Memory Lane - 2000 / 2001 Shinty Season Part 12/20 | |
03 January 2016 As Skye Camanachd look forward to their first season in shinty’s top division since 2002, let’s look back to the 2000 / 01 season, Skye’s first year in the national top tier. The Islanders only spell in the National Premier Division came when they won promotion from the National League Division 1 after a final-day win over Lochcarron at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree at the end of the 1999 / 2000 season. Skye joined Fort William, Glenorchy, Kilmallie, Kingussie, Kyles Athletic Newtonmore and Oban Camanachd in an eight team top flight in hope of winning the championship but with a definite aim of avoiding finishing bottom of the table which would mean relegation. Skye’s prize for last weekend’s Glenmorangie Camanachd Cup win over Glenurquhart was a second round meeting with Marine Harvest National Division 1 side Inveraray at the Winterton.
Saturday 17 March 2001 Glenmorangie Camanachd Cup Inveraray 6 Skye Camanachd 3 Skye Camanachd’s Glenmorangie Camanachd Cup hopes were dashed for another season when they lost 6-3 to Inveraray at the Winterton. Skye started well with goals from Norman MacLeod and Somhairle MacDonald giving them a 2-0 lead. However strikes from Euan McMurdo and Russell MacKinlay drew the home the home side level to make it 2-2 at the break. Andy Stewart put Inveraray in front for the first time but Skye full centre John Angus Gillies strode forward to fire the ball home and make it 3-3. Inveraray finished strongly though and a Garry MacPherson brace and a second strike from Euan McMurdo gave them a 6-3 win. This was a good season for Inveraray as they went on to lift the Marine Harvest National Davison 1 title as well as the Macaulay Cup and the Bank of Scotland Celtic Society Cup. |