MacMaster Cup Final - Oban Camanachd U14 2 Skye Camanachd U14 1 | |
18 September 2013 There was MacMaster Cup disappointment for Skye Camanachd U14 as they lost 2-1 to Oban Camanachd U14 at An Aird on Saturday 14 September 2013. The Islanders were dealt a blow ahead of this 11.15am throw up with news that a football injury would rule out John MacInnes who is on crutches after being diagnosed with meniscus and ligament damage and will be out of action for around four weeks. The rest of the 17 player squad was along usual lines with James Pringle captaining the side. Skye Camanachd U14 youth coach John MacLeod saw his team beat Glenurquhart 4-1 in the opening round of this year’s competition with Ruaraidh MacLeod scoring twice. Next up was an 8-0 victory against Lovat in the quarter finals when Conor Ross was the star of the show, grabbing five goals. Skye had a tough semi final encounter with Kingussie at Castle Leod where they eventually ran out 4-2 victors. Conor Ross, Ruaraidh MacLeod, Conor Gilpin and Ross Nicolson got the goals to set up a final appearance. Oban Camanachd U14 Youth Coach Iain Hay had a tough route to the final. His side beat Fort William 6-4 in the quarter finals with Daniel MacVicar and Lewis Buchanan each scoring twice. Oban Camanachd followed that up with a 5-3 extra time triumph over Kilmallie in the semi finals at Jubilee Park and Daniel MacVicar was the Oban hero, netting four times. Oban Camanachd’s main goal threat this season had come from Daniel MacVicar and Marcus Ross was given a marking job on the South danger-man. A strong run from James Pringle from midfield after 4 minutes forced a save from Keiron Hendry in the Oban Camanachd goal. A couple of minutes later, a Ruaraidh MacLeod snap-shot sailed past the post. Skye keeper Jack Henderson had to look lively on 7 minutes after Ryan Morrison misjudged a free hit deep into the Skye D but the Islanders’ keeper saved with his feet. Jack Henderson made a great save with his feet on 10 minutes to keep out a low pile-driver and he produced double save with his feet 3 minutes later to keep score level. Another effort from Ruaraidh Macleod from 20 yards went past the post on 29 minutes. A good Skye move on 32 minutes involving Ruaraidh MacLeod and Angus MacDonald ended when Anna MacDonald brought a save out of Keiron Hendry in the Oban goal. Oban Camanachd’s Liam Higgins shot over from 10 yards on 34 minutes and 60 seconds later; referee Deek Cameron sounded the half time whistle. Skye started the second half strongly and a 39 minute shot from Ruaraidh MacLeod went just the wrong side of the Oban goal whilst Conor Ross shot past a minute later. Skye goalie Jack Henderson produced the save of the match moments later when he kept the ball out with his stick following a great Oban strike. Oban Camanachd opened the scoring on 44 minutes when a long range effort from defender and captain Ross MacMillan sailed into the Skye net to make it 1-0. A minute later, Jack Henderson reacted well to save again with his feet A good ball in from the left from Ruaraidh MacLeod on 47 minutes forced Oban keeper Keiron Hendry into action with the onrushing Anna MacDonald looking to pounce on any slip-ups. Oban's Daniel MacVicar scooped the ball over a minute later from 12 yards out. The Skye defence failed to clear their lines on 51 minutes and with Jack Henderson stranded out of his goal, it was left to John Gillies on the goal-line to keep the ball out of the net with his feet. Skye Youth Coach John MacLeod changed things around just after with Conor Gilpin replacing Stuart Taylor in attack and John Gillies switching to buckshee forward. The out of sorts Conor Ross dropped back from attack to buckshee back. The change immediately started to work for Skye with John Gillies shooting past from 20 yards. A flowing move from midfield on 58 minutes saw John Gillies feed Ruaraidh MacLeod and his shot grazed the Oban post. Stuart Taylor was re-introduced onto the field of play in place of Anna MacDonald and Taylor was immediately involved in the action. Ruaraidh MacLeod pressurised the Oban defence on the right, feeding the ball to Conor Gilpin who was surging forward. Gilpin's fierce drive was superbly saved by Keiron Hendry in the Oban goal only for Stuart Taylor to follow up and send the rebound low into the net to make it 1-1 with 59 minutes played. Keeper Hendry got a foot to the ball but couldn’t keep it out of the net. However Skye were only able to maintain parity for a couple of minutes. The Islanders gave away a needless free-hit just outside the D on the Oban left. The Skye defence seemed to switch off as Daniel MacCuish took the free-hit and he quickly played a one-two with the Oban Camanachd full forward and MacCuish had time and space to pick his spot to put his side 2-1 in front. Skye piled on the pressure and on 63 minutes, a low shot from distance from Angus MacDonald forced Keiron Hendry to save with feet. Skye keeper Jack Henderson was back in action 5 minutes from time, once more saving with his feet. Referee Deek Cameron’s final whistle signalled Oban Camanachd’s second successive MacMaster Cup success. Skye’s top performers were Jack Henderson in goal; John Gillies, Ryan Morrison and Marcus Ross were excellent in Skye defence whilst James Pringle put in a man of the match performance at full centre with Ruaraidh Macleod creating problems throughout the game for the Oban defence. Ross MacMillan was a stand-out for Oban Camanachd. Oban Camanachd captain Craig Kilpatrick was presented with the MacMaster Cup by Catriona Henderson. Skye Camanachd U14 from: Jack Henderson, Ryan Morrison, Marcus Ross, Ryan O’Halloran, John Gillies, James Pringle, Ross Nicolson, Angus MacDonald, Conor Ross, Stuart Taylor, Anna MacDonald, Ruaraidh MacLeod, subs Conor Gilpin, Emma Gordon, Stuart Jackson, Sam MacPhee, Martin Pringle Match Referee – Deek Cameron |