Kyles Athletic and Newtonmore will meet in the Artemis Macaulay Cup Final and Strachur are through to face the Inveraray seconds in the Bullough Cup Final following the shinty action on Saturday 22 July 2017.
Artemis Macaulay Cup – Semi-Finals
Oban Camanachd 0 Kyles Athletic 2
Colin MacDonald scored twice early in the game to give Kyles Athletic a 2-0 win over Oban Camanachd at Mossfield
Oban Camanachd’s Daniel Cameron returned from suspension whilst Andrew MacCuish was also back and he played in defence. However Garry Lord started a two-match ban for passing through the disciplinary points threshold.
Kyles Athletic continued without the injured Innes MacDonald and Cammy Keith whilst Grant Irvine returned and Roddy MacDonald remained in defence where he marked Matt Rippon.
Kyles took the initiative when Colin MacDonald put them ahead after just 3 minutes.
Colin MacDonald then got his and Kyles’ second on 23 minutes and the Tighnabruaich men could have been further ahead by the break had it not been for a fine display of Gavin Stobbart goalkeeping.
Oban Camanachd had the majority of the second half but the closest they came to a goal was a Lorne Dickie shot from distance which came off the inside of the post.
Oban Camanachd’s Daniel MacVicar suffered a shoulder injury which later led to his withdrawal from the Scotland U17 squad for the Shinty / Hurling Ireland tour.
Oban Camanachd do not have a fixture this coming Saturday so they can watch their reserve side Lochside Rovers in the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup Final against the Kingussie seconds at An Aird.
Lovat 0 Newtonmore 3
Three extra-time goals got Newtonmore past Lovat in their semi-final tie at Braeview Park.
Craig Mainland was given a start in a full strength Lovat side. Manager Fraser Gallacher was on holiday so his assistant Martin Bell looked after the squad.
The Newtonmore team news was more interesting as David MacLean joined Paul MacArthur and Drew MacDonald on the injury list. Evan Menzies missed out through suspension following his sending off against Kyles Athletic a week earlier and Glen MacKintosh’s calf problem meant he was only able to take up a place on the bench. Jamie Robinson started in attack with Iain Richardson keeping his place in midfield.
The Newtonmore defence was on their game from the start, limiting Lovat to few chances.
There wasn’t a lot of goal-mouth action during the first half although Lovat keeper Stuart MacDonald was forced to throw himself to his right, using his caman to make a spectacular save from a 20 yard strike from an unmarked Fraser MacKintosh.
Lovat replaced Ryan Ferguson, who’d been playing well, with Martin Mainland before the hour although Ferguson did come back on in attack for Calum Macaulay later in the tie.
Glen MacKintosh came off the ‘More bench for the final third of the 90 minutes.
The tie got tousy at times with ‘More dominating the closing stages but, with no scoring, referee Archie Ritchie took the tie into extra-time.
Greg Matheson almost caught out ‘More keeper Norman Campbell with a shot from the right but the ball went just outside the post.
The break-through came on 98 minutes when Chris Sellar sent a ball from well out into the goal area. With Jamie Robinson and Iain Robinson running in to challenge, Jamie Robinson stretched to get the slightest touch and the ball rolled into the net.
Lovat lost wing centre Scott MacKenzie on 104 with a nasty arm injury which required a trip to hospital and which was to later rule him out of the Scotland U17 trip to Ireland the following day.
From the restart, Stuart MacDonald used his hand to palm away an Iain Robinson shot from the right but Jamie Robinson volleyed home the rebound for his second goal of the game. Robinson’s effort made it 2-0, just seconds from the end of the first half of extra-time.
Michael Russell ended any lingering Lovat hopes when he won the ball in the middle of the park before making a surging run forward and his 20 yard shot flew low into the net to make it 3-0.
Newtonmore’s Steven MacDonald, who followed Lovat danger-man Greg Matheson throughout, was named the sponsors man of the match although Michael Russell’s performance at full centre must have run him close.
The 2017 Artemis Macaulay Cup Final between Kyles Athletic and Newtonmore takes place at Mossfield on Saturday 19 August 2017
Bullough Cup - Semi Final
Kyles Athletic 2 Strachur 3 (After extra-time)
The Bullough Cup semi-final tie between the Kyles Athletic seconds and Strachur was carried forward from the previous week when it was postponed because the Tighnabruaich pitch was unplayable.
After two hours of shinty, the tie produced the most dramatic finish before Strachur won a final spot.
Roberto Zavaroni gave Kyles a 30 minute lead only for Angus Campbell to level on the hour mark.
With no further scoring, referee Des McNulty took the tie into an extra-time period.
When George Thomson put Kyles back in front from the penalty spot after 95 minutes, Strachur had it all to do.
And Kyles stayed in front until a couple of minutes from time when an Ally Mirlees goal seemed likely to take the tie to a penalty shoot-out.
However, with just seconds remaining, Ally Mirlees got his second and Strachur will now play the Inveraray seconds in the Bullough Cup Final with the venue yet to be decided.
Marine Harvest Premiership
Kilmallie 0 Kinlochshiel 3
With Kyles Athletic in cup action, Kinlochshiel edged a point clear at the top of the Marine Harvest Premiership after they beat Kilmallie 3-0 at The Canal Parks.
Kilmallie’s Peter Carmichael was unavailable and he will miss this coming week’s visit from champions Newtonmore through suspension. Stephen McAlister suffered an injury in training whilst Steven Stewart was out with a knee problem.
‘Shiel’s Colin MacDiarmid served the fourth match of a five game suspension and Oliver MacRae and Gordie MacDonald remained on the injury list. Ally Nixon returned to the squad.
Scott MacLean put ‘Shiel ahead after 39 minutes with what was the only goal of the first half.
Duncan “DA” MacRae made it 2-0 on 53 minutes and when referee Robert Baxter awarded the visitors a penalty on 62 minutes; Keith MacRae stepped up to score.
Kyles drop to third; two points behind ‘Shiel but they have a game in hand with the sides due to meet in what should be a fascinating clash at Kirkton this coming Saturday.
Kingussie 3 Glasgow Mid Argyll 0
Kingussie broke Glasgow Mid Argyll’s resistance in the second half to win 3-0 at The Dell.
Kingussie called John Gibson up from the second team whilst GMA full back Ryan Harrison returned but Duncan “Ach” MacRae was still out.
After a goalless first half, Ruaridh Anderson fired Kingussie ahead just 3 minutes after the restart.
Ruaridh Anderson got his and Kingussie’s second on 52 minutes Lee Bain sealed the win when he scored just 9 minutes from time.
Lochaber 3 Glenurquhart 1
Lochaber climbed out of the relegation zone following their 3-1 victory over Glenurquhart at Spean Bridge.
The Glen’s Ally MacKintosh was banned for a bookings points accumulation.
Shaun Nicolson gave Lochaber the lead with the only goal of the first half after 22 minutes.
James MacPherson equalised on 62 minutes but the visitors only stayed on level for 60 seconds as Stuart Callison fired Lochaber back in front.
Ryan Johnstone sealed the win 7 minutes from time to leave Lochaber two points ahead of both Glasgow Mid Argyll and Kilmallie although the Spean Bridge side have played more games.
Glenurquhart are now only a point better off than Lochaber with the same number of games played.
Marine Harvest National Division
Caberfeidh 1 Fort William 0
Caberfeidh and Fort William met for the second successive Saturday; this time in the league at Castle Leod.
Fort William won the Balliemore Cup Final encounter but Caberfeidh took the points in this one; winning 1-0.
Caberfeidh’s Ryan MacKay served the final game of his ban but Ryan Simonds returned at full back.
Fort William’s Bryan Simpson remained injured but Alexander MacMillan made a substitute appearance. Mark Grant and Bobby MacMillan were missing. Mark Grant and Graham Campbell were both booked in the Balliemore Cup Final meaning they will both miss the Fort’s next match.
The game’s defining moment came after just 3 minutes. A Caberfeidh shy was played up the right and Craig Morrison, who grabbed a hat-trick in the previous week’s cup defeat, crashed an 18 yard shot into the roof of the net.
Both keepers made good saves and there was no further scoring.
Fort William will be concerned about a knee injury suffered by Seamus Gall.
The win keeps Caberfeidh a point clear at the top of the table ahead of a tricky trip to Ganavan to play Oban Celtic this coming Saturday.
Inveraray 0 Skye Camanachd 4
Skye Camanachd returned from The Winterton with two impressive points following a 4-0 win over Inveraray.
Inveraray forward Allan MacDonald started a two-game suspension for passing through the disciplinary points threshold whilst Ally MacDonald was also missing.
Skye defender Ally MacDonald missed his first match in four years as he attended a wedding. Gilleasbuig MacDonald and Calum Gibb were unavailable and Kenny MacLeod returned to look after the Skye seconds. John Gillies was on holiday and Steven Morrison’s season looks to be over through injury. There were places for Daniel Morrison and Scotland U17 player Connor Gilpin who made his first start for the senior side in defence.
James Pringle reacted first to give Skye a 14 minute lead when he slammed a rebound low into the bottom left corner of the net after Inveraray keeper Scott MacLachlan had saved from Will Cowie.
Iain Nicolson made it 2-0 a minute later when he struck the ball from fully 35 yards out, wide on the right touchline, and it went into the net off the post.
A lovely Jordan Murchison pass set up Danny Morrison on 64 minutes and Morrison netted with a low drive from 15 yards out,
Jordan Murchison got in on the act on 67 minutes when a clever flick from Will Cowie played him in and he sent a waist-high rocket-shot past the on-rushing keeper.
It was a good Skye team performance and they remain a point behind leaders Caberfeidh but with a game in hand.
Strathglass 1 Oban Celtic 2
Oban Celtic came from a goal down to beat Strathglass 2-1 in their 3pm throw up at Cannich.
Lewis Douglas was free of suspension for the hosts but defender George Phimister began a two-game suspension after he was sent off against Beauly the previous week. Michael Stokes and Darren Reid both returned to the starting line-up.
Oban travelled without goalkeeper Stephen Davidson, Rory Bruce, Connor Howe, Michael MacKinnon and Iain MacKechnie. However, David MacInnes and Andy MacDonald were both back.
Strathglass put Celtic under pressure from the off and visitor's game plan was thrown out the window inside the first 10 minutes when they lost winger Andy Hunt to injury – it was later revealed that he had suffered two broken ribs.
A further blow followed on 16 mins when Strathglass took the lead through Josh Fraser.
Gradually the Oban Celtic centre line of Ally McKerracher, Robert Alexander and substitute George MacMillian started to pull the strings.
Celtic created chances and got their reward when Ross MacMillan's shot on the turn gave home keeper Ally MacAdams no chance to make it 1-1 with 22 minutes on the clock.
Celtic appealed for a penalty on 33 minutes, claiming a home defender had kicked the ball inside the D.
However the Oban side took the lead on 38 minutes when George MacMillan and Daniel MacMillan combined down the left to give Daniel Madej a chance and he fired the ball low into the net to make it 2-1 at the break.
Both teams went for it from the start of the second half. The Celtic defence of Andy MacDonald, Fulton Ronald, Lewis MacPhee and David MacInnes stood strong and stand-in keeper Jack Hill was there to mop up when called upon.
As Celtic pushed for the third goal, Strathglass keeper Ally MacAdams made several good stops with his body, stick and feet.
In the end, Oban Celtic took the points and they now find themselves just a couple of points off third spot in a very competitive National Division.
Marine Harvest North Division 1
Newtonmore 4 Skye Camanachd 1
League leaders Newtonmore reserves beat third placed Skye Camanachd reserves 4-1 at The Eilan.
Newtonmore’s Cameron Binnie served a one game ban following his sending off in the previous week’s Strathdearn Cup semi-final win over Glengarry. Cameron McNiven grabbed a hat-trick in that game but collected a booking which meant although he was free to play this weekend; he will miss this coming weekend’s home league match with the Beauly seconds through suspension.
Newtonmore were able to include Danny Macrae following a failed comeback attempt earlier in the season.
Contrastingly, Skye lost out to Kingussie in the other Strathdearn Cup semi-final a week earlier and player / manager Kenny MacLeod made three changes to his squad as Connor Gilpin and Daniel Morrison were with the first team whilst DJ Gilpin was unavailable so Ian MacPherson and Stewart Taylor were called up.
A Danny Macrae goal on 13 minutes put the hosts ahead and Macrae made it 2-0 on 38 minutes.
Ross Gordon pulled a goal back just 3 minutes later but Danny Macrae went on to complete his hat-trick a couple of minutes after the restart.
Calum Stewart made it 4-1 on 77 minutes.
Kinlochshiel 0 Kingussie 4
The Kingussie seconds scored four times in the first half to beat the Kinlochshiel seconds 4-0 in their 1pm throw up at Kirkton.
The early throw up allowed the Kingussie squad to make an earlier journey home to attend player Ricky Grant’s wedding.
‘Shiel started with Ronan Taylor at full centre and Neil Fraser at full back marking Kevin Thain.
Kingussie made just one change from the side which beat the Skye reserves a week earlier as Kieran MacTavish came in for John Gibson at buckshee back.
Kingussie, playing up the hill, took the lead on 23 minutes when Rory Fraser made a probing run forward from midfield and he released the ball to his right where Dylan Borthwick fired it across keeper Raymond Gillies and into the net.
The home side responded and Kingussie keeper Robert Shiells did well to use his club to turn away a Graham Kennedy strike.
A ball into the middle on 29 minutes deflected down off Neil Fraser’s stick to Kevin Thain. The home defence looked as if they were going to deal with the danger but Liam Borthwick took the chance thump the ball home to make it 2-0.
It was all Kingussie now and keeper Gillies saved well to deny Kevin Thain a goal.
The Kings did extend their lead on 32 minutes with the goal of the match. Kevin Thain played a measured pass to Dylan Borthwick on his left and Borthwick allowed the ball to run across him before blasting it through the keeper’s legs to make it 3-0.
Dylan Borthwick completed his hat-trick on 43 minutes. When the ball dropped for him in a central position, he showed no hesitation in smashing it into the net.
On 54 minutes, Ronan Taylor sent a high ball forward which was chested down by Graham Kennedy and, with his back to goal, Kennedy turned to his left but his shot hit the outside of the post.
Robert Shiells saved with his legs from WD MacRae as the hosts came more into it and they had the chance to pull a goal back on 57 minutes. Allan MacDiarmid played the ball into the goal area and referee Ross Brown spotted an infringement and pointed to the spot. Neil Fraser came forward to take it but Robert Shiells stretched his caman high to his right to turn the ball away for a corner.
Kevin Thain then released James Falconer but Raymond Gillies made another superb save and he did like-wise soon after to deny Liam Borthwick.
The win lifts Kingussie into second place in the division.
Fort William 6 Glenurquhart 1
The Fort William colts and beat the Glenurquhart colts 6-1 at An Aird.
Fort William fielded Bobby MacMillan and Niall MacPhee whilst the Glen included Glen ladies’ players Hazel Hunter and Ishbel Barr.
Fort William took control of the match with three goals late in the first half. Mark Fraser opened the scoring before Bobby MacMillan and Scott Henderson made it 3-0.
The Glen went on to have their best spell in the match before Mark Fraser got his second to make it 4-0.
Bobby MacMillan made it 5-0 before Callum Miller immediately pulled a goal back.
Mark Fraser completed his hat-trick to make the final score 6-1.
Marine Harvest South Division 1
Lochside Rovers 2 Bute 2
A last minute Michael MacQueen penalty earned Lochside Rovers a 2-2 draw against Bute in their 1pm throw up at Ganavan.
Bute kindly agreed to Lochside’s request for an earlier throw up so that the Oban players could dash to Mossfield afterwards to watch their senior team in Artemis Macaulay Cup semi-final action against Kyles Athletic.
Bute went in front on 6 minutes when Craig Fisher’s strike from distance took a bounce in front of goal and the ball kicked up over Lochside keeper Cameron Sutherland’s shoulder and into the net.
Michael MacQueen equalised on 15 minutes when, following a corner, he produced a really good finish, striking the ball from an angle and it went high into the net, just inside the post.
Bute regained the lead on 27 minutes when a long-range effort was palmed away by Cameron Sutherland but Robert Walker was first onto the rebound to score.
Lochside gave a better account of themselves in the second half but they struggled to find a leveller despite their increased possession.
The hosts pushed Steven Sloss into attack and the switch paid off at the death when Sloss spun his marker and ran in on goal but was tripped at the edge of the D. Bute claimed the foul took place just outside the box but referee Euan Pearson pointed to the spot. Michael MacQueen kept his cool, beating keeper Kevin Queen with a low strike although the Bute custodian got a foot to the ball. It was the last hit of the game.
A draw was probably a fair result. It wasn’t one of Lochside’s better performances this season and perhaps some of their players had one eye on this Saturday’s Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup Final against the Kingussie seconds at An Aird.
Kilmory 10 Tayforth 0
Kilmory were too strong for Tayforth, winning 10-0 at MacRae Park.
Hal Jones netted after 2 and 3 minutes to get Kilmory off to a great start.
Alex Cunningham then went on to get a first half hat-trick with goals on 10, 20 and 22 minutes.
Andy Cunningham on 30 minutes, a hat-trick goal from Hal Jones a couple of minutes later and Alister MacArthur on 42 minutes, made it 8-0 at half time.
Alex Cunningham went on to take his tally to five goals with strikes on 55 and 74 minutes.
Kilmory go fifth and they are one of five teams on seven points.
Marine Harvest North Division 2
Glengarry 8 Kilmallie 1
After losing two successive matches by the odd goal in nine, league leaders Glengarry returned to their winning ways by beating the Kilmallie second team 8-1 at The Craigard.
Steven Cameron opened the scoring on 14 minutes and Daniel MacLennan on 15 and 17 minutes made it 3-0.
Steven Cameron got his second to make it 4-0 on the half hour mark.
Raymond Robertson added his name to the score-sheet a couple of minutes before the interval to make it 5-0.
Kyle MacKinnon notched a sixth just 10 minutes into the second period and although Kilmallie’s Dean Williamson pulled a goal back a couple of minutes later, Daniel MacLennan completed his hat-trick on 67 minutes and Kyle MacKinnon got his second to make it 8-1 just 7 minutes from time.
Lochcarron 6 Boleskine 1
Lochcarron beat Boleskine 6-1 at Battery Park.
Lochcarron full centre Liam Arnott, who had only hours earlier returned from abroad, set up Lance MacCuish to score on 4 minutes and Peter MacKenzie added a second on 6 minutes to give the home side an early cushion.
David Bauermeister netted on 22 and 36 minutes to make it 4-0.
Liam Tinney pulled a goal back a couple of minutes below the break but Andrew Ford made it 5-1 on 63 minutes and Lance MacCuish got his second a minute later, with Liam Arnott again the provider, to round off the 6-1 win.
Strathglass 0 Lochaber 7
The Lochaber seconds overcame the Strathglass seconds 7-0 in their noon throw up at Cannich.
Keith Neville and Harvey Allison both bagged braces whilst James MacRae, Danny Delaney and Keir Johnstone got the others.
Lovat 5 Inverness 0
The Lovat colts made it four wins on the bounce when they overcame the Inverness colts 5-0 in their noon throw up at Balgate.
Inverness agreed to the earlier throw up time to allow the Lovat players and support to head for Braeview Park to watch their senior side face Newtonmore in the Artemis Macaulay Cup semi-finals later in the afternoon.
Lovat’s James Fraser was handed a two game suspension after his red card in the win over Boleskine seven days earlier.
Brother and sister Chris Johnston for Lovat and Hannah Johnston for Inverness were in direct opposition throughout this match.
Raymond Rennie was quickly onto a loose ball to score on 6 minutes after Inverness keeper Kenneth Loades had saved from Duncan Urquhart.
Duncan Urquhart turned scorer on 29 minutes when he won possession and held off a challenge before sending a 25 yard drive into the roof off the net. However Urquhart seemed to hurt himself in the process and he limped off the pitch to be replaced.
Inverness had a reasonable amount off possession but they were unable to create many chances in front of goal.
The visitors had the chance to pull a goal back on 51 minutes when referee John Matheson awarded them a penalty. However home goalie Ronan MacMillan made a good save with his foot from Andy Reid’s spot-hit.
Lovat extended their lead on 54 minutes. Cameron MacMillan got on the end of Chris Johnston’s cross and, from around the penalty spot, MacMillan took the ball first-time, sending it into the net for what was a neat finish.
Raymond Rennie got his second on 67 minutes, trapping the ball before sending it low into the net from 15 yards out.
Cameron MacMillan got his second on 78 minutes; this time striking the ball first time on his back-hand for what was another good finish.
Raymond Rennie was denied a hat-trick when he fired a cracking 35 yard shot home but the effort was ruled out as one of the Lovat forwards was adjudged to be in an offside position.
Strathspey Camanachd P Caberfeidh P
The 1.30pm throw up between Strathspey Camanachd and the Caberfeidh second team at Grantown Grammar School will be rescheduled for a later date.
Marine Harvest South Division 2
Aberdour 0 Inveraray 5
The Inveraray second team took another step towards the Marine South Division 2 title when they defeated the Aberdour seconds 0-5 at Silversands.
Inveraray made two changes to their squad with Scott Robertson and Andrew McMurdo missing so young Andrew Fraser started at half back and Russell McKinlay started his first match of the season.
Aberdour made the brighter start, asking questions of the young Inveraray defence,
However, it didn’t take Inveraray long to find their way and when referee Calum Girvan spotted a “kick” inside the Aberdour D, Russell McKinlay stepped up to score.
Inveraray doubled their lead within 20 seconds of the restart as David Robertson and McKinlay showed great forward skills and McKinlay finishing what was the goal of the game.
Young Campbell Watt saw an effort come back off the crossbar before Russell McKinlay completed his hat-trick to make it 3-0 at the break.
Russell McKinlay - his fourth goal of the game – and David Robertson added two more goals in the second half to make it 6-0.
Aberdour’s Andrew Fraser had his hands full marking Russell McKinlay whilst visiting wing centres John MacKenzie and Kenny Kirkhope more than played their part, turning in their best performances of the season.
Dunoon Camanachd P Oban Lorn P
The 1.30pm throw up between Dunoon Camanachd and Oban Lorn was postponed as the Dunoon Stadium was unavailable.
The match will be rescheduled for a later date.
(All throw ups are 2.30pm unless the match report states differently)
(The photograph of Caberfeidh's Kevin Bartlett in action against Fort William comes courtesy of Donald Cameron)