Newtonmore retained the George Michie Memorial Cup with a 2-0 win over Skye Camanachd at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 16 February 2013.
Skye Camanachd manager Willie MacRae was without several regulars for this 1.30pm throw up including Stewart Grant, Michael Nicolson, David Grant, Gilleasbuig MacDonald and Iain Murray from the squad which lost to Fort William last weekend. Other absentees included Chris Rose, Iain Nicolson, Jamie Gannon, Aonghas MacDonald and Shaun Hedley.
However captain Steven Morrison recovered from an injury picked up early in the Fort William game and he took his place at full back.
With keepers Michael Nicolson and Jamie Gannon both unavailable, Ross Graham started in the Skye goal.
There were three brothers in the Skye squad with reserve player Chris MacLennan joining last year’s captain Shockie MacLennan and their older brother Ally MacLennan who returned after working away for the last three years and he started on the bench.
Newtonmore manager Paul John MacKintosh took a full squad to Portree in what was his first match in charge since taking over from Norman MacArthur. 2012 captain John MacKenzie started at full centre with this year’s captain, Jamie Robinson, starting on the bench as he had only just returned from two month’s abroad.
Scotland captain Norman Campbell was at full back with Scots U21 captain Rory Kennedy at buckshee back. Danny MacRae, who scored twice when Newtonmore won 4-0 when the sides met for this trophy last season, led their attack.
The pitch at Pairc nan Laoch was on good condition although the overnight rain had left it a little heavy.
Newtonmore edged the early exchanges and they took the lead on 23 minutes. Wing centre Blair MacKintosh found Danny MacRae at the edge of the D and he whipped the ball into the net to put the visitors 1-0 in front.
Skye responded immediately and within 60 seconds, Kenny MacLeod almost set up Jordan Murchison but Norman Campbell was alert to the danger and clicked Murchison’s caman before clearing.
Ross Graham did well to turn away a Danny MacRae drive, low at his left post on 28 minutes with the Skye keeper deflecting the ball for the safety of a corner.
Newtonmore then conjured up a lovely passing move down their right which saw Scott Chisholm and Steven MacDonald exchanging passes before Chisholm found Danny MacRae who played the ball into space for Steven MacDonald but his drive went wide of target.
Skye manager Willie MacRae introduced Ally MacLennan for Kenny MacLeod on 36 minutes. MacLennan took wing centre Ally MacDonald’s place with MacDonald moving to full forward.
Newtonmore almost extended their lead on 37 minutes when Blair MacKintosh played the ball forward to Glen MacKintosh but Ross Graham saved with his hand.
The second half was just 8 minutes old when Newtonmore doubled their advantage. Paul MacArthur played in a corner from the left which found Danny MacRae. MacRae held off a couple of challenges before slipping the ball to Steven MacDonald and he sent a blistering drive across keeper Graham into the back of the net.
‘More boss Paul John MacKintosh then took the opportunity to introduce his substitutes with Jamie Robinson coming on at full centre.
Newtonmore continued to enjoy most of the possession but the over-worked Skye defence of Steven Morrison, Shockie MacLennan, Ally “Spod” MacLeod and Neil MacVicar stood firm and they can be more than pleased with their performances.
Newtonmore pushed Fraser MacKintosh into attack and his 83 minute shot seemed destined for the top corner of the net only for Ross Graham to make the save of the match to keep the ball out.
Skye’s best performers were at the back and young Ally “Spod” MacLeod deserves special mention for competing well against vastly more experienced opponents.
Skye Camanachd Assistant manager Ross Cowie, a team mate and great friend of George Michie, delivered a poignant pitch-side speech in George’s memory whilst the George Michie Memorial Cup was presented to Newtonmore captain Jamie Robinson by George’s nephew Cameron MacDonald whilst the medals were handed out to both teams by George’s niece Caitlin MacDonald.
This was Newtonmore’s first competitive match of the season and they have large numbers turning out for training each week which gives manager Paul John MacKintosh many selection options.
Next up for Skye is the Thomas Ferguson Memorial Cup meeting with Lovat in Portree next weekend whilst Newtonmore have arranged a friendly with Glenurquhart who are ironically their opponents in the opening day of the shinty season a week later.
Skye Camanachd from; Ross Graham, Steven Morrison (captain), Shockie MacLennan, Ally “Spod” MacLeod, Allan MacKinnon, Darryl Macintosh, Neil MacVicar, Ally MacDonald, Danny Morrison, Jordan Murchison, Will Cowie, Kenny MacLeod, subs Ally MacLennan, Chris MacLennan, Angie MacPherson
Newtonmore from; Michael Richie, Norman Campbell, Andy MacKintosh, Fraser MacKintosh, Rory Kennedy, Blair MacKintosh, John MacKenzie, Paul MacArthur, Steven MacDonald, Scott Chisholm, Danny MacRae, Glen MacKintosh, subs, Chris Sellar, Ackie MacRae, Jamie Robinson (captain), Drew MacDonald
Match Referee - John Angus Gillies
The match balls were sponsored by Nor-Dan