The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 19 August 2017 | |
20 August 2017 Kyles Athletic lifted the Artemis Macaulay Cup, Kinlochshiel returned to the top of the Marine Harvest Premiership whilst Skye Camanachd maintain their advantage at the top of the Marine Harvest National Division following the shinty action on Saturday 19 August 2017.
Artemis Macaulay Cup Final Kyles Athletic 7 Newtonmore 4 Kyles Athletic added the Artemis Macaulay Cup to the Glasgow Celtic Society Cup won earlier in the season after beating Newtonmore 7-4 in their 2pm throw up at Mossfield. Kyles Athletic manager James Perlich switched Donald Irvine to full back after Callum Miller was ruled out with a broken foot sustained in the previous week’s league win over Glenurquhart. However the match came too soon for the injured Innes MacDonald although he was listed as a substitute. Thomas Whyte started at full centre. Newtonmore manager Paul John MacKintosh was still minus injured pair Drew MacDonald and Chris Sellar and captain Rory Kennedy ankle ligament injury suffered against Glasgow Mid Argyll was a blow for both the club and the player. Steven MacDonald started at full back. Evan Menzies featured in attack but he will miss this coming Saturday’s Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup semi-final against Skye Camanachd as his booking against GMA took him over the disciplinary points threshold. The match was broadcast live on BBC2 Scotland and the acclaimed Oban High School Pipe band led both teams and the officials onto the pitch. Despite heavy rain in Oban during the week, Mossfield Groundsman Iain Hay and his team had the field in good condition and Macaulay President David Thompson and Roddy MacCuish from Argyll & Bute Council were introduced to the players and officials. The rain eased ahead of throw up and Kyles won the toss so started with the wind in their favour. Three goals in the opening 12 minutes was a sign of what was to come. Colin MacDonald gave Kyles the lead after just 3 minutes. Grant Irvine took a Robbie MacLeod free-hit and was allowed to run at the Newtonmore defence and, with ‘More trying to clear, the ball broke to Colin MacDonald at the edge of the D and his shot bobbled low into the corner of the net, beating keeper Norman Campbell on his right side. Newtonmore levelled on 8 minutes. Michael Russell sent a long ball forward. Kyles Athletic keeper John Whyte came off his line but missed his hit at the edge of the D and then lost his footing which allowed Glen MacKintosh to run in and he was rewarded for great anticipation as he gleefully rolled the ball into the unguarded goal. Kyles regained the lead 4 minutes later. Gordon Whyte played a one-two with Grant Irvine as he broke up the right and his ball into the middle fell to Colin MacDonald who saw an initial effort blocked by Norman Campbell before he volleyed the rebound into the net from inside the D. Kyles led 2-1 and the Newtonmore defence looked vulnerable as it adjusted to cope with the absence of influential full back Rory Kennedy. The rain returned and Colin MacDonald, who was now on a hat-trick, turned and shot past the keeper’s right post. Michael Russell was first to find his name into the referee’s book midway through the first half when brought down a marauding Robbie MacLeod. Fraser MacKintosh then tugged a shot wide under pressure from Ross MacRae. With the first half moving into the final 15 minutes, Sandy MacKenzie went wide to gather a free-hit and he played a one-two with Colin MacDonald but his shot rose over the bar. Moments later, an Evan Menzies cross from the left fell for Glen MacKintosh just inside the D but he topped his shot. The danger wasn’t over as John Whyte’s clearance went straight to Fraser MacKintosh but the keeper redeemed himself, saving with his feet. The chances continued to flow and Ackie MacRae did well to get a last-gasp challenge in on Sandy MacKenzie after Colin MacDonald had slipped him in and Kyles had to settle for a corner. Both defences were struggling to clear their lines and Fraser MacKintosh drilled a shot from the left across goal at the second attempt. Michael Russell surged forward and was brought down by a back-tracking Sandy MacKenzie which earned the Kyles man a yellow card. After absorbing the majority of the first half pressure, Newtonmore finished with a flourish and, with just 60 seconds of the first half remaining, David MacLean sent the ball down the Newtonmore right where Iain Robinson took a touch before crossing high into the danger-area. Glen MacKintosh knocked the ball into the path of Fraser MacKintosh who ran to his left and, from the penalty spot; he blasted a powerful shot just under the bar to make it 2-2. And after playing with the benefit of the elements; Kyles Athletic found themselves on level-pegging at the interval. Newtonmore made a change at the interval with Paul MacArthur replacing Iain Richardson at wing centre. Craig Ritchie went to full centre with Michael Russell dropping back into defence. The second half was just 23 seconds old when Roddy MacDonald played in Sandy MacKenzie and he took the ball away from goal to just make just enough space to direct a shot which went through the legs of both defender Michael Russell and keeper Norman Campbell and put Kyles in front for a third time in the final. This time they would stay in front. Newtonmore responded and Cammy Keith blocked an Evan Menzies shot at the expense of a corner. Andy MacKintosh needed treatment after the tail-end of a Roddy MacDonald swing caught him on the forehead he had to leave the field so Jamie Robinson came on at centre with Craig Ritchie returning to defence. Steven MacDonald took over Andy MacKintosh’s marking duties on Roddy MacDonald with Michael Russell going to full back. With the final just seconds past the hour mark, Roddy MacDonald came deep to get onto a ball forward and ran to the right before thundering a shot over the keeper’s shoulder from the angle and Kyles led 4-2. Just after the restart, Sandy MacKenzie ran onto a defence-splitting Roddy MacDonald pass and his shot from almost the same spot was saved with his club by Norman Campbell. A bandaged up Andy MacKintosh returned to defence with Craig Ritchie withdrawn and MacKintosh resumed his shadowing role on Roddy MacDonald. . Kyles took a grip of the match and Roddy MacDonald got his second on 67 minutes. Once again, Kyles played the ball out wide and Colin MacDonald gathered possession before making a superb run in-field and he picked out Roddy MacDonald who sent the ball low into the net to make it 5-2. With 20 minutes remaining, Dunkie Kerr came on in favour of Colin MacDonald and MacDonald, who scored both goals in Kyles 2-0 semi-final win over Oban Camanachd, could be more than pleased with another two-goal contribution. Norman Campbell saved a Roddy MacDonald shot with his feet before Newtonmore narrowed the deficit on 72 minutes when Glen MacKintosh got on the end of a Fraser MacKintosh cut-back following a David MacLean corner from the right and the goal made it 5-2 with 72 minutes played. However there was to be no come-back as Roddy MacDonald completed his hat-trick a couple of minutes when he controlled a ball driven forward by Thomas Whyte, and, from the edge of the D, MacDonald was fortunate to escape an offside call and he slotted the ball low into the net to restore the Tighnabruaich men’s three-goal cushion. Scotland U17 player Scott MacDonald took over from Sandy MacKenzie in the Kyles attack. Kyles scored the goal of the match on 78 minutes. Ross MacRae started the move by winning possession in his own half and he picked out Grant Irvine on the right and his first time pass found Dunkie Kerr. Scott MacDonald ran forward and stretched to pull Kerr’s ball forward across goal and Roddy MacDonald nipped in to sweep the ball into the net. Glen MacKintosh completed his hat-trick on 79 minutes when he took a Fraser MacKintosh pass before making space to turn and he sent a dipping 22 yard shot which caught out keeper Whyte at his left post to make it 7-4. Ackie MacRae had to come off to get a head cut seen to and there was still time for John Whyte to make a good save with his caman to deny Jamie Robinson. However the goal deluge was over and the Artemis Macaulay Cup returned to Tighnabruaich for the first time since 2013 and the twelfth time overall. Thomas Whyte was the sponsor’s choice as man of the match although four-goal Roddy MacDonald must have run him close. The Artemis Macaulay Cup and silver mounted caman were presented to Kyles Athletic captain Gordon Whyte by Graeme Mitchell from sponsors Artemis.
Marine Harvest Premiership Kinlochshiel 5 Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 Kinlochshiel returned to the top of the Marine Harvest Premiership after beating Glasgow Mid Argyll 5-1 in their 3pm throw up at The Bught Park. This was Kinlochshiel’s home match but the wet west coast weather from Thursday through to Friday initially led to the postponement of ‘Shiel’s second team fixture but it later became clear that the pitch would not be playable by Saturday afternoon. The Camanachd Association opted to switch the fixture to The Bught Park. Kinlochshiel took the lead on 7 minutes. The goal came from a John MacRae lay-off on the on the right and Keith MacRae placed the ball waist-high, past the on-rushing keeper and into the goal. A second goal followed on 25 minutes when some nice passing down the left wing culminated with Jordan Fraser’s low, firm cross and Keith MacRae timed his run perfectly, hitting the ball first-time, hard and low past the keeper. ‘Shiel added a third a couple of minutes later. Another exchange of quick ground passing was finished off by Oliver MacRae who guided the ball past the keeper, high into the net. Scotland U17 forward Calum Mclay pulled a goal back for GMA on 52 minutes. The west coast side restored their three-goal advantage with 20 minutes remaining. Keith MacRae challenged for a high ball out of defence and the ball dropped for Oliver MacRae in the wing forward position. Oliver MacRae went on a great individual run down the left flank and, after cutting inside to give himself space to shoot at goal, he spotted John MacRae in space on the edge of the D so slipped the ball through and, with time and space, John MacRae sent a waist-high shot past the keeper. Kinlochshiel put the outcome beyond doubt on 76 minutes. Scott MacLean held the ball up before picking out Keith MacRae in a central position and he ran with the ball before blasting a 22 yard shot over the keeper’s shoulder to make it 5-1. Keith MacRae’s excellent form has been a feature of Kinlochshiel’s successful league campaign and he had the ball in the net again only to have the effort ruled out for offside. Finlay MacRae made a good run into the box and sent the ball to the back post where Keith MacRae was in space just outside the D. Finlay MacRae was flattened after making the pass and unable to get out of D before Keith MacRae netted so the strike was ruled out. Kinlochshiel now lead Kyles Athletic by two points but they have played a game more. ‘Shiel’s next scheduled match is against Newtonmore at The Eilan on Saturday 9 September 2017.
Glenurquhart 2 Oban Camanachd 3 Oban Camanachd go fifth in the division after defeating Glenurquhart 3-2 in their 3pm throw up at Blairbeg. Glen’s John Barr served the second game of a two match suspension whilst fellow defender Lachie Smith started a five game spell on the sidle-lines following his red card against Kyles Athletic the previous weekend. Andrew Corrigan was free of his ban and started in defence. Eddie Tembo was unavailable so David Smart was also given a starting place. Oban Camanachd also had suspension difficulties as Garry Lord’s sending off in the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup defeat to Lovat triggered a four game ban. Matt Rippon was still out injured as were Scott MacKillop and Daniel MacVicar whilst Aidan MacIntyre was also missing. Youngsters Liam Buchanan and Evan MacLellan were given starting places and Craig Easton and Michael MacQueen started on the bench. A heavy fall of rain ahead of throw up left the surface greasy and it was Oban Camanachd who struck first with Malcolm Clark shooting through a crowded area at the shop end. The Glen had to make an early change with Paul MacKintosh replacing an injured David Smart and the substitute levelled a couple of minutes before the break when his bouncing shot from distance deceived Oban keeper Gavin Stobbart and trundled into the net. Oban Camanachd regained the lead on 64 minutes when Daniel Cameron’s powerful shot skidded off the surface, through a ruck of players and into the net. Willie Neilson, who started in defence, made it 3-1 just 4 minutes later when he turned home a rebound after Daniel Cameron's initial shot from a tight angle came back off the post. Some erratic finishing prevented Oban Camanachd adding to their tally. Daniel MacKintosh made it 3-2 on 90 minutes when he pulled away to get onto a good ball from Jed Stoddart and he sent a good shot into the net at the second attempt. Michael Fraser had a good game in defence for Glenurquhart whilst Scott MacMillan was best for Oban Camanachd.
Kilmallie P Lovat P The Canal Parks was waterlogged on Friday so the 3pm throw up against Lovat was called off.
Marine Harvest National Division Skye Camanachd 4 Fort William 0 It was a key weekend in the Marine Harvest National Division title race as the top four sides faced eachother. Skye Camanachd scored twice in each half to beat fourth placed Fort William 4-0 at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Skye manager Willie Cowie was on holiday so Peter Gordon took charge of the side. Will Cowie was unavailable so Jordan Murchison came into the Skye starting line-up. Fort William bosses Victor Smith and Adam Robertson were still without the injured Bryan Simpson and Seamus Gall, whilst the suspended Lewis Clark also missed out. This was the only match on the west coach to go ahead. Skye took the lead on 5 minutes when Iain MacLellan got onto a Stewart Grant free-hit from the left of the penalty spot. MacLellan took the ball wide to the Skye right before driving low into the net. Skye’s second came from a superb Stewart Grant shy on the left. Danny Morrison played the ball on and James Pringle managed to take the ball on a run before showing great composure to send a strike low into the net from the left of the D to make it 2-0 with 15 minutes played. James Pringle got his second and Skye’s third on 58 minutes. Danny Morrison played the ball on to Iain MacLellan whose first time pass found James Pringle and he whipped the ball into the net. Fort William were furious, feeling an infringement in the lead up to the goal should have been penalised. Fort William enjoyed a period of pressure and it was against the run of play that Jordon Murchison rounded off the win with a terrific finish on 83 minutes. Murchison took a deft touch to the side to take a Stewart Grant pass round an on-rushing keeper before calmly slotting the ball home for what was a great goal. Skye remain three points ahead of second placed Caberfeidh and, with two teams being promoted, third placed Inveraray and fourth placed Fort William can now only equal Skye’s points tally so a return to shinty’s top flight seems certain barring a total collapse in the Islanders remaining matches which are at home to both Caberfeidh and Inveraray and away to Fort William. Before that, there is the small matter of a Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup semi-final meeting with Newtonmore at The Bught Park this coming Saturday. Throw up is at 4pm and the match will be broadcast live on BBC Alba.
Caberfeidh 5 Inveraray 2 Second placed Caberfeidh and third placed Inveraray met for the second successive Saturday; this time at Castle Leod. Inveraray were 2-0 winners at The Winterton seven days earlier but this time a Craig Morrison hat-trick helped Cabers to a 5-2 victory. Martin MacDonald was banned for the hosts whilst Garry MacPherson was still out for Inveraray. Caberfeidh took the lead almost straight from the throw up when Kevin Bartlett sent the ball through to Colin MacLennan and hit it past the goalie. Inveraray levelled on 15 minutes. A Lewis Montgomery shot came back off the post and John Kennedy got onto the rebound and played the ball back to Lewis Montgomery who got himself into the box where he was taken down. Fraser Watt stepped up to score from the spot. Craig Morrison put the hosts back in front on 40 minutes with a strike from the edge of D on the Cabers’ left. Just a minute later, Kevin Bartlett did well to turn his man at the edge of the D and he smashed the ball home to make it 3-1. Referee Innes Wood awarded Inveraray a second penalty almost straight from the restart. Inveraray won the centre and Fraser Watt played a one-two with Allan MacDonald and as Watt was about to shoot, he was taken down from behind. Watt picked himself up to score his second spot-hit of the afternoon. The ball broke across the edge of the box to Craig Morrison and he fired home on 67 minutes to make it 4-2. Craig Morrison completed his hat-trick on 74 minutes with a shot from just behind the penalty spot which sent the ball into the bottom corner of the net. With Skye in Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup action this Saturday, Caberfeidh will look to cut the gap at the top of the table when they visit Fort William.
Strathglass 2 Beauly 2 Strathglass played their final match of the season, sharing the points following a 2-2 draw with Beauly at Cannich. Josh Fraser and Darren Reid scored for Strathglass with Jack MacDonald and Sean Stewart on target for Beauly.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Kingussie 3 Skye Camanachd 0 Strathdearn Cup winners Kingussie colts beat the Skye Camanachd colts 3-0 at The Dell. Kingussie made just one change from their cup winning side with Dylan Borthwick on holiday. Skye, playing their final match of the season, travelled without the injured Ross Gordon, Ruaraidh MacLeod and John Angus MacInnes whilst Shockie MacLennan was also unavailable. This was the fourth time this season the sides had met with Kingussie winning all three previous encounters. James Falconer gave the Kings the lead on 25 minutes and Liam Borthwick added a second 3 minutes from the break. Kingussie made changes in the second half, taking off Roddy Young, James Falconer and Ruaridh Anderson and Alexander Michie added a third in the final minute.
Glenurquhart 3 Aberdeen University 4 Aberdeen University eventually edged out the Glenurquhart second team 4-3 in their noon throw up at Blairbeg. Glenurquhart fielded Paul MacKintosh, Jed Stoddart and Chris Mack who would all be first team substitutes later in the afternoon The Aberdeen side were without the suspended Alex Duncan. Jamie Beaton was also missing and, with Rowan Myers a late call-off, the Students played the whole game with just eleven players. Former keeper Terry Stebbings started in the Aberdeen attack and he was left limping after an early challenge. Jed Stoddart put the Glen ahead on 22 minutes when he sent a powerful 20 yard shot from a central position high into the net at the shop end of the ground. Gregor Cushnie equalised just 3 minutes later, punishing a mix-up in the home defence. Aberdeen claimed a 2-1 interval lead when Gregor Cushnie gathered a poor clearance out of the Glen defence and his drive from a wide position flew across the keeper and into the net. Glenurquhart restored parity on 51 minutes when Chris Mack sent a strike past keeper Scott Moffat. Gregor Cushnie completed his hat-trick on 73 minutes. The ball looked to be going out of play but Cushnie got on the end of a well-measured cut-back and he controlled the ball at the edge of the D before shooting past Garry MacKintosh in the Glen goal. Ewan Fraser sealed the win on 84 minutes when he went on a long run before tapping the ball into an unguarded net. Chris Mack got his second on 85 minutes. Scott Moffat saved an initial shot and the ball rose up in the air. Mack was on hand to hit the dropping ball into the net to make it 4-3. The Glen pushed for a leveller and they were awarded a late penalty when referee Steven MacLachlan penalised full back David Fraser. However Jed Stoddart’s spot-hit was saved with his hand by keeper Scott Moffat. There was a good battle between Glen full back and Aberdeen full forward Gregor Cushnie.
Kinlochshiel P Beauly P A Friday morning pitch inspection put paid to the noon throw up between the Kinlochshiel and Beauly second teams at Kirkton.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Ballachulish P Kilmory P The noon throw up between Ballachulish and Kilmory at The Jubilee Park was a late call-off.
Lochside Rovers P Taynuilt P Lochside Rovers missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the division as their noon meeting with Taynuilt was postponed as Ganavan was waterlogged.
Bute P Glenorchy P The 3pm throw up between Bute and Glenorchy was postponed on Friday afternoon as The Meadows was unplayable. The Bute seconds home fixture was called off earlier in the day.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Caberfeidh 2 Kilmallie 3 The match between the Kilmallie seconds and the Caberfeidh seconds was reversed to Castle Leod as The Canal Parks was deemed unplayable on Friday. Paddy Wilson gave Caberfeidh an early lead in this noon throw up, scoring after just 19 minutes. Aaron Sandison levelled on the half hour mark and it remained 1-1 until the break. A Garry MacKay own goal a minute into the second half put Cabers back in front. However Kilmallie took the points courtesy of Liam MacDonald goals on 65 and 70 minutes. Cabers’ Declan Wilson was sent off by referee Iain Kennedy. Caberfeidh are now just two points behind second placed Lochaber reserves.
Lewis Camanachd 2 Strathglass 3 A first half Penri Jones hat-trick gave the Strathglass second team a 3-2 win over Lewis Camanachd at Shawbost. Graham Cay in the Lewis goal was called into action before Penri Jones sent the ball into the top corner of the net following a corner to give the visitors a 5 minute lead. Penri Jones got his second goal on 38 minutes with the effort coming again from a corner. Penri Jones completed his hat-trick just a couple of minutes from the break and Lewis looked a beaten team. However David Cleary pulled a goal back on 59 minutes and although Douglas Shaw made it 3-2 on 87 minutes, Strathglass stayed in front for the win
Lochaber P Boleskine P The clash between the Lochaber reserves and Boleskine was postponed as the Spean Bridge pitch was unplayable.
Glengarry P Lovat P The meeting between Glengarry and the Lovat second team was postponed on Saturday morning as Craigard was unplayable.
Lochcarron P Strathspey Camanachd P Lochcarron’s Battery Park pitch failed a Saturday morning pitch inspection. Reversing the fixture wasn’t an option so the game against Strathspey Camanachd was called off.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Bute P Dunoon Camanachd P The noon throw up between the Bute second team and Dunoon Camanachd was postponed on Friday morning as it was ruled at that time that The Meadows was unable to take two matches.
(All throw ups were 2pm unless the match report states differently)
WCA Round Up There were some Womens Camanachd Association regional division fixtures on Sunday 20 August 2017.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Inverness 0 Lochaber 9 The Lochaber seconds beat Inverness 9-0 in their 1pm throw up at The Bught Park. Natalie MacDonald scored five times, Rebecca MacLean grabbed a hat-trick and Shanna Michie got the other.
Strathspey 4 Glen Urquhart 2 Jade Longworth scored twice for the hosts with Lucy Davies and Jane Moodie also on target whilst Ishbel Barr and Hazel Hunter replied for the Glen.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Oban Lorn 0 Cowal & Bute 6 Cowal & Bute beat Oban Lorn 6-0. Fay Robertson grabbed a hat-trick, Heather Ferguson scored twice and Zuzka Macova got the other.
Glasgow Mid Argyll P Ardnamurchan P The match between the Glasgow Mid Argyll seconds and champions Ardnamurchan at Yoker was postponed.
Lorn P Dunadd P The game between Lorn and Dunadd was postponed. |