Team Gallacher Win Inaugural John MacKinnon Memorial Shinty Sixes - UPDATED! | |
05 January 2014 Team Gallacher won the inaugural John MacKinnon Memorial Shinty Sixes which took place at the Portree High School all-weather pitch on Saturday 28 December 2013.
John MacKinnon John MacKinnon was a regular at Skye Camanachd games both at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree and on the mainland. His son Ewen MacKinnon was the youngest member of the Skye Camanachd side which won the 1990 Camanachd Cup when they beat Newtonmore 4-1 at An Aird, Fort William. The family connection continued when John’s grandson Iain Nicolson, who now plays for Lovat, broke into the Skye Camanachd first team and quickly established himself as a regular in the side. Nicolson went on to become a Scotland U21 international, playing against Ireland U21 in 2009 and 2011 with injury robbing him of a place in 2010. John MacKinnon’s firm Skye Transport is a well-established haulage business which provides much needed local employment. He was also a generous sponsor of Skye Camanachd and was always on hand to provide advice on many matters. John’s contribution was recognised when he was made a Skye Camanachd Vice-President and his tragic passing on Thursday 22 December 2011, following an accident at work, left a void at the Island club. The John MacKinnon Memorial Sixes will become an annual tournament and it is based on Glenurquhart’s Zandra MacKintosh Memorial Sixes. Skye Camanachd’s Davie MacVicar, a former Glen player, is the event organiser.
Event Details The John MacKinnon Memorial Sixes is an invitational tournament and each squad will have a maximum of eight players and must include an over 45 player, an U17 player and a ladies player in their squad. There was a trophy for the winners, medals for the winners and runners up, as well as awards for the Player of the Tournament, Ladies Player of the Tournament, Over 45 Player of the Tournament and U17 Player of the Tournament. The teams were split into two leagues and played a round-robin set of fixtures. The winners and runners up from each section will progress to the semi-final stage. The league games lasted seven minutes and the semi-finals and final were for ten minutes. The league games were played straight through whilst the semi-finals and finals saw a change of ends at half time. The nominated ladies player in each team had to play full game and the nominated over 45 player had to play for at least half of each match. An additional bonus point was on offer for each goal scored by the nominated ladies player. The nominated U17 players were asked to wear white helmets which were be provided. Goals could only be scored in the opposition half and a goal scored by the nominated ladies player earned her team an extra point. Each team was asked to nominate for the various players of the tournament:
Soup and sandwiches were provided in the Skye Camanachd Clubhouse at 3.30pm.
John MacKinnon Memorial Sixes – Participating Teams The full squads for the fifteen participating teams were as follows: Lochcarron – Mathew Young, Johnny Stewart, Crisdean Finlayson, Kenny Cushnie (U17), Gregor Cushnie (over45), Laura MacKay (ladies), Douglas MacKenzie, Ross Brown More Achs - Neilly “Ach” MacRae (over45), Duncan “Ach” MacRae, Oliver “Ach” MacRae, Christian MacRae, Molly Parsons (ladies), Neil Fraser, Ewan Falconer (U17) Wet Dream Team - Davie Grant, Steven Morrison, Danny Morrison, D J Gilpin (U17), Izzy Law (ladies) Ally “Mhor” Morrison (well over45), Kenny “Beag” Campbell, Jordan Murchison R U Over 45 - Davie MacVicar (over45) Neil MacVicar, Ilana Paterson (ladies), Raymond Gillies (U17), Steven MacKinnon, Kerr Gibb, Andrew Banks The Jager Crew - Sarah Corrigall (ladies), Jenna Beaton, Roz Lamond, Catriona Gibb, Ally “Cloudy” MacLeod (U17), Robbie Gordon (over45), Lorna MacRae North End – James “Tatties” MacDonald (over45), David MacInnes, John Angus MacInnes, Ally MacCrimmon (U17), Anna MacDonald (ladies), Ally “Digg” MacDonald, Allan “Goa” MacLeod Braes - Ally Grant Nicolson (over45), Stewart Grant, Shaun Henderson (U17) Aonghas MacDonald, Gilleasbuig MacDonald, John Moir, Iain Murray, Nicola MacSween (ladies) Spod U Like – Chris MacLennan, Iain MacLellan, John Gillies (U17), Ewen MacLean (over45), Joan Nicolson (ladies), Magnus Burd Inside Out - Davie Pringle (over45), Jamie Gannon, Andrew Grant (U17), James Pringle, Emma Gordon (ladies), Angie "Borve" MacDonald, Thomas Wilson Crossal & Co – Iain Nicolson, Elaine Nicolson (ladies), Drew Howie, Daniel Grieve, Callum Cruden, John MacRitchie (over45), Scott Mackenzie (U17), Graeme MacMillan Golden Oldies – John “Slippy” Finlayson, Angie Murchison (over45), Caley MacLean, Ewen “Crossal” MacKinnon, Peter Gordon, Willie Cowie, Will Cowie (U17), Abby MacLean (ladies) Contin Island Ravers - Donald MacDonald, Eoghan Stewart, Alan Nairn, Zander MacGregor, Donald Mellis (Over45), Ewan Pilcher, Jack Pilcher, Rachel MacDonald, Sara Jane Cameron (ladies) Keithyboys - Keith MacRae, John MacRae, Finlay MacRae, Mark MacDonald, David Falconer, Roddy Gilles (over45), Ally Nixon (U17), Isabelle Mackenzie (ladies) Team Gallacher: James Gallacher (over45), Laura Gallacher (ladies), Fraser Gallacher, Rory Gallacher U17), Michael MacKenzie, Greg Matheson, Jamie Matheson The OLD Boys of the Dell – Jimmy Gow, Rory Fraser, Russell Jones, Davie Anderson, Kevin Thain, Ronald Ross, Kirsty Deans (ladies), Fergus Dobson (U17)
League Draws The league draws were made as follows: League One League Results
Team Gallacher 2 More Achs 0 Goals from brothers Greg Matheson and Jamie Matheson got the Lovat based Team Gallacher off to a winning start.
North End 1 Spod U Like 0 Ally “Stencholl” MacDonald was an absentee for North End so Radio nan Gael presenter James “Tatties” MacDonald stepped in to take his place. Pod U Like player / manager John “Spod” MacLeod was unable to take part through work commitments but he selected and organised his side ahead of the tournament. The only goal of the game was scored by North End player / manager Ally “Digg” MacDonald.
Crossal & Co 2 Braes 0 Kevin Bartlett was unable to make the trip so Graeme MacMillan was added to the squad in his place. This was a competitive encounter with goals from Crossal & Co player / manager Iain Nicolson and Graeme MacMillan making the difference.
Inside Out 0 R U Over 45 1 R U Over 45 player / manger Davie MacVicar smashed a terrific drive into the top corner of the net to give his side the points.
Golden Oldies 1 The Jager Crew 0 Work commitments meant Peter Gordon missed the opening fixtures for the Golden Oldies but they still won their opening game thanks to a Willie Cowie strike.
Crossal & Co 0 Keithyboys 0 This early meeting between two of the completion’s favourites remained goalless.
Lochcarron 0 Spod U Like 0 Lochcarron made their first appearance but neither they, nor opponents Spod U Like were able to break the deadlock.
Inside Out 1 Contin Island Ravers 0 Inside Out forward Angie “Borve” MacDonald put the ball and the opposing keeper Donald Mellis into the back of the net to give his side the first win of the day.
The Wet Dream Team 1 Braes 0 The Wet Dream Team player/ manager David Grant missed the early fixtures as he travelled back from a social event in Inverness but his side carried on regardless as a Jordan Murchison goal clinched the points.
More Achs 0 R U Over 45 0 There were no goals in this encounter which would later prove costly for the R U Over 45 side.
North End 0 The OLD Boys of the Dell 2 The OLD Boys of the Dell were late arrivals having made the long trek from Kingussie. U17 player Savio Genini was a late call-off so Kinlochshiel youth player Fergus Dobson was recruited by player / manager Russell Jones on the journey west. The irrepressible Davie Anderson scored twice to give his side an opening fixture win.
Golden Oldies 1 Contin Island Ravers 0 The only goal of the game came courtesy of a fine Will Cowie strike as the U17 player swept the ball past Donald Mellis in the Contin Island Ravers goal.
Lochcarron 0 Keithyboys 1 Scottish international John MacRae netted to give the Kinlochshiel based side a derby win over Lochcarron.
Team Gallacher 1 Inside Out 0 Team Gallacher recorded their second victory with Greg Matheson on target.
The Wet Dream Team 1 Spod U Like 0 Steven Morrison featured in attack and scored to give the Wet Dream Team a single goal victory.
The Jager Crew 0 R U Over 45 1 A Neil MacVicar goal gave his side another three points.
Braes 0 The OLD Boys of the Dell 0 A determined display from Braes, especially keeper Aonghas MacDonald, ensured a share of the points with The Old Boys of the Dell.
Team Gallacher 0 Golden Oldies 1 The large crowd began to recognise John “Slippy” Finlayson’s Golden Oldies as serious competition contenders following their win over Team Gallacher. Veterans Caley MacLean and Ewen “Crossal” MacKinnon were outstanding as the old timers took the points thanks to a Willie Cowie goal.
Lochcarron 0 Crossal & Co 1 Lovat’s Co-operative MacTavish Cup Final hero Graeme MacMillan notched his second goal of the day to register another win.
R U Over 45 1 Contin Island Ravers 0 Kerr Gibb found the back of the net as R U Over 45 continued to pick up the points.
Keithyboys 0 Spod U Like 3 This result was some-what of a shock. Glasgow Mid Argyll’s Ladies player Joan Nicolson was a late addition to the Spod U Like squad following Kristen MacBeth’s withdrawal and she produced a brilliant volley to put Spod U Like ahead. Another Joan Nicolson goal and an Iain MacLellan effort, who departed the completion early with a couple of broken fingers, sealed the win.
The Jager Crew 1 Inside Out 1 The first score-draw of the afternoon came courtesy of goals from Ally “Cloudy” MacLeod for The Jager Crew and Inside Out U17 player Andrew Grant.
The Old Boys of the Dell 1 The Wet Dream Team 0 This was a tight encounter with an own goal eventually giving the Kingussie men victory.
Golden Oldies 0 More Achs 0 There were no goals in this encounter. Peter Gordon was in goal for the Golden Oldies following injury to Angie Murchison. Veteran Neillie Ach MacRae was suitably dressed in the opposing goal and they both kept the score blank.
North End 0 Braes 1 Braes clinched their first win of the day thanks to a Gilleasbuig MacDonald goal.
Team Gallacher 3 Contin Island Ravers 0 Team Gallacher got back on the winning way with Scotland U21 captain Greg Matheson scoring the only hat-trick of the league sections.
Crossal & Co 0 Spod U Like 0 Crossal & Co continued to rotate their keeper during the games but neither them nor Spod U Like were able to break the deadline in this meeting.
More Achs 0 Inside Out 0 There was plenty endeavour but no goals as More Achs and Inside Out shared the points following a goalless draw.
The Wet Dream Team 0 Keithyboys 0 The third consecutive no-score draw led to another share of the points.
North End 1 Lochcarron 0 Ally “Digg” MacDonald got his second goal of the day to give North End a win over Lochcarron.
R U Over 45 0 Golden Oldies 0 Both these sides were in contention for a last four spot and this draw favoured the Golden Oldies.
Spod U Like 1 Braes 0 John Gillies was a late switch to the Spod U Like team and the U17 player proved his worth with the only goal in this game.
Team Gallacher 2 The Jager Crew 0 Greg Matheson and Jamie Matheson were on target to give Team Gallacher another win.
The OLD Boys of the Dell 0 Crossal & Co 0 These two sides were starting to lead the way in League Two and they couldn’t be separated following this encounter.
More Achs 2 Contin Island Ravers 1 The More Achs secured their first win of the day thanks to goals from brothers Oliver MacRae and Duncan “Ach” MacRae with Ewen Pilcher replying for the Contin Island Ravers.
Dream Team 1 North End 0 The Wet Dream Team remained in the hunt with Jordan Murchison’s goal clinching another three points.
Golden Oldies 1 Inside Out 0 The Skye Camanachd veterans continued to prove their worth and they won this game with the goal of the tournament. Will Cowie played in a corner from the right and his father Willie Cowie took the ball first time in the air and played it downwards into the net past keeper Raymond Gillies to seal the points.
Keithyboys 0 Braes 1 Keithboys had looked to be one of the tournament favourites ahead of the start of this competition but their hoes with ended when a goal from veteran Ally Grant gave Braes a single goal triumph.
The Jager Crew 0 More Achs 3 Strikes from Duncan MacRae, Oliver MacRae and Duncan MacRae again gave the More Achs a second successive win.
The OLD Boys of the Dell 3 Lochcarron 1 Kirsty Deans was having a fine tournament for The OLD Boys of the Dell and she earned her side a bonus point with the opening goal. Ronald Ross, playing in a deep position throughout the competition, bagged his first goal of the day and Kevin Thain got the third. Gregor Cushnie replied for Lochcarron.
Team Gallacher 1 R U Over 25 1 Kerr Gibb put R U Over 25 ahead within seconds of the throw up with a shot from distance. Team Gallacher keeper James Gallacher had allowed the ball to enter the net believing that Gibb hit the shot from inside his own half but the goal stood. However Greg Matheson scored to earn Team Gallacher a point.
North End 0 Crossal & Co 1 Iain Nicolson netted again to give his side another win in a tight match against North End.
Contin Island Ravers 0 The Jager Crew 1 The Jager Crew recorded their first win of the tournament thanks to a goal from Ally “Cloudy” MacLeod.
The Wet Dream Team 1 Lochcarron 1 The Wet Dream Team’s chances of making the last four suffered a blow when they drew with Lochcarron. Steven Morrison scored for The Wet Dream Team with Kenny Cushnie on target for Lochcarron.
Keithyboys 1 North End 0 Finlay MacRae cut in from the right to give Keithyboys the win against North End.
The OLD Boys of the Dell 5 Spod U Like 0 The OLD Boys of the Dell recorded the biggest win of the day hitting five without reply against Spod U Like. Kirsty Deans grabbed a double and Davie Anderson, Kevin Thain and Russell Jones got the others.
Crossal & Co 1 The Wet Dream Team 0 Iain Nicolson was again the difference as Crossal & Co again took the points.
Braes 2 Lochcarron 2 The Braes goals came courtesy of an own goal and a strike from Nicola MacSween, which earned a bonus point. This came after Gregor Cushnie had put Lochcarron 2-0 ahead before being substituted.
The OLD Boys of the Dell 0 Keithyboys 1 Keithyboys finished on a high as a Finlay MacRae goal gave them victory over The OLD Boys of the Dell in what was the Kingussie side’s first defeat.
John MacKinnon Memorial Shinty Sixes - Semi Finals Golden Oldies finished top of League One with Team Gallacher edging out R U Over 45 on goal difference to come second. The OLD Boys of the Dell won League Two ahead of Crossal & Co. Golden Oldies 0 Crossal & Co 0 (Golden Oldies won 1-0 on penalties) Some fine goal keeping from Peter Gordon kept the Golden Oldies on level terms. One double-save from first Iain Nicolson and then John MacRitchie really caught the eye. Gordon made another great save from Graeme MacMillan whilst, at the other end, Crossal & Co were mindful of the threat posed by Willie Cowie and Drew Howie was deployed as a man-marker on the Skye veteran. With neither side able to break the deadlock, the outcome was decided by a penalty shoot-out involving the three nominated players: the Over 45s, U17 and ladies players. Willie Cowie stepped up first hand struck his penalty low and hard into the net. This turned out to be the only converted penalty so the Golden Oldies progressed to the final.
The OLD Boys of the Dell 1 Team Gallacher 2 The OLD Boys of the Dell went on the attack from the throw up and a Davie Anderson shot from a Kevin Thain corner on the left whistled just past the post. Ronald Ross then put an effort narrowly wide before they deservedly took the lead through Davie Anderson. Team Gallacher forced their way back into the game though and when Laura Gallacher set up Greg Matheson, the Scotland U21 captain made no mistake as he levelled the score. And it was Matheson who won the game for Team Gallacher. Keeper Jimmy Gow got his foot to Matheson’s shot but he was unable to keep the ball out of the net.
John MacKinnon Memorial Shinty Sixes - Final Golden Oldies 1 Team Gallacher 4 (after extra time) With two matches going on simultaneously all day, the large crowd now all gathered round to watch the final with both finalists coming from League One. The Golden Oldies were 1-0 winners following the league meeting and they took the lead in the final when a terrific Will Cowie shot flew across keeper and player / manager James Gallacher into the net. Will Cowie almost added a second when Abby MacLean collected the ball from keeper Peter Gordon and she passed to Cowie who shot just over the bar. However Team Gallacher levelled the final just before half time. Fraser Gallacher saw his initial shot saved by Peter Gordon but Greg Matheson slammed the rebound into the net to make it 1-1. Team Gallacher almost went ahead when Laura Gallacher found Jamie Matheson but his shot rose over the top. When Willie Cowie broke free from the Team Gallacher defence, he was crudely tripped by Fraser Gallacher which earned the Lovat man a trip to the sin-bin. There was no further scoring so referee John Angus Gillies took the match to an extra-time period. Greg Matheson got his and Team Gallacher’s second goal when he netted following a goalmouth scramble to make it 2-1. The Golden Oldies were now playing their second extra-time match in successive games and they understandably seemed to tire. Jamie Matheson teed up a shot and blasted the ball home to make it 3-1. The Golden Oldies made a final push to narrow the deficit but Team Gallacher hit them on the counter-attack when keeper James Gallacher played the ball out to Greg Matheson and he turned and drilled the ball low into the net to make it 4-1 and complete his hat-trick. Both teams were warmly applauded at the end of the game and the players retreated for a well-deserved shower and the presentations back at the Skye Camanachd Clubhouse.
Match Referees – Donnie Marin, John Angus Gillies (with assistance from Ewen MacLean and Davie MacVicar)
John MacKinnon Memorial Shinty Sixes - Awards Team Gallacher captain Laura Gallacher was presented with the MacKinnon Sixes Shield by Elaine Nicolson, John MacKinnon’s granddaughter, at a well-attended reception at the Skye Camanachd Clubhouse afterwards. The Player of the Tournament winners were as follows: U17 Player of the Tournament – Will Cowie (Golden Oldies) Ladies Player of the Tournament – Kirsty Deans (The OLD Boys of the Dell) Over 45s Player of the Tournament – Caley MacLean (Golden Oldies) Overall Player of the Tournament – Greg Matheson (Team Gallacher)
John MacKinnon Memorial Shinty Sixes - Event Sponsors – Skye Camanachd would like to acknowledge the generous support of competition sponsors: DA MacLennan, Kyleakin & Highland Industrial Supplies & The Shinty Shop |