Kyles Athletic twice came from behind to retain the AJG Parcels Glasgow Celtic Society Cup with a 6-2 win over Inveraray in their 4.05pm throw up at Old Anniesland, Glasgow on Saturday 28 June 2014.
Kyles Athletic welcomed back David Zavaroni who served a one match ban for a points accumulation when the Tighnabruaich side beat Glasgow Mid Argyll in the Artemis Macaulay Cup quarter finals last weekend. Grant Irvine has also re-established himself in the team so Kyles boss Norman MacDonald and coach James Perlich had a full squad to call from. Thomas Whyte led out the Tighnabruaich side with father and son combo keeper Kenny MacDonald and forward Roddy MacDonald out to try and win their third medal together in the same Glasgow Celtic Society Cup winning side. The veteran keeper appeared in his first Glasgow Celtic Society Cup Final back in 1983 and this was his fourteenth final in this competition.
Inveraray have been getting players back from injury in recent weeks. Their pool has been boosted by the return to action of the likes of Douglas Dando, David MacPherson and Grant Griffin. Even player / co-manager Garry MacPherson made an outing for the Inveraray reserves last weekend; his first appearance after recovering from a broken hand. However Douglas Dando missed the big day as he was on holiday. John Kennedy, who has been excellent for Inveraray this season since his return from America, was given the task of marking Kyles’ danger-man Roddy MacDonald. Defender Ander McMurdo captained the side and he was previously a winning captain in 2009. Brothers and player / co-managers Graham MacPherson and Garry MacPherson were out to try and claim an incredible fourteenth winners’ medal in this competition after winning their first one back in 1995.
The very firm surface meant the ball flew off the ground at pace and Kenny MacDonald had to keep his eye on a bobbling Grant Griffin shot before turning the ball away for a corner in the third minute.
Graham MacPherson had to do like-wise a couple of minutes later from a similar Roberto Zavaroni shot.
Inveraray went ahead on 6 minutes when a David Robertson free-hit was deflected into the path of Euan McMurdo and he fired an unstoppable shot into the top right corner of Kenny MacDonald’s net. It was a terrific strike and a great start to the final.
Kyles levelled on 13 minutes when Roddy MacDonald collected a ball at the edge of the D which was played inside from the right by Roberto Zavaroni and MacDonald turned away from two defenders before flicking the ball into the net to make it 1-1.
As the rain started to fall, Grant Irvine latched onto a defensive slip from a corner on the left on 19 minutes but Graham MacPherson managed to halt his progress to goal.
Inveraray went back in front on 21 minutes when Euan McMurdo controlled a defensive clearance following an Ally MacDonald shy before crashing the ball high into the net to make it 2-1.
Graham MacPherson saved with his feet from Thomas Whyte a minute later.
Kyles had most of the pressure but they almost went further behind on 27 minutes when a high, diagonal David Robertson ball from the left caught out the opposition defence but Neil Campbell had two attempts but was unable to get a shot on goal.
Calum Miller needed treatment after being accidentally caught on the head by Neil Campbell’s caman after 31 minutes.
Roddy MacDonald shot wide on 38 minutes and the Kyles forwards were showing signs of frustration.
However they squared the final for a second time 5 minutes before the break. Robbie MacLeod won possession down the Kyles left and he sent a great ball into the goal area. Thomas Whyte tried to get on the end of it but he was brought down at the edge of the D. Whyte played a rehearsed free-hit short to Dunkie Kerr who lost his marker and darted through the centre of the Inveraray defence before slotting the ball low into the net to make it 2-2.
Kyles had the majority of the first half pressure but the sides went into the interval on level terms after almost 3 minutes stoppage time.
Kyles almost went in front for the first time in the opening minute of the second half when a Robbie MacLeod corner from the left caused confusion in the Inveraray defence but David Robertson ran back to sweep the ball off the goal-line.
The game’s first booking went to Inveraray’s Peter McIntyre for a reckless swing on 49 minutes.
Kenny MacDonald saved well from Neil Campbell on 54 minutes as Inveraray started to show more as an attacking force.
Roberto Zavaroni put a half-chance wide on 59 minutes with the Inveraray defence committing some full-blooded challenges.
The game was moving from end-to-end but it was Kyles who edged themselves in front on 62 minutes. The Tighnabruaich side were awarded a disputed free-hit at the edge of the D and when Inveraray were unable to clear the ball, Roddy MacDonald found Thomas Whyte in front of goal and he blasted a shot into the roof of the net to make it 3-2.
Inveraray immediately made a change with Ruairidh Graham coming on in attack for Peter McIntyre.
Graham MacPherson had to palm away a dangerous Robbie MacLeod cross from the left into the D on 68 minutes.
Kyles extended their advantage on 73 minutes. Roddy MacDonald collected a Grant Irvine ball from the right and he held off a challenge from John Kennedy before tucking the ball past the on-rushing Graham MacPherson to make it 4-2.
Kyles, who had taken Roddy MacDonald back to midfield, went for the kill and they made it 5-2 on 76 minutes. Thomas Whyte closed down an attempted clearance from Andrew McMurdo before pushing the ball into space and tucking it low into the bottom right corner of the net.
Inveraray player / co-manager Garry MacPherson replaced Grant Griffin seconds later.
Kyles made their first change when Colin MacDonald came on for Roberto Zavaroni on 80 minutes.
Kyles captain Thomas Whyte completed his hat-trick to make it 6-2 on 81 minutes when he ran onto a Colin MacDonald pass and he swept the ball past the Graham MacPherson, who raced from goal to narrow the angle, with the ball spinning into the net off the left post.
Inveraray’s David Robertson came off with Lewis MacNicol taking the field on 83 minutes.
The substitutions continued and Rupert Williamson and Leighton Reid were introduced for Kyles for the closing stages.
Graham MacPherson denied Thomas Whyte a fourth goal when he made a brilliant save under the bar a minute from time.
Referee Lachie Wood’s final whistle signalled the Kyles celebrations as the Tighnabruaich side secured their 31st success in competitive shinty’s oldest trophy.
Hat-trick hero Thomas Whyte was selected as BBC Alba’s man of the match by Stewart MacKenzie who joined Hugh Dan MacLennan in the TV commentary box. Euan McMurdo and John Kennedy deserve mention for Inveraray whilst Kyles’ trio Dunkie Kerr, David Zavaroni and Robbie MacLeod controlled the midfield for most of the game.
Kyles Athletic captain Thomas Whyte was presented with the AJG Parcels Glasgow Celtic Society Cup by AJG Parcels Operations Director Fraser MacLean.
Kyles Athletic from: Kenny MacDonald; Calum Miller, Donald Irvine, Iain MacDonald, Zac Coley; Dunkie Kerr, David Zavaroni, Robbie MacLeod; Roddy MacDonald, Grant Irvine, Roberto Zavaroni, Thomas Whyte (captain); subs Colin MacDonald, Rupert Williamson, Cammy Keith, Andrew King, Leighton Reid
Inveraray from: Graham MacPherson; Alan MacDonald, Andrew McMurdo (captain), Nicolas Crawford, John Kennedy; Chris Crawford, David Robertson, Ally MacDonald, Grant Griffin, Peter McIntyre, Euan McMurdo, Neil Campbell; subs David MacPherson, Ruairidh Graham, Lewis MacNicol, Fraser MacNicol, Garry MacPherson
Match Referee – Lachie Wood
Goal Judges – John MacGregor, Alex MacVicar
Fourth Official - Alan Harrison
Linesmen – (Angus, Connor Andrew & Aidan - supplied by Glasgow Mid Argyll & Glasgow Gaels)
Scorers:
Kyles Athletic
Roddy MacDonald (13, 73)
Duncan Kerr (40)
Thomas Whyte (62, 76, 81)
Inveraray
Euan McMurdo (6, 21)