The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 20 April 2019 | |
21 April 2019 Oban Camanachd came out on top in the Oban Derby and Glasgow Mid Argyll, Kyles Athletic, Glenurquhart, Kingussie and Strathglass also made cup progress following the shinty action on Saturday 20 April 2019.
Scottish Sea Farms Glasgow Celtic Society Cup – Quarter Finals Oban Celtic 0 Oban Camanachd 7 Scottish Sea Farms Glasgow Celtic Society Cup holders Oban Camanachd notched a convincing 7-0 win against neighbours Oban Celtic in their last-eight tie at Ganavan. Both teams had suspensions to contend with as Oban Celtic’s Ross MacMillan and Gary McKerracher from Oban Camanachd starting bans. MacMillan misses three matches whilst McKerracher is out for two. Oban Celtic received a pre-match boost when Neil Carmichael declared himself fit enough to play at centre whilst youngster Jamie Forgrieve also returned from injury and he took up a place on the bench. Rory Bruce was unavailable but Craig MacMillan returned following suspension and he played for the 90 minutes. Daniel Madej was back in the Oban Camanachd starting line-up whilst Malcolm Clark started in defence. Willie Neilson, Craig MacDougall and David Lafferty made up a strong bench but Aidan MacIntyre and Scott MacKillop were both still missing. The early period was fairly even but Daniel MacVicar’s 13 minute goal seemed to rock a nervous Oban Celtic and it set the tone for the first 45 minutes. MacVicar’s opener was a great strike on the half volley and it came out of nothing. Daniel Cameron thumped the ball high into the net to make it 2-0 on 15 minutes and he got his second and Oban Camanachd’s third a couple of minutes later as he bundled the ball over the line following a melee inside the D. Andrew MacCuish then added a brace on 22 and 26 minutes. His first came following a Scott MacMillan hit-in from the left and MacCuish got onto Daniel MacVicar’s flick and he turned the ball home at the second attempt from a tight angle on the left. MacCuish then gathered a long ball forward, turning the full back to score from the right of the D. Daniel MacVicar got his second with another superb finish on 30 minutes to make it 6-0. David Hill’s eye injury forced an Oban Celtic reshuffle with Ally McKerracher dropping back into defence where he helped steady things up. As the match moved into first-time injury-time, Andrew MacCuish completed his hat-trick when he took a clever Daniel MacCuish pass to score from the edge of the D. Oban Celtic came more into it in the second half and they will take heart from how they competed during the second 45 minutes. Oban Camanachd took the chance to make changes and give their three substitutes some game time. The match was played in a good spirit and Oban Camanachd will now host Inveraray or Taynuilt, who are due to meet this coming Saturday, in next month’s semi-finals.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 5 Ballachulish 2 Glasgow Mid Argyll sealed a place in the semi-finals after beating Ballachulish 5-2 at Yoker. GMA had the chance to take the lead on 20 minutes when referee David Mitchell awarded them a penalty and Craig Anderson scored from the spot. Garry Luke made it 2-0 on 32 minutes and it stayed that way until the break. Brian Slattery added a third on 61 minutes whilst Oliver MacRae made it 4-0 on 73 minutes. Balla, who had Alistair Banks free of suspension, fought back and Allan Clark scored on 75 and 82 minutes to make it 4-2. GMA’s Ian Luke rounded off the 5-2 win just a couple of minutes from time.
Bute 0 Kyles Athletic 3 Kyles Athletic maintained their perfect start to the season as they defeated Bute 3-0 in their 3pm throw up at the Meadows. Colin MacDonald broke the deadlock on 35 minutes and it remained 1-0 until the turnaround. Colin MacDonald got his and Kyles second on 65 minutes whilst Ross MacRae made it 3-0 just a couple of minutes later. Kyles now travel to face Glasgow Mid Argyll in the last four of this all-south competition.
Cottages.com MacTavish Cup – Quarter-finals Kingussie 3 Lovat 1 Roddy Young’s early double helped Kingussie maintain their unbeaten record this season as they beat Lovat 3-1 at the Dell. The game came too soon for Kingussie keeper Craig Dawson so Rory MacGregor continued to deputise. Lovat’s Lorne MacKay began a two-match suspension for passing through the disciplinary points threshold so Calum MacAulay came into the side. Lovat started with a slight wind advantage but it was Kingussie who took the lead on 13 minutes. As James Falconer battled for possession on the Kingussie right, the ball broke for Roddy Young and he needed no second invitation as he crashed a rising shot past unsighted Lovat goalie Stuart MacDonald; beating the keeper on his right side. It only took Roddy Young another couple of minutes to add his and the Kings second goal. This time the Lovat defence failed to deal with Kieran MacPherson’s deep hit-in from the right. Roddy Young tried to make for goal but the ball broke to Savio Genini on the left and he cut the ball across goal where Young confidently placed it into the net to make it 2-0. Marc MacLachlan pulled a goal back on 23 minutes. A Calum MacAulay corner from the left was knocked down by Fraser Heath and MacLachlan got by Robert Mabon and burst into the D where he appeared to be brought down by Alexander Michie but he still managed to force the ball over the line. Kingussie claimed referee Iain Kennedy had blown for a penalty before the ball was knocked over the line but he waved away their pleas. Lovat suffered a blow on the half-hour when Marc MacLachlan was forced off after twisting his ankle. Graeme MacMillan came on as a direct replacement. The Kings were dominant in second half but Lovat threatened on the hour when Graeme MacMillan fired a powerful shot which was well saved above his head by Rory MacGregor. However Kingussie looked the likelier to score with Lovat running out of ideas. The outcome remained in the balance until 94 minutes. A free-hit on the right from substitute Lee Bain, who’d come on for James Falconer, was cleared by Danny Kelly but only as far as James Hutchison who chipped the ball into the danger area. Fraser Munro found Roddy Young who was too quick for Martin Mainland’s attempted block. Young’s shot was saved with his feet by Stuart MacDonald but, as the ball rose into the air, Lee Bain rose ahead of the Lovat defence to knock the rebound home. This was a very good Kingussie team performance with Calum Grant and Rory MacKeachan determined at the back and two-goal Roddy Young making the difference up front. Daniel Grieve was best for Lovat who have an immediate chance for revenge as the sides meet again at the Dell this coming Saturday; this time in the league.
Glenurquhart 2 Skye Camanachd 1 Glenurquhart recovered from the loss of an early goal to beat Skye Camanachd 2-1 at Blairbeg. Glenurquhart’s Calum Smith had a hamstring injury but was also working off-shore. However James MacPherson returned and he started on the bench. Skye started James Pringle in place of Iain MacLellan who dropped onto the bench. Skye looked dangerous from the throw up and they took the lead on 5 minutes when a John Gillies found Jordan Murchison who took a touch before flicking the ball up and smashing home an unstoppable volley. The Glen immediately made changes in defence with wing centre Cameron MacKintosh dropping back to mark danger-man Murchison and this seemed to settle the hosts. Glenurquhart went on the offensive and Ewan Brady rattled the crossbar and it took an incredible save from Skye goalie Ryan Morrison kept the Islanders ahead. The Glen suffered a blow when Michael Brady limped off with what looked like a hamstring problem. Neale Reid was causing Skye problems and he equalised when he got onto a Connor Golabek pass on 25 minutes before smashing the ball high into the net. Glenurquhart dominated the last 20 minutes of the half with Skye’s defence dealing with almost everything and, when they didn’t, Ryan Morrison was there to produce another couple of really good saves. Skye created a chance right at the half-time whistle, when, from a tight angle, James Pringle hit the side-netting with a good strike. Skye started the second half brightly, moving the ball around nicely but they lost Ross Gordon who had to come off after twisting his knee. He was replaced by Iain MacLellan. Stuart MacKintosh was now the busier of the two keepers, making some excellent saves from Jordon Murchison, Will Cowie and especially a John Gilles effort which required a gravity-defying stop. There was a touch of controversy surrounding the winning goal on 51 minutes. With full back Jamie Gilles approaching the ball to clear, the Skye camp felt he was pushed in the back and, as he fell, Oliver Black found Connor Golabek who slipped the ball home. Referee Martin MacLean awarded the goal, much to Skye’s disappointment. Skye introduced Stewart Grant in place of William MacKinnon and wing centre and Grant offered more creativity and almost scored from distance with a dipping shot which Stuart MacKintosh did well to judge. With John Gillies and Will Cowie dictating, Skye dominated the closing stages but Glenurquhart were dangerous on the break and Neale Reid had an opportunity to make it 3-1 but he blazed the ball over the bar. Stuart MacKintosh then made a fantastic reaction save from Will Cowie right at the death. Glenurquhart saw out the remaining minutes in what was a very good, end-to-end game with both keepers – Glen’s Stuart MacKintosh and Skye’s Ryan Morrison – impressing the supporters. The match was billed as a shoot-out between two exciting forward lines but it was perhaps how the respective defensive units adjusted that made the difference. The win was bitter-sweet for the Blairbeg whilst as well as losing Michael Brady, Ally MacKintosh also came off with a hamstring injury whilst Lachie Smith’s booking looks set to trigger a suspension.
Beauly 2 Strathglass 3 The second all-National Division quarter-final between Beauly and Strathglass was played at Braeview Park. This was a game of two halves. Jack MacDonald pounced on some slack defending to give Beauly the lead in the opening minute. However the visitors went on to score three times before the break. Scott Douglas pulled the ball back to the penalty spot on 8 minutes and his shot went in off diving Beauly keeper Josh Grant. Referee Andy MacLean awarded Strathglass a penalty on the half-hour, penalising keeper Grant for fouling one of the Strath forwards. Scott Douglas scored from the spot. Ruari Strachan made it 3-1 on 39 minutes and it was to prove to be an important goal. Beauly manager Alan MacRae made changes at the break and his side went on to have the better of the second half. However all they had to show for their efforts was a second Jack MacDonald goal on 71 minutes. Strathglass held out and they go into the cottages.com MacTavish Cup semi-final draw which takes place at the Bught Park, Inverness on Thursday 2 May 2019.
Mowi Premiership Lochaber 1 Newtonmore 6 Newtonmore go third in the Mowi Premiership after beating Lochaber 6-1 at Spean Bridge. Lochaber’s Shaun Nicolson missed out with an ankle injury and boss Michael Delaney had Martin Johnstone amongst his substitutes. ‘More’s Ewan Fraser faces a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury but manager Paul John MacKintosh was able to name an unchanged side. Newtonmore made a strong start and Michael Russell went on a run after 4 minutes before cracking a shot off the crossbar. Jamie Robinson then found Glen MacKintosh on the left but his strike went wide of keeper Callum MacDonald’s left post. However Newtonmore did find the net on 12 minutes. Steven Macdonald played a free-hit forward from the centre line to Glen MacKintosh on the left. MacKintosh struck a first time ball across the goal and Iain Robinson, who had made a diagonal run, hit the ball past the helpless Callum MacDonald in the home goal. Newtonmore laid onslaught on the Lochaber goal and Glen MacKintosh fired wide on 17 minutes whilst the lively Iain Robinson shot over just 5 minutes later. Michael Russell, whose pace and all-round ball control was causing the Lochaber defence all sorts of problems, crossed a good ball to Evan Menzies and his well-struck shot was equally well-saved by Callum MacDonald. Glen MacKintosh and Evan Menzies combined to great effect on 34 minutes and MacKintosh’s rasping shot was turned away by keeper MacDonald for a corner. Newtonmore eventually doubled their lead on 41 minutes. A good ball forward from Fraser MacKintosh found Glen MacKintosh at the penalty spot and his low shot was saved with his feet by Callum MacDonald but the ever-alert Iain Robinson was on hand to knock the rebound into the net to notch his second goal of the game. Newtonmore keeper Kenny Ross had little to do during the first 45 minutes and the visitors could and should have been more than 2-0 ahead at the break. The pattern of play remained the same in the second half and Iain Robinson completed his hat-trick on 58 minutes when he won the ball before running at the defence, weaving around a few players before slotting the ball past the keeper at his left post. Newtonmore continued to move the ball around the forward line, teasing the Lochaber defence with some interlinking passing, but seemed reluctant to have more direct shots at goal. Evan Menzies, who passed up a couple of chances earlier in the match, got his goal on 69 minutes when Glen MacKintosh played an inch-perfect pass on the right and Menzies fired low into the corner of the net, beating the keeper on his left side. Glen MacKintosh added a fifth on 74 minutes when he found space around the penalty area. MacKintosh scuffed his shot but the ball deceived the keeper and bobbled into the goals to make it 5-0. Lochaber should have pulled a goal back when Stuart Callison played a precision pass into the D where Conor Sweeney only had to touch the ball into the net but he was unable to get a touch. Newtonmore made a double substitution as Evan Menzies and Glen MacKintosh were replaced by David MacLean and Drew MacDonald. David MacLean almost scored with his first involvement when he won possession on the right and he peeled away from his marker but his shot went wide of the keeper’s right post. When the impressive Michael Russell won the ball on the right on 79 minutes, he ran along the by-line, taking on the defence before being brought down by the keeper and referee John Angus Gillies awarded a penalty. Russell picked himself up before despatching a power-penalty into the roof of the net. Lochaber made a positional switch with Stuart Callison going to buckshee forward and Ben Delaney coming back to the centre line. There was some consolation for the hosts 4 minutes from time when Conor Sweeney won the ball on the left and crossed for the onrushing Stuart Callison who hit the ball first-time past Kenny Ross to make the final score 6-1. Keeper Callum MacDonald did well for Lochaber whilst defender Duncan MacKinnon did all he could in an attempt to tame the ‘More forwards. ‘More were strong in defence with Rory Kennedy and Iain Richardson marking closely and hitting cleanly. Their experienced midfield provided plenty ball for the forwards and in Iain Robinson and Michael Russell; they had the game’s two exceptional players.
Kinlochshiel 1 Kilmallie 0 Kinlochshiel go fifth in the division after edging out Kilmallie 1-0 at Kirkton. Finlay MacRae was still out for the hosts but John MacRae’s hamstring problem isn’t as bad as first feared and he was able to take a place on the bench. Duncan “WD” MacRae was unavailable but Jordan Fraser returned and Scott MacLean started for the first time this season. Kilmallie boss John Stewart welcomed Stephen McAlister back into the defence whilst fellow-defender Steven Stewart passed a late fitness test. The first half finished goalless but Kilmallie came closest to breaking the deadlock with Innes Blackhall thumping a great shot off home keeper Stuart MacRae’s left post whilst MacRae then did well to stretch low to his left to turn away a Liam MacDonald shot. ‘Shiel introduced John MacRae in place of Scott MacLean at the break. It was a calculated risk given MacRae’s hamstring problem but the gamble paid dividends when the Scotland forward put the hosts ahead on 53 minutes. MacRae collected a Duncan Matheson ball on the right and a drop of the shoulder got him away from Stephen McAlister and he blasted a fierce shot across Shane Gillies in the Kilmallie goal. Worse was to follow for Kilmallie when, on 59 minutes, Martin Stewart was sent off by referee Calum Girvan for chopping down Keith MacRae as he burst forward. Keith MacRae was able to continue after treatment. ‘Shiel took John MacRae back off on 65 minutes but his contribution had been telling. Stuart MacRae again saved well from Liam MacDonald as Kilmallie applied pressure late in the game. The visitors, who pushed Michael Rodger from defence into attack with Craig MacIsaac going in the opposite direction, claimed for a penalty when a Liam Cameron shot appeared to deflect off Paul MacRae’s arm but the visitors had to settle for a corner after referee Girvan consulted with the goal judge.
Mowi North Division 1 Lovat 3 Glenurquhart 3 League leaders Lovat seconds drew 3-3 with neighbours Glenurquhart seconds at Balgate. This was a game of two hat-tricks and David MacLennan gave the Glen a 12 minute advantage. Raymond Rennie equalised on 18 minutes and he then put the hosts ahead on 25 minutes. A second from David MacLennan made it 2-2 on 35 minutes and that’s the way it stayed until 68 minutes when Glen’s David MacLennan completed his hat-trick to put his side back in front. However Raymond Rennie had the final say as he made it 3-3 just a couple of minutes later and that’s the way it remained.
Newtonmore 5 Skye Camanachd 0 The Newtonmore second team were too strong for the Skye Camanachd second team; winning 5-0 in their noon throw up at the Eilan. Connor Jones gave ‘More the lead on 9 minutes and Craig MacLeod added a second on 16 minutes. Duncan Gorman scored on 25 minutes so the hosts took a 3-0 cushion into the interval. Ritchie Irvine added a double on 50 and 64 minutes to make the final score 5-0.
Fort William 3 Kingussie 0 The Fort William colts beat the Kingussie colts 3-0 at An Aird. David Wright was suspended for the hosts but they still went in front on 13 minutes through Greig Kelly. Victor Smith doubled Fort’s advantage on 31 minutes and they led 2-0 at the break. Victor Smith bagged a second for the second successive Saturday when he netted 5 minutes from time. Fort William’s Duncan Stevenson was sent off by referee Callum Duff.
Glengarry 2 Inverness 1 Glengarry recorded a good 2-1 victory over Inverness at Craigard. Steven Cameron gave ‘Garry the lead on 13 minutes and Nick Dalgety added a second on 33 minutes. David Campbell halved the hosts advantage a couple of minutes later but there was no further scoring. ‘Garry’s Rhuairaidh MacDonald was sent off by referee Alex MacVicar
Aberdeen University 0 Caberfeidh 4 The Caberfeidh colts were 4-0 winners against Aberdeen University in their noon throw up at Balgownie. Stuart Krzyzanowski scored the only goal of the first half on 11 minutes. Three goals in the final quarter sealed the win. Colin MacLennan doubled Caberfeidh’s advantage on 66 minutes whilst Ruaraidh MacLeman made 3-0 on 68 minutes. Kyle Grant rounded off the 4-0 win with a goal a couple of minutes from time.
Mowi South Division 1 Lochside Rovers 5 Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 Lochside Rovers scored four times in the first half as they defeated the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team 5-1 at Mossfield. Throw up was brought forward to 1pm to allow the players to attend the Oban derby afterwards. Lennon Campbell opened the scoring on 5 minutes with shot from the edge of the box. The goal was followed up on 10 minutes with a good strike from Craig MacDougall who is working his way back to fitness after a knee injury. Craig MacDougall scored again on 23 minutes, this time following a scramble in the box. Lewis Buchanan's strike on 34 minutes had a touch of fortune about it. The effort looked to be going wide when the GMA keeper stopped the ball high in the air but it spun off his stick landed behind him and the backspin took the ball over the line. GMA pulled a goal back a couple of minutes after the break when a lapse of concentration in the Lochside defence allowed Graham Love to pounce on a loose ball, leaving him one-on-one with keeper Brian MacCallum and Love slipped the ball into the net. However young Jamie MacGillvray rounded off a good Lochside win with a strike on 83 minutes.
Col Glen 3 Taynuilt 0 Col Glen were 3-0 winners against Taynuilt at Glendaruel. Ian Wilson was suspended for the hosts. Scott MacVicar opened the scoring on 10 minutes and Sandy Paterson doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark. Donald MacDiarmid made it 3-0 just 15 minutes from time.
Mowi North Division 2 Strathglass 0 Kilmallie 4 The Kilmallie seconds turned in a good performance to beat the Strathglass seconds 4-0 at Cannich. Cam Ross on 3 minutes and Andrew Gibb just 60 seconds later gave Kilmallie an early two-goal lead. Andrew Gibb got his second on 24 minutes to make it 3-0 at the break. Andrew Gibb went on to complete his hat-trick on 76 minutes.
Lochcarron 4 Beauly 2 Lochcarron saw off a fight-back from the Beauly second team to win 4-2 at Battery Park. Peter MacKenzie on 8 minutes and Crisdean MacKenzie a couple of minutes later got Lochcarron off to a great start. When Gregor Cushnie hit a quick-fire double on 26 and 27 minutes to make it 4-0, the hosts looked good for the points. David Campbell pulled a goal back on 35 minutes to make it 4-1 at the break and, although Kyle MacDonald made it 4-2 just 7 minutes into the second half, Lochcarron stayed in front to take both points.
Inverness 1 Strathspey Camanachd 5 Strathspey Camanachd came from a goal down to beat the Inverness reserves 5-1 at the Bught Park. Strathspey started well but a Paul O’Parka goal on 9 minutes shocked the visitors, giving Inverness a 1-0 lead. Struan Ross levelled on 21 minutes and the sides went into the break on level terms. Struan Ross put Strathspey in front 10 minutes into the second half and John MacKenzie added a third just 3 minutes later. Struan Ross completed his hat-trick on 61 minutes and John MacKenzie got his second 10 minutes from time to make it 5-1.
Mowi South Division 2 Aberdour 5 Ardnamurchan 1 The Aberdour seconds beat Ardnamurchan 5-1 at Silversands. With some second team regulars unavailable due to the Easter holidays, Aberdour included first team youngsters David McDougal and Iain Fullerton Aberdour player / manager Roddy MacColl gave his side a 16 minute lead, turning the ball home following a surging David McDougal run down the left wing. The hosts had to wait until a minute before the break for Mack Mckean to add a second with the excellent McDougall again involved in the build-up. Roddy MacColl got his second on 53 minutes but Herbie Patterson pulled a goal back just 4 minutes later with a good finish. Tom Bowerman had come close on a couple of occasions before he made it 4-1 with 20 minutes remaining and Roddy MacColl completed his hat-trick on 72 minutes after some strong and determined play from Harry Simpkins.
Bute P Oban Celtic P The Bute second team and the Oban Celtic second team both agreed to reschedule their match at the Meadows.
(All throw ups are at 2.30pm unless the match report states differently)
WCA Round Up There were no Women’s Camanachd Association fixtures but a number of the game’s promising players attended a Development / Training Day at Lochaber High School. This was the first such event of the 2019 season and was open to players aged 12+ years. A skills development session took place before workshops on warm ups, injury prevention and basic strength and conditioning followed by games. |