic went in front on 31 minutes when Dunkie Kerr took advantage of a defensive slip-up and he slotted a low drive past a helpless Scott Kennedy in the ‘Shiel goal to make it 1-0. However the goal was unusual in that keeper John Whyte played a goal-hit to buckshee back Donald Irvine and the Tighnabruaich men continued to play the ball down their left side until Kerr pounced to score at the back post. Keith MacRae had to leave the field with what looked like a recurrence of his hamstring problems and Duncan “Ach” MacRae came on in his place. ‘Shiel had a chance to level just before the break when Jordan Fraser found Gordie MacDonald around 10 yards from goal but he was unable to get enough power in his shot and keeper Whyte made the save. Whilst Kyles had the better of the first half, the second period was a different affair with both teams playing open, attractive shinty. Dunkie Kerr got his second on 65 minutes when his low 25 yard shot flew into the net to make it 2-0. And then the goals started flowing thick and fast. But before they did, a frantic period of play saw Scott Kennedy made a brilliant save from Dunkie Kerr and Roddy MacDonald and Gordon Whyte also went close. Kinlochshiel full back Paul MacRae came off with a hamstring injury. Alasdair Nixon came on in attack, Duncan “Ach” MacRae came back into midfield and Nathan Whear slotted into the defence. ‘Shiel fought back and Jordan Fraser pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 with a 25 yard shot on 69 minutes. Grant Irvine restored Kyles’ two goal cushion when he made it 3-1 on 72 minutes. Irvine pounced on a rebound after Scott Kennedy had saved with his hand following a corner. Duncan “Ach” MacRae pulled another ‘Shiel goal back to make it 3-2 a couple of minutes later when he sprinted forward from midfield to get on the end of a Jordan Fraser ball. ‘Shiel almost levelled when John Whyte saved from Jordan Fraser and the keeper managed to clear the ball off his goal-line. Kyles always just looked the more dangerous and Gordon Whyte steered the ball into the net at the bear post to make it 4-2 with just 13 minutes remaining. Again ‘Shiel responded though and John MacRae (not Jordan Fraser as has been widely reported) scored just 60 seconds later after a Duncan “Ach” MacRae effort had been blocked and this made it 4-3. Dunkie Kerr sealed the win when he completed his hat-trick with a strike on 82 minutes to make it 5-3 after good lead-up play from Grant Irvine. Kyles took Roddy MacDonald back into midfield and they saw out the remainder of the tie to go into Tuesday’s draw. Indeed it was Kyles who went closest to adding to their tally with Kennedy saving from Dunkie Kerr and David Zavaroni. ‘Shiel’s cause wasn’t helped when they also forward Gordie MacDonald through injury during the second half. Kinlochshiel were well served by Jordan Fraser who scored twice and created several chances up front. Kyles’ Roddy MacDonald was the man of the match and he showed great touches and superb movement off the ball.
Saturday 11 July 2015
SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup – Quarter Finals
Kyles Athletic 5 Skye Camanachd 1
Kyles Athletic are through to the last four of the SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup following their 5-1 last-eight win over Skye Camanachd at Tighnabruaich. Kyles Athletic boss Norman MacDonald was without influential defender Andrew King. Skye Camanachd manager John MacLeod had to do without Kenny Campbell and Kenny MacLeod whilst Shockie MacLennan was still injured. Skye full back Steven Morrison was a late call-off with a knee injury. Skye were late in arriving as the players and officials assisted at a road traffic accident. Skye fell behind within the opening minute when Roddy MacDonald punished hesitancy in the visiting defence to score. Kyles doubled their lead on 9 minutes. Skye goalie Iain MacLeod saved well from Grant Irvine but Dunkie Kerr followed up to score. Roddy MacDonald got his second on 37 minutes when he was allowed time and space to control a ball from a corner and he dribbled the ball into the D before scoring to make it 3-0. Roddy MacDonald completed his hat-trick to make it 4-0 just 3 minutes later when he shot through a ruck of players to score. Kyles grabbed a fifth goal on 68 minutes. Skye keeper Iain MacLeod, who was in terrific form all afternoon, made a brilliant save from Roberto Zavaroni but Roddy MacDonald was on hand to finish from close range. Skye pulled a goal back on 70 minutes when an Iain Nicolson shot was adjudged by referee Robert Baxter to have been kicked by John Whyte in the Kyles goal. Will Cowie dully stepped up to fire the spot-hit high in to the Kyles net to make it 5-1. It was a much improved second half showing from Skye but Kyles deserve their place in the last four of shinty’s top competition.
Saturday 15 August 2015
SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup – Semi Final
Newtonmore 2 Kyles Athletic 3 (after extra-time)
Kyles Athletic will play Lovat in the 2015 SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final after they beat Newtonmore 3-2 following extra-time in their 4.05pm throw up at the Taynuilt Sports Field on Saturday 15 August 2015.
Newtonmore’s Michael Russell missed out as he served a one-game ban for exceeding the disciplinary points threshold. Captain Cameron Binnie was late arriving to the game as he was held up in a queue of traffic following a road accident so he started on the bench. There was a starting spot for Scott Campbell with Jamie Robinson going to full centre whilst they were joined in midfield by Paul MacArthur who returned from injury. Chris Sellar missed out.
Kyles Athletic have had to re-adjust their defence this season since Zac Coley and Donald Irvine have moved abroad to work. Callum Miller and Andrew King were joined at the back by Cammy Keith and Thomas Whyte. Innes MacDonald started at wing centre.
The match was televised live by BBC ALBA and it was ideal conditions for shinty at Taynuilt’s excellent home pitch.
Robbie MacLeod chipped a ball in on goal after 3 minutes but ‘More keeper palmed his effort away before the danger was cleared.
Jamie Robinson took a sore one to the head when he was accidently caught by Andrew King’s trailing stick after 8 minutes but Robinson continued after treatment.
Evan Menzies pulled a shot wide of goal on 14 minutes.
Kyles’ John Whyte then did well to stop a Glen MacKintosh shot from distance which dropped in front of his feet just a couple of minutes later.
Roddy MacDonald was the game’s first booking, cautioned for bad language with almost 20 minutes played.
John Whyte palmed away a Paul MacArthur shy from the left and cleared for a corner on 26 minutes and Whyte saved with his feet from a Glen MacKintosh drive following Scott Campbell’s corner on the right.
Glen MacKintosh required treatment after an accidental clash with Callum Miller on 29 minutes.
Kyles started to enjoy a period of pressure and Dunkie Kerr sent a shot through a ruck of players but just wide of Michael Ritchie’s right post on 34 minutes.
Cameron Binnie replaced Evan Menzies who limped off with just under 10 first half minutes remaining.
As the semi-final moved into the closing 5 minutes of the first half, Robbie MacLeod broke down the right and checked back before shooting goalwards but Michael Ritchie saved with his feet.
Callum Miller hauled down Glen MacKintosh just outside the D but John Whyte cleared the danger from the set-piece.
A turn and shot from Roddy MacDonald went wide on 43 minutes.
There wasn’t much to report from a subdued first half where both defences were very much on top. It seemed nerves and the magnitude of what was at stake engulfed both sets of players.
Kyles made a lively start to the second half and Michael Ritchie had to look lively as he swept a ball into the D away for a corner.
Dunkie Kerr was booked for speaking out of turn on 53 minutes.
Kyles went in front on 55 minutes. Andy MacKintosh pushed the ball out of defence but only as far as Robbie MacLeod who had the presence of mind to pick out Dunkie Kerr in space and Kerr sent a superb swerving shot high into the ‘More net to make it 1-0.
Innes MacDonald sent a shot from distance just wide with almost an hour played.
Scott Chisholm replaced a tiring Scott Campbell for Newtonmore on 61 minutes.
Glen MacKintosh was yellow-carded for a late swing which caught Andrew King on 64 minutes.
Conor Jones replaced Jamie Robinson a minute later with Cameron Binnie going to full centre.
Gordon Whyte flashed a shot just over the bar from an Innes MacDonald shy on 70 minutes.
Play quickly switched to the other end of the field and Newtonmore had the ball in the net through Cameron Binnie. However referee Innes Wood had already blown for an infringement for David Zavaroni’s challenge on Binnie just before he scored. Referee Wood consulted with goal judge Dougie Cameron before pointing to the penalty spot. Glen MacKintosh’s well-hit penalty was superbly saved by John Whyte but Paul MacArthur was first to the rebound and he kept his cool and controlled the ball before flicking it past Whyte to make it 1-1. There was confusion for a few seconds as the goal judge seemed to indicate offside but referee Wood clarified that the ball had not left the D following the save.
There was a clash between Fraser MacKintosh and Callum Miller on 77 minutes and MacKintosh was booked by referee Innes Wood, with Miller requiring treatment to a cut nose. Newtonmore brought Evan Menzies back on in place of Craig Ritchie before play restarted.
When the ball broke to Grant Irvine with 6 minutes remaining, he sent a shot a whisker wide of target.
Roberto Zavaroni replaced Gordon Whyte with just over a minute of the regulation 90 minutes remaining.
Newtonmore had a great chance to win it in the closing seconds when Fraser MacKintosh held off his marker Cammy Keith to get on the end of a long ball from Connor Jones, but his point-blank shot was superbly saved by John Whyte with an out-stretched left leg.
Seconds later, referee Innes Wood took the tie into extra-time
The first period of extra-time was only seconds old when Grant Irvine launched a beautifully weighted ball from the middle of the park onto Michael Ritchie’s goal and the keeper did well to follow the flight of the ball before tipping it away for a corner.
Grant Irvine then missed his hit at the back post - the ball seemed to take a bobble at the worst time - and although Irvine regained possession, there were no takers for his low cross from the tight.
Gordon Whyte came back on for Innes MacDonald who had cramp with 5 minutes of extra-time played.
Cameron Binnie required treatment after getting a knock to the knee from David Zavaroni on 97 minutes.
Fraser MacKintosh had the ball in the net from a corner on the right on 100 minutes but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Seconds later, a wild David Zavaroni swing caught Andy MacKintosh and earned the Kyles’ man a booking.
John Whyte came off his line to bravely foil a Connor Jones run on 102 minutes and the keeper required treatment before continuing.
Roberto Zavaroni and Glen MacKintosh clashed in midfield as the first half of extra-time drew to a close with Zavaroni perhaps fortunate that the incident took place behind the referee’s back.
The half ended with Newtonmore looking the likelier to go in front but the sides remained deadlocked at 1-1.
Kyles got themselves back in front on 107 minutes. Grant Irvine broke down the right and cut the ball inside to David Zavaroni who shot goalwards under a challenge from Andy MacKintosh and the spinning ball looped high into the net to make it 2-1. Newtonmore felt that Norman Campbell had been fouled earlier in the move but Innes Wood waved away their protests.
‘More’s Fraser MacKintosh was replaced by Jamie Robinson with 10 minutes remaining. Steven MacDonald moved into attack, Robinson slotted into midfield and Cameron Binnie dropped back into defence.
Kyles took Roddy MacDonald back into midfield as the Tighnabruaich men looked to protect their lead.
However they did better than that on 112 minutes. A Dunkie Kerr shy from the right fell for David Zavaroni who played a one-two with Roberto Zavaroni before picking out Gordon Whyte at the back post and he had time to stop the ball with his feet before striking it high past Michael Ritchie to make it 3-1.
Newtonmore went for broke and they pushed Norman Campbell into attack whilst Kyles were always danger-out on the counter-attack.
Ross MacRae replaced Gordon Whyte with just under 3 minutes remaining.
Newtonmore forced some late corners and, as the tie moved a minute into stoppage time, Evan Menzies sent the ball high into the net on his back-hand following a corner on the right.
There was time for one more Newtonmore attack but it was fitting that the excellent Callum Miller cleared the danger.
Kyles saw out the closing seconds to seal the win and their captain Callum Miller was correctly named BBC ALBA man of the match by match summeriser Stewart MacKenzie for an outstanding performance in defence.
Kyles Athletic will now play Lovat in the 2015 SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final at Mossfield on Saturday 19 September 2015.
Newtonmore from: Michael Ritchie; Norman Campbell, Steven MacDonald, Andy MacKintosh, Rory Kennedy: Scott Campbell, Jamie Robinson, Paul MacArthur; Craig Ritchie, Fraser MacKintosh, Evan Menzies, Glen MacKintosh; subs Cameron Binnie (captain), Scott Chisholm, Conor Jones
Kyles Athletic: John Whyte; Callum Miller (captain), Cameron Keith, Andrew King, Thomas Whyte; Innes MacDonald, David Zavaroni, Robbie MacLeod; Grant Irvine, Roddy MacDonald, Dunkie Kerr, Gordon Whyte; subs Roberto Zavaroni, Ross MacRae, Matthew MacColl
Match Referee: Innes Wood
Goal Judges: Jon Gallagher, Dougie Cameron
Event Details
The 2015 SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final between Kyles Athletic and Lovat takes place at Mossfield. Throw up is at 2.15pm. Deek Cameron will be the match referee and he will be assisted by goal judges Robert Baxter and John MacGregor. Lachie Wood is the fourth official and reserve referee. The four linesmen are Jon Gallagher, Willie MacDonald, Alex MacVicar and John Wood. The whole match will be broadcast LIVE on BBC 2 Scotland.
Earlier in the day, Skye Camanachd U14 and Fort William U14 will contest the MacMaster Cup Final on the Mossfield pitch. Throw up is at 11.15am. Alex MacVicar is the match referee and he will be assisted by goal judges John MacGregor and Alan Harrison.
The 2015 Scottish Hydro Development Trophy Final between Glasgow Kelvin and Aberdour takes place on the Rugby Ground (directly behind Mossfield Park). Throw up is at 11.30am and referee John Wood will be assisted by goal judges Willie MacDonald and Dunkie Kerr.
Gates open at 10.30am and admission £10 / £5 concessions and under 12s go free if accompanied by a paying adult.
The Shinty Memories Quiz, ‘A Question of Shinty’, which was to be held at the Argyllshire Gathering Halls, Oban on Friday 18 September 2015, has unfortunately had to be cancelled.