The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 18 July 2015 - UPDATED! | |
19 July 2015 Beauly lifted the Balliemore Cup for the first time as the wet weather left a depleted shinty programme on Saturday 18 July 2015.
Balliemore Cup Final Glasgow Mid Argyll 3 Beauly 5 Beauly lifted the Balliemore Cup for the first time when they beat Glasgow Mid Argyll 5-3 at the Dell. Glasgow Mid Argyll boss George Hay has had to do without a number of players in recent weeks. Finlay MacMillan and Brendan McLoone are abroad until later in the year as is Conal Mulholland. However the versatile Ben Dalgety was back after missing last weekend’s Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup defeat to Inveraray and he was given a role in defence. Former Aberdeen player Brian Slattery also returned the side. Beauly manager Roger Cormack welcomed the experienced Jamie MacLennan back following a two-match suspension for his red card in the semi-final win over Kilmallie and MacLennan started at full back. Cormack was also relieved that full forward Marc MacLachlan had recovered from a leg knock sustained against Skye Camanachd a fortnight ago and he came through last weekend’s 4-0 win over his former club Ballachulish with no ill-effects. The teams were piped onto the field and were introduced to Camanachd Association President Jim Barr ahead of throw up. The Dell playing surface was in excellent condition as usual. GMA started will and former Kinlochshiel player John Don MacKenzie burst forward from midfield before shooting wide in the game’s first attack. GMA went close on two more occasions before Jack MacDonald sent a 22 yard shot narrowly wide for Beauly. Beauly’s Conor Ross opened the scoring with a goal on 11 minutes when he tapped a rebound into the net after GMA goalie Jonathon Oates had saved from Marc MacLachlan following a Beauly shy on the left. Barrie MacDonald looped a shot over the top after lead up play from Marc MacLachlan and Beauly lad their tails up. GMA drew level on 20 minutes when Angus MacIntosh got a touch on a John Don MacKenzie free-hit in the D from the left side of midfield and as Beauly keeper Josh Grant tried to clear, the ball deflected into the net off his leg to make it 1-1. If there were any fears that Beauly would falter having lost out in three previous Balliemore finals, then the players certainly didn’t show it and they went on to overwhelm GMA in the remainder of the half. Indeed the sides were level for just 60 seconds as Beauly regained the initiative from the throw up. Marc MacLachlan collected a ball from midfield and he found Calum Morrison who teed up Conor Ross on the right, he lashed the ball high into the net to score his second to make it 2-1. Merely a couple of more minutes had elapsed before Beauly made it 3-1 thanks to another MacLachlan - Ross combination. Conor Ross played a free-hit forward from inside his own half and Marc MacLachlan tested Jonathon Oates with a shot goalwards and although the keeper made the save, Conor Ross was on hand and the player they call Bub bust GMA’s bubble when he completed his hat-trick as he sent the rebound low into the net to complete his hat-trick. GMA tried to fight back but Beauly were in full flight and Sean Stewart made it 4-1 on 33 minutes. Marc MacLachlan got past his marker and found Conor Ross who set-up Stewart who fired goalwards. Jonathon Oates got his hand to the shot but he couldn’t stop the ball from going over the line. Conor Ross recently became a father and he continued the celebrations following the birth of his daughter with a fourth goal on 37 minutes to make it 5-1. Again Ross profited from a rebound at the far side of the D after a Jack MacDonald Jack MacDonald created the goal on the Beauly left and his cross-field pass found Ross on the right and he smashed the ball across the keeper. Marc MacLachlan went close as Beauly threatened to run away with the match. GMA pressed in the closing stages of the first half without troubling Josh Grant in the Beauly goal. Beauly went into the break knowing they could now only throw the trophy away. They made a change at the interval with Ryan MacKay replacing Jamie MacLennan. Conor Ross hit the post before GMA pulled a goal back on 53 minutes when John Don MacKenzie turned his marker and ran on to shoot through a crowded goal-area into the ball went into the right-hand corner of Josh Grant’s net to make it 5-2. Jonathon Oates made a couple of good saves and a Marc MacLachlan effort was cleared off the line as Beauly looked to add to their tally. Beauly replaced Calum Morrison with Sandy Elrick before David MacLean limped off after taking a blow to the leg and Colin MacDonald came on in his place. GMA tried hard to reduce the deficit further but the Beauly rear-guard stayed strong. The Glasgow side threw on Craig Anderson for the final 10 minutes. Anderson has hardly featured since early-April through injury and GMA have missed his goals and he forced a good save from Josh Grant, low at his left post, shortly after coming on. Referee John MacGregor awarded GMA a penalty in stoppage time. Beauly keeper Josh Grant had come off his line in an attempt to clear the ball out of his goal area but he was penalised for flattening John Don MacKenzie, who had a fine game for the Glasgow side, at the edge of the D. Craig Anderson made no mistake from the spot, tucking a shoulder-high shot inside the keeper’s right post to make it 5-3. There were only seconds to go though and the final whistle signalled the Beauly celebrations. Beauly captain David MacLean was presented with the Balliemore Cup by Camanachd Association President Jim Barr.
SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup – Quarter Final Fort William P Lovat P The SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup quarter-final tie between Fort William and Lovat at An Aird was postponed at Lovat’s request following a the passing of former Lovat and Caberfeidh player Davie Morrison, grandfather to Lovat’s Kevin Bartlett. The match has been rescheduled for Saturday 1 August 2015 as Lovat are in Artemis Macaulay Cup semi-final action next weekend. The winners will face Inveraray in the semi-final stage of shinty’s top competition.
Marine Harvest Premiership Newtonmore 2 Kinlochshiel 0 The top two teams in the Marine Harvest Premiership met in a noon throw up at the Eilan. And it was Newtonmore who maintain their three point lead at the top of the table with a 2-0 victory. This was Newtonmore’s first home match at the Eilan since they beat Lochaber in the league on Saturday 6 June 2015. Steven MacDonald was still missing because of work commitments and Norman Campbell was also out so Rory Kennedy took over at full back. Kinlochshiel have fielded a settled side in recent weeks and they were along usual lines with the exception of Donald Nixon and Calum MacLean. There were starts for Duncan “DA” MacRae, Duncan “Ach” MacRae and Alasdair Nixon with Nathan Whear and Gordie MacDonald on the bench. The visitors were forced to defend in the opening stages and they suffered a blow after 12 minutes when Oliver MacRae had to leave the field with a pulled muscle in his chest so Gordie MacDonald replaced him in attack. Jamie Robinson eased ‘More into the match with a rasping 20 yard strike after 15 minutes to make it 1-0. Home goalie Michael Ritchie made a great save; tipping away a Duncan “Ach” MacRae drive and he used his hand to turn away a Keith MacRae shot for a corner. Play switched to the other end and Scott Kennedy showed his agility to stretch out a foot to deny Glen MacKintosh before clearing the ball. Evan Menzies struck from a rehearsed set-piece 20 yards from goal on 42 minutes to make it 2-0. With the ‘More forwards jostling for space, Fraser MacKintosh slipped the dead-ball to Menzies on his left and he made no mistake. Kinlochshiel rarely troubled Newtonmore goalie Michael Ritchie in the second half. An unmarked Glen MacKintosh passed up ‘More’s best chance for a third but he shot straight at keeper Kennedy. The reigning champions saw out the remainder of the match to seal the win which sets them up nicely for next weekend’s Artemis Macaulay Cup semi-final tie against Lovat at Braeview Park.
Kyles Athletic 4 Inveraray 1 Kyles Athletic and Inveraray returned to league action after both recorded SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd quarter-final victories last weekend and it was the home side who took the points with a 4-1 win at Tighnabruaich. Andrew King was still out for Kyles Athletic as was full centre David Zavaroni so Grant Irvine dropped back to fill his role whilst Roberto Zavaroni took Irvine’s attacking slot. Inveraray were still minus Chris Crawford who is still nursing a shoulder injury. David MacPherson was sidelined with a hamstring problem and Garry MacPherson was also absent and he will also miss next weekend’s Artemis Macaulay Cup semi-final tie against Oban Camanachd at Mossfield as his booking against Glasgow Mid Argyll a week earlier triggers a one-match suspension. However Nicholas Crawford returned and there was a second successive first team starting place for Fraser Watt who also played and scored for the Inveraray second team 48 hours earlier. Roberto Zavaroni justified his place in the starting line-up with a goal after just 4 minutes. Dunkie Kerr made it 2-0 on 16 minutes and Kyles decision making looked good, even at this early stage in the contest. Kyles, with Grant Irvine in outstanding form in the middle of the park, continued to dominate and Roddy MacDonald added a third on 32 minutes. Roberto Zavaroni made it 4-0 with his second goal a minute after the restart. Kyles hitting was good and they seemed first to every ball and Euan McMurdo’s 81 minute effort was a small consolation for a below par Inveraray. The win lifts Kyles Athletic to fifth place in shinty’s top division and they’ll have the chance to make further progress next weekend when they host Kinlochshiel. Inveraray finished the match with U17 forwards Fraser Watt, Lewis Montgomery and Ross Montgomery all on the field of play which bodes well for the future. However their immediate focus will be on getting players back for next week’s Artemis Macaulay Cup semi-final tie against Oban Camanachd at Mossfield.
Glenurquhart 2 Lochaber 3 Lochaber are unbeaten in five matches after they defeated Glenurquhart 3-2 at Blairbeg. Both sides went into the match on the back of three successive league victories. Andrew Corrigan returned for Glenurquhart and started in place of Fraser Heath who was unavailable. Martin Johnstone was back for Lochaber and he started on the bench. Neil MacDonald was missing. A rare Iain MacLeod goal, with his ball in on goal from wide on the right deceiving Lochaber keeper Calum MacDonald, put the Glen ahead after just 4 minutes and they kept pressure on the Lochaber goal throughout the opening period. However the visitors drew level when Shaun Nicolson equalised on the half hour mark. Nicolson picked up a Pat Toal through ball in midfield and he finished in traditional style, drawing Glen keeper Stuart MacKintosh, before slotting the ball home to make it 1-1. Glenurquhart were forced to make a change when John Barr pulled up with a hamstring injury and Andrew Corrigan had to drop back to buckshee back. Lochaber made a change late in the half with Martin Johnstone coming on in midfield to good effect for Pat Toal. The game swung more in Lochaber’s favour in the second half with much better play from their midfield and forwards. The visitors suffered a blow on 55 minutes when Shaun Nicolson sustained a hand injury which required a trip to hospital and it was later confirmed that he had a broken bone in his thumb. Pat Toal returned to the field in his place. Lochaber went in front for the first time on 65 minutes when Stuart Callison scored from close range after sterling work from Ben Delaney. Neale Reid restored parity just a couple of minutes later with a great strike from around 15 yards out. Lochaber regained the lead on 72 minutes when Kevin Ferguson topped an excellent performance by scoring the goal of the game to make it 3-2. Ferguson collected the ball from just inside the Glen half and beat two defenders before unleashing an unstoppable 35 yard drive which flew into the net just inside Stuart MacKintosh’s right-hand post before the keeper could react. Lochaber’s Zandz Ferguson got a good 70 minutes under his belt as he continues his return from a broken ankle. The final outcome could have gone either way and Lochaber had their defence to thank for a solid performance and keeper Calum MacDonald made one great save in the first 5 minutes of the match and three more in the second half. Shaun Nicolson’s injury, and the news that he will be sidelined for a few weeks, did take the gloss off a very satisfying day for Lochaber who secured a first Blairbeg win over Glenurquhart in around 10 years. This was Glenurquhart’s first defeat since they lifted the RBS MacTavish Cup. This season has seen a remarkable turnaround for a Lochaber side which finished bottom of the table last year with just four points from one win and two draws. Their only league defeats this term have been against Newtonmore (twice), Kyles Athletic and Lovat. The sides do it all over again next Saturday when they meet in league action at Spean Bridge.
Marine Harvest National Division Ballachulish P Skye Camanachd P The 3pm throw up between Ballachulish and Skye Camanachd was postponed early on Saturday morning as the Jubilee Park pitch was waterlogged.
Caberfeidh P Kilmallie P The match between Caberfeidh and Kilmallie at Castle Leod was postponed at Cabers request because of the passing of former Lovat and Caberfeidh stalwart Davie Morrison, grandfather to Lovat’s Kevin Bartlett and Caberfeidh brothers Blair Morrison and Craig Morrison.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Newtonmore 2 Kingussie 1 The Badenoch reserve team derby between Newtonmore and Kingussie at the Eilan was scheduled for Friday 17 July 2015. Newtonmore included Steven MacDonald who has been missing from their first team during July because of Saturday work commitments and started at buckshee back. Kingussie gave starting spots to Ryan Borthwick and Rory MacGregor. Kingussie led 1-0 at the break thanks to an 11 minute Rory MacGregor goal. Kingussie had the better of the first period although their keeper Robert Shiells made a couple of good saves and the home side hit the frame of the goal. Kingussie took Lee Bain on at half-time to bolster their side. Steven MacDonald had been moved from defence to midfield and then up front for ‘More and the switches paid off when MacDonald pulled his side level 10 minutes into the second half as he threw himself at a ball across goal and managed to divert it into the net. Newtonmore were the better team after the interval and Iain Robinson netted what turned out to be the winning goal on 67 minutes. There was an exciting final 20 minutes to the game but no further scoring.
Fort William 3 Glenurquhart 1 The division’s top two teams clashed at An Aird with league leaders Fort William colts beating Glenurquhart colts 3-1. With no first team game, Fort William were able to include Duncan Rodger and Ewen Campbell in their squad and this proved significant. Cairn Urquhart gave Glenurquhart the lead on 28 minutes. However they only stayed in front for a couple of minutes when a Duncan Rodger goal ensured the sides went into the break on level terms. It was Fort William who would take the points though as Ewen Campbell struck twice on 59 and 70 minutes to make it 3-1. Fort William are now four points ahead of second place Newtonmore but they have played a game more.
Kinlochshiel 1 Strathglass 6 The Kinlochshiel second team went down 6-1 to Strathglass at Kirkton. Kinlochshiel manager Willie MacRae was still without Graham Morrison and Fergus Dobson. Allan MacDiarmid will be sidelined for a number of weeks after suffering facial injuries in the 3-2 Strathdearn Cup quarter-final win over the Kingussie reserves last weekend and to add to his woes, Neil Fraser, who scored a hat-trick in that game, was a late call-off so Duncan Campbell started in his place. Iain Cameron and Raymond Gillies have played in goal for the ‘Shiel seconds this season but former first team keeper Graham Kennedy was between the sticks for this one. Strathglass boss David Balharry was without a couple of his younger players. Keeper Stevie MacLachlan was also missing as he was watching his son Marc MacLachlan play for Beauly against Glasgow Mid Argyll in the Balliemore Cup Final. Defender Ally MacAdams was the stand-in keeper for the game. Strathglass won the toss of the coin and opted to shoot down the slope in the first half and they attacked from the throw up. A turn and shot from Donald Fraser gave Strathglass a 7 minute lead. Graham Kennedy got his stick to the ball but he couldn’t stop it going into his top right-hand corner of the net. The visitors made an early change with Lewis Douglas replacing Josh Fraser and it was Douglas who hammered the ball into the net from the Strath right on 34 minutes to make it 2-0. Strathglass extended their lead just 3 minutes later when Darren Reid crashed a great shot off the crossbar and Donald Fraser found the back of the net from a tight angle on the left. The second half was just a couple of minutes old when Strathglass forward Darren Reid scored the goal of the match. Referee Calum Girvan penalised ‘Shiel defender Michael Morrison for a challenge on Josh Fraser on the Strathglass left. Donald Fraser played a short free-hit back to Darren Reid and he sent a glorious 20 yard drive into the top left hand corner of Graham Kennedy’s net. Josh Fraser made it 5-0 on 51 minutes. There was a scramble for possession on the edge of the ‘Shiel D and Fraser knocked the ball forward before tucking it into the corner of the net. Kinlochshiel captain Johnnie MacAskill pulled a goal back on the hour when he sent a speculative effort from the left of midfield. The ball looped down on the Strathglass goal and although Ally MacAdams got his caman to the ball, he couldn’t prevent it crossing the line. Lewis Douglas rounded off the scoring when he made it 6-1 on 78 minutes. Strathglass full centre Michael Stokes played a high ball into the ‘Shiel goal area. Graham Kennedy came off his line and chested the ball away but Lewis Douglas raced in to turn the ball into the net. There was late controversy when Strathglass were awarded a penalty. Youngster Penn Jones, who had come on the field just over 10 minutes earlier, was given the chance to score a first Strathglass goal. Jones hit the penalty well enough, low and hard to Graham Kennedy left. The ball ended up behind the ‘Shiel goal with the visiting forwards claiming it went through a hole in the net. However after consulting with goal judge Daniel MacRae, referee Calum Girvan ruled that the ball had gone past the post. Youngster Jono Price impressed for Strathglass at buckshee back. ‘Shiel host the Beauly seconds next weekend whilst Strathglass have a derby meeting with the Glenurquhart seconds. The Glen were 5-3 winners when the sides met in the league at Cannich last weekend but this win and performance will give Strathglass confidence.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Kilmory 1 Inveraray 2 The meeting between Kilmory and the Inveraray seconds was brought forward to Thursday 16 July 2015 with a 7pm throw up at MacRae Park. And it was league leaders Inveraray who took the points after a hard-fought 2-1 win. Bottom of the table Kilmory took the lead when Colin Campbell spotted a gap in the Inveraray defence and darted onto a ball played across the penalty area. Campbell took a touch before running goalwards and knocking the ball past on-rushing Inveraray keeper Scott MacLachlan and although the ball came back off the post, Campbell was first to react and he put the ball into the empty net to make it 1-0. Inveraray equalised from a set piece close to the penalty spot. Fraser Watt took the free-hit and tried to slip the ball past his marker who was standing in front of him. However the ball rebounded back to Watt and he struck it first time into the roof of the net to make it 1-1. The winning goal came when Inveraray forward Neil Campbell cut into the D at a tight angle with two Kilmory defenders giving chase. Campbell slipped the ball past the keeper and Niall Shaw ran through to make sure the ball crossed the line. The 2-1 victory leaves the Inveraray seconds five points clear at the top of the table ahead of the weekend fixtures although they have played four matches more than their nearest rivals.
Bute 11 Kyles Athletic 0 Bute climb to fourth in the table after they over-powered the Kyles Athletic second team 11-0 in their 3pm throw up at the Meadows. Stewart Stirling gave the home side a 5 minute lead and Duncan Davidson made it 2-0 on 16 minutes. Stewart Stirling got his second and Bute’s third a couple of minutes later. Duncan Davidson got his second to make it 4-0 on 35 minutes and when Neil McKirdy notched the fifth on 42 minutes, Bute were out of sight. The goals continued to flow in the second half with former Lovat player Duncan Davidson completing his hat-trick a couple of minutes after the restart. James Craig on 59 minutes and Gordon MacMillan a couple of minutes later added their names to the list of scorers and Bute led 8-0. David Whitelaw made it 9-0 with just 10 minutes remaining. Neil McKirdy completed his hat-trick and the scoring when he made it 11-0 with a late double on 85 and 89 minutes. Bute now leap-frog the Kyles colts into fourth place in the league and, with games in hand on the three teams above them, Ted MacDonald’s side can be considered genuine title contenders and they host second place Lochside Rovers this coming Saturday.
Glenorchy P Aberdour P The 1pm throw up between Glenorchy and was postponed on Friday evening as Mart Park was ruled unplayable.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Lochaber P Skye Camanachd P The match between the Lochaber and Skye Camanachd second teams was postponed on Saturday morning Spean Bridge failed a pitch inspection.
Kilmallie P Inverness P The Canal Parks was ruled unplayable on Saturday morning so the clash between the Kilmallie and Inverness reserve teams was postponed.
Glengarry P Caberfeidh P The game between Glengarry and the Caberfeidh second team at Craigard was postponed at Cabers request because of a bereavement. Players and officials from the Castle Leod side attended the funeral of former player Davie Morrison.
Aberdeen University P Boleskine P The match between Aberdeen University and Boleskine was postponed on Friday as the heavy rain left Balgownie unplayable.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Aberdour 2 Oban Lorn 5 Oban Lorn recorded their first win since mid-April when they beat the Aberdour second team 5-2 at Silver Sands. The earlier victory was against the same opponents in the reverse fixture at Ganavan with a David Martin (Jnr) goal separating the sides. The Oban side travelled without any substitutes. However they started well and, with a strong win in their favour, they ran up a 3-0 half time lead with Daniel MacKinnon scoring twice and Alan Duffy getting the other. Aberdour had the elements in their favour in the second half and they came more into the game and a Chris Bowerman double reduced the deficit to a single goal. Oban Lorn’s Alan Duffy was shown a red card by referee Ewen MacDonald which gave the home side more hope. However when referee Ewen MacDonald awarded the visitors a penalty, David Martin turned the ball past Aberdour goalie Craig Callaghan to make it 4-2. Oban Lorn rounded off the win when youngster Lennon Campbell lofted the ball high into the net with keeper Callaghan sprinting from his goal to narrow the angle. The 5-2 win leaves Oban Lorn still in fourth place in the league but they will travel to Bute next weekend with confidence on the back of this result.
Bute P Col Glen P The noon throw up between the Bute reserves and second place Col Glen was postponed on Friday afternoon when it was deemed that the Meadows was unable to host two matches.
Ballachulish P Tayforth P The noon throw up between league leaders Tayforth and the Ballachulish second team was postponed as Jubilee Park was waterlogged.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless stated differently) (These reports will be updated as more information becomes available) |