Memory Lane - 2000 / 2001 Shinty Season Part 18/20 | |
12 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. With just three league matches remaining, Skye knew that one win would be enough to ensure their top flight survival. First up was a trip to the Eilan to play Newtonmore before a journey to An Aird and a game against Fort William. Skye would finish the season at home to regelation rivals Glenorchy in a potential winner-takes-all encounter.
Saturday 28 April 2001 Marine Harvest National Premier Division Newtonmore 3 Skye Camanachd 2 Skye lost by the odd goal in five for the second successive match when Newtonmore beat them 3-2 at the Eilan. Skye Camanachd first team manager Angie Murchison was without keeper John “Podge” MacLeod who had a broken toe so John “Bodach” MacKenzie again deputised between the posts. Young defender Aonghas MacDonald was out injured. Skye were first to threaten when a Peter Gordon drive came back off the foot of the post. Skye went in front on 17 minutes. Dougie Rankin played a free-hit to Peter Gordon and he beat Newtonmore keeper Michael Ritchie to give the Islanders a 1-0 lead. Newtonmore equalised on 25 minutes when Fraser MacKintosh showed enough composure to score following a scramble around the D. The sides continued to trade goals and Willie Cowie put Skye back in front with a fine solo effort. Cowie beat Hamish Robertson close to the corner flag before running in on goal to score. Skye couldn’t stay in front though and Newtonmore came up with an instant response as Sean Latimer made it 2-2 and that’s the way it stayed until the half-time interval. Newtonmore were reduced to eleven players on 65 minutes when referee John Sloggie sent off Peter Ross for striking Skye’s John Angus Gillies off-the-ball. However Skye were unable to make the most of their one-man advantage and it remained 2-2 as the game moved into the closing stages. And it was Newtonmore who would take the lead for the first time in the contest with just 7 minutes remaining. Norman “Brick” MacArthur took advantage of some slack play in the Skye defence to and he netted to make it 3-2. Skye threw everything at ‘More in the closing stages and the closest they came to grabbing a point was when a Peter Gordon shot rose over the bar with a minute remaining. It was the fourth time in the league this season that Skye had lost by a single goal, emphasising the tight margins between victory and defeat. Skye now had a visit to Fort William and a home clash with Glenorchy to save their season. |