2016 London Shield Final – Skye Camanachd U17 2 Oban Camanachd U17 3 | |
08 November 2016 A last-gasp Daniel MacVicar goal gave Oban Camanachd U17 a dramatic 3-2 victory over Skye Camanachd U17 to win the Marine Harvest London Shield at the Eilan on Saturday 5 November 2016. The wet weather in the Badenoch area during the previous 24 hours forced an 8am Saturday morning pitch inspection. However, with Lovat’s Balgate ground on stand-by, the Eilan was ruled playable so both sets of squads and supporters made their way to youth shinty’s national show-piece. Both teams went into the final after winning their respective area trophies – Skye the MacTavish Juvenile Cup and Oban Camanachd the MacQuiston Cup. Skye reached the final after finishing runners up to Beauly in the North League section. They then went on to defeat Fort William at the semi-final stage. Oban Camanachd’s route to the final saw them finish second to Fort William in the South League. They beat Beauly in their semi-final meeting at the Canal Parks a week earlier. Skye Camanachd Youth Coach Davie Pringle was without the injured Angus MacDonald who had a broken thumb although MacDonald did travel with the squad. However they had Scotland U21 player John Gillies in their side as well as fellow first team player James Pringle. Oban Camanachd Youth Coaches David MacCuish, Scott Buchanan and George Easton had a full squad to choose from and they also had a Scotland U21 cap within their ranks as Daniel MacVicar started up front. There was also a place for first team squad player Ross MacMillan whilst Lewis Buchanan had already proved to be a goal threat in this competition. It was a perishing cold day in Newtonmore and Oban Camanachd played with a strong wind in their favour in the first half. Oban Camanachd took the lead on 10 minutes when Lewis Buchanan got onto the ball on the edge of the D and he sent a strike on his left side into the top corner of the net to make it 1-0. However Ruaraidh MacLeod drew Skye level on 17 minutes. The ball was played through to the edge of the D where MacLeod gathered possession and he finished well on his back-hand; sending the ball past onrushing keeper Brian Logan to make it 1-1. Skye replaced defender Jack Henderson with James Morrison. The Oban side went back in front on 22 minutes when Daniel MacCuish won possession and ran down the left wing down before tucking a low shot past Skye keeper Murphy Henderson to make it 2-1. With just seconds of the first 40 minutes remaining, Skye drew level for a second time. Some great work from Ross Gordon set up a chance for Ruaraidh MacLeod and, from 15 yards out, MacLeod fired the ball into the top corner of the net, giving the keeper no chance, to make it 2-2 at the interval. Oban Camanachd had perhaps edged a fairly even first half but Skye now had the elements in their favour. Oban Camanachd made a change at the break, introducing Daniel Sloss who still plays with their U14s. Skye started the second period well with forward Ross Gordon seeing a shot saved by Brian Logan. At the other end, Daniel MacVicar, who was policed throughout by John Gillies, had a couple of chances to put his side in front for a third time but was unable to take them. Indeed MacVicar was given a chance from the penalty spot midway through the second half when referee Deek Cameron penalised Skye goalie Murphy Henderson for a kick inside the D but the Oban full forward sent the spot-hit wide of goal. The next goal was going to be crucial and Oban keeper Brian Logan made a magnificent save with 10 minutes remaining, tipping a Stewart Taylor shot over the bar to keep his team on level terms. With extra-time looming, and just seconds of the regulation 80 minutes remaining, Oban Camanachd conjured up a dramatic winner. Daniel MacVicar took the ball in a central position and, from just behind penalty spot, his shot took the merest deflection and his looping effort dropped into the top corner of the net to spark the Oban celebrations with barely enough time to restart the game. It just wasn’t Skye’s day and, following a bruising encounter, defender James Morrison and forward Ruaraidh MacLeod required hospital visits for hand injuries. Morrison, who continued playing despite the injury, was later confirmed to have a hairline fracture of the hand but bravely played on to the final whistle despite the knock. Calum Robertson needed stitches after taking a blow to the shin. Oban Camanachd captain Ross MacMillan climbed the steps at the Newtonmore clubhouse to be presented with the London Shield by John Angus Gillies from sponsors Marine Harvest who is also a Camanachd Association grade one referee. Skye Camanachd U17 from: Murphy Henderson, Ross Nicolson, Jamie Gillies, Jack Henderson, Connor Gilpin, Sam MacPhee, John Gillies, Martin Pringle, James Pringle, Mark MacQueen, Ross Gordon, Ruaraidh MacLeod, Stewart Taylor, Calum Robertson, Ryan Macaskill, James Morrison, Angus MacDonald Oban Camanachd U17 from: Brian Logan, Craig Kirkpatrick, Craig Easton, Ross MacMillan, Lewis MacPhee, Ruaraidh Horne, Euan MacLellan, Scott Robertson, Daniel MacVicar, Craig MacMillan, Daniel MacCuish, Lewis Buchannan, Daniel Sloss, Euan Logan, Cammy MacMillan Match Referee – Deek Cameron |