There were surprises, extra-time and penalty shoot-outs and all but one of the Artemis Macaulay Cup quarter-finalists are known following the shinty action on Saturday 29 April 2017.
Artemis Macaulay Cup - First Round
Kinlochshiel 0 Lovat 0 (AET - Lovat won 3-2 on penalties)
Artemis Macaulay Cup holders Kinlochshiel have been knocked out of this year’s competition, eventually losing out to Lovat after a penalty shoot-out at Kirkton
Kinlochshiel manager Johnston Gill had a full squad to choose from and his side was along usual lines with Duncan “DA” MacRae, Calum MacLean and Alasdair Nixon on the bench.
Lovat were minus Bailey MacKay who suffered a broken collar-bone in the previous week’s win over Oban Camanachd. Youngster Scott MacKenzie, Marin Bell and boss Fraser Gallacher were on their bench.
There was a minute’s silence ahead of throw up to remember Lovat’s 1953 Camanachd Cup winner Willie MacLean who recently passed away.
There may have been no goals in this tie but it had just about everything else.
Kinlochshiel hit the frame of the goals on three occasions and whilst Lovat keeper Stuart MacDonald produced some marvellous saves, Scott Kennedy in the ‘Shiel goal was certainly no idle bystander.
‘Shiel kept the ball wide in attack and created a number of chance but the Lovat defence was on form with Daniel Grieve outstanding.
There was a good battle between full centres Finlay MacRae and Danny Kelly who cancelled eachother out although Lovat had more success on the midfield wings.
You just couldn’t take your eyes off the action and the game’s main talking point came on 73 minutes. Lovat passed up more than once chance to clear their lines following a ‘Shiel corner and as Oliver MacRae went into a challenge, Jordan Fraser raced across from the right to send a thunderous shot goalwards, What happened next will be remembered by all who attended the game for many a year. Lovat keeper Stuart MacDonald got his hand to the shot but such was the power of the strike, the ball spun up and over the keeper and looked certain to drop into the back of the net. Keeper MacDonald, by now on his knees, threw himself forwards towards his goal and, with an out-stretched arm, he flicked the dropping ball away with his caman for a corner on the ‘Shiel left.
The save was captured by cameraman Norman Strachan and has since become a YouTube sensation, featured on the Camanachd Association Facebook page, and it drew warm applause from both sets of supporters.
The extra-time period still failed to produce a goal and, as with what had gone before, the ensuing penalty shoot-out at the top goal was dramatic.
Lovat player / manager Fraser Gallacher led by example, giving his side the lead only for Jordan Fraser to level.
Lovat’s Greg Matheson, who had suffered several knocks during the game, and ‘Shiel’s Finlay MacRae both sent their efforts over the top.
Scott Kennedy made a great save, high to his left, to deny Lorne MacKay and John MacRae fired low into the net to put ‘Shiel 2-1 ahead.
Craig Mainland restored parity, although Kennedy almost kept the ball out, and Stuart MacDonald made a great save, stretching a foot to his left, to thwart Keith MacRae.
Scott Kennedy then stretched a foot to his right to save Callum Cruden’s strike so Oliver MacRae had a chance to win it for ‘Shiel but Stuart MacDonald made another fantastic save.
With the shoot-out at 2-2 after the first ten hits, the contest went to sudden death with the players lining up in the same order.
Fraser Gallacher scored, sending the ball high over keeper’s left shoulder, to give Lovat the advantage.
Jordan Fraser had to score for ‘Shiel but his strike was well-saved with his caman by Stuart MacDonald to give Lovat victory.
It was a game neither team deserved to lose and referee John Angus Gillies flashed the yellow card five times to diffuse any potential flashpoints.
Fort William 2 Glenurquhart 2 (AET - Fort William won 2-0 on penalties)
Marine Harvest National Division side Fort William are through to the next round after they beat Marine Harvest Premiership outfit Glenurquhart on penalties following their 2-2 draw in their 3pm throw up at An Aird.
Fort William’s Bryan Simpson was suspended following his red card against Aberdour a week earlier.
This was also a final match for Fort William power-house Niall MacPhee, with the former Scotland international confirming his retirement due to family commitments.
Callum Smith missed out for the Glen as did fellow forward Neale Reid.
Fort William took the lead through Arran MacPhee on 20 minutes but Fraser Heath levelled with an unstoppable first time shot just 6 minutes later.
James Hurwood scored a minute before the break to put the Glen in front and it looked as if they would see out a 2-1 win.
Glenurquhart at times seemed to be looking for the perfect goal and they were made to pay as Fort William upped their game in the final period, showing increased urgency and Arran MacPhee got his second to make it 2-2 with 10 minutes remaining.
Garry MacKintosh in the Glen goal made a couple of late saves but, with no further scoring, referee Archie Ritchie took the tie into extra-time.
But with neither side able to add to their tally, a penalty shoot-out ensued.
Arran MacPhee was up first but his effort was saved with his legs by Garry MacKintosh. The Glen couldn’t take advantage though as Fraser Heath’s penalty was saved with his stick by Paul MacKay.
With Mark Grant’s penalty saved and John Barr missing the target, it was scoreless after four penalties.
Fort William’s Jack Fraser was up next and he broke the deadlock and Paul MacKay saved from Lachie Smith.
Bobby MacMillan’s penalty went in off the keeper to make it 2-0 and, with Paul MacKay saving the Glen’s fourth penalty from David MacLennan; the An Aird side went through to the quarter-finals.
Kingussie 0 Lochaber 2
Lochaber notched their first win of the season, beating Kingussie 2-0 at The Dell.
Forwards Martin Dallas, Ryan Borthwick and James Falconer were all missing for Kingussie.
Lochaber’s Barry MacDonald served the second game of a two match suspension whilst Brian MacDonald was out with a broken thumb.
Lochaber have found goals hard to come by this season but Shaun Nicolson, who linked up well with Connor Sweeney throughout, got his rewards in this game with finishes on 15 and 22 minutes to make it 2-0.
Findlay MacDonald played well for Lochaber and Ally Ferguson’s side will look to build on this win when they eventually return to league action.
Oban Camanachd 4 Ballachulish 0
With Mossfield unavailable, the tie between Oban Camanachd and Ballachulish was switched to Ganavan, where the Oban side ran out comfortable 4-0 winners.
There was a similarity to all four Oban goals; all netted from close in with Iain Hay’s side taking advantage of any rebounds off the keeper.
Andrew MacCuish scored on 33 and 41 minutes and when Daniel MacVicar made it 3-0 on 42 minutes, there was only going to be one winner.
Oban Camanachd made a bit of a meal of things after the break but Daniel Cameron did add a fourth with just 7 minutes remaining.
Inveraray 4 Oban Celtic 5 (AET)
2016 Artemis Macaulay Cup runners up Inveraray were knocked out of this year’s tournament, losing 5-4 to Oban Celtic after extra-time in their all-Marine Harvest National Division tie at The Winterton.
Inveraray, who didn’t have a game the previous weekend, were minus John Kennedy whilst Grant Griffin started on the bench. Garry MacPherson was at full centre.
On a day Oban Celtic just never gave in, David MacInnes returned and Ross MacMillan was free of suspension but keeper Stephen Davidson was still missing so Jack Hill continued in goal. Michael Mackinnon, Rory Bruce John Hill and Andy Hunt were also unavailable.
Lee Askew opened scoring with a scrappy goal after 5 minutes of what would prove to be a nine goal thriller.
As the game flowed from end to end, Inveraray responded well and young Ruaraidh Graham levelled on 14 minutes with Allan MacDonald putting the home side ahead on 31 minutes.
Another blow was to follow for Celtic as they lost full back Andy MacDonald with a nasty cut to his face.
However this all seemed to spur Oban Celtic on and former Scotland U21 international Daniel Madej made it 2-2 with a well-worked goal on 37 minutes.
Oban Celtic then shot themselves in the foot, conceding direct from the restart as Allan MacDonald grabbed his second to give Inveraray a 3-2 advantage at the break.
When Allan MacDonald completed his hat-trick on 65 minutes, Inveraray had one foot in the next round.
It would have been easy for Oban Celtic to throw in the towel but manager Kenny Wotherspoon went for broke. Ross MacMillan was moved into the forward line, where he gave Douglas Dando a torrid time, and David MacInnes went to half back. Lee Askew went out on the wing and Daniel MacMillan came off the bench with Daniel Madej going onto the D and Neil Carmichael dropping back to half forward.
Oban Celtic showed great character and a 'never say die' attitude and the moves paid dividends with Neil Carmichael scoring twice in the final 7 minutes.
Carmichael made it 4-3 on 82 minutes with a low, driven shot which sneaked into the corner of the net.
Even then it looked as if Inveraray would grind out the win and make it into the next round but Neil Carmichael clearly hadn’t read the script and, just a minute from time, with Inveraray in disarray at the back, he flicked the ball into the top corner of the net to make it 4-4 and referee Willie MacDonald took the tie into extra-time.
Oban Celtic were the fitter side during extra-time, with Inveraray failing to match their opponents desire.
Oban Celtic had the ball in the net on 97 minutes but the effort was correctly ruled out for offside.
With Ally Munro going off injured, Inveraray pulled Allan MacDonald back into defence where Celtic forward Daniel Madej was proving a handful.
Gary MacPherson moved up top but never really threatened as the Celtic defenders were strong.
With just 90 seconds left, and both managers contemplating their five penalty takers, Celtic won it. Daniel Madej hit a snap-shot on the turn from 20 yards out which was saved by Scott MacLachlan but Daniel MacMillan was first to react and he rifled the ball low and hard into the net to win the tie and set up a derby meeting with Oban Camanachd at Ganavan in the quarter-finals.
Skye Camanachd 1 Newtonmore 3
Newtonmore beat Skye Camanachd 3-1 at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree.
Steven Morrison was still out for Skye. Paul MacArthur, who has been hampered with a hamstring problem, travelled with Newtonmore and was an unused substitute. Norman Campbell continued in goal and Rory Kennedy recovered from a knock sustained in the previous week’s win over Lochaber.
Newtonmore won the toss and played with a stiff breeze at their backs in the first half.
Skye made a positive start to the game but it was Newtonmore who went in front on 5 minutes when Iain Robinson gathered possession and he showed great pace to burst forward from the right wing, into the D, and he sent the ball into the net to make it 1-0.
Glen MacKintosh made it 2-0 just 4 minutes later when he drove a loose ball from a Drew MacDonald corner into the net from 22 yards out.
Skye absorbed a fair bit of Newtonmore pressure before pulling a goal back on 34 minutes. A John Gillies free-hit from the left of midfield broke for James Pringle on the Skye right and he sent a great shot into the net to make it 2-1.
Glen MacKintosh restored ‘More’s two goal advantage on 56 minutes when he collected a Drew MacDonald pass on the right and he gave keeper Iain MacLeod no chance with a firm strike.
Aberdour 1 Glasgow Mid Argyll 5
Glasgow Mid Argyll defeated Aberdour 5-1 in their 3pm throw up at Silversands.
Goals from Calum McLay, with a 30 yard strike on 4 minutes, and Brian Slattery, who played a one-two with Garry Luke before scoring on 10 minutes, got GMA off to a solid start.
The visitors played with Premiership pace in the first half and they killed the tie before the break.
Calum McLay got his second on 40 minutes, tapping home a rebound off the keeper and Craig Anderson also found the back of the net a minute before the break when he raced onto a long ball over the top to make it 4-0.
Craig Anderson got his second on 75 minutes, slotting home a rebound after a Calum McLay effort was saved, and although David MacKenzie pulled a goal back a minute later with a shot from distance which bounced past Robert Dunnings in the visiting goal, it was GMA’s day.
Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup - Second Round
Newtonmore 8 Lochcarron 0
Holders Newtonmore seconds were too strong for Lochcarron, winning 8-0 at the Eilan.
David Cheyne gave ‘More a 23 minute lead with Iain Cameron putting through his own goal a minute later.
Calum Stewart on 29 minutes, John MacKenzie on 32 minutes and Stewart again on 44 minutes made it 5-0 at the break.
Newtonmore continued to dominate in the second half and Craig MacLeod added a sixth just 3 minutes after the restart.
A second for David Cheyne on 67 minutes and a second from Craig MacLeod 10 minutes from time rounded off the 8-0 win.
Aberdour 0 Kingussie 7
The Kingussie colts are also through to the third round, beating the Aberdour colts 7-0 in their noon throw up at Silversands.
Dylan Borthwick broke the deadlock on 17 minutes and Daniel Donald made it 2-0 on 27 minutes.
Dylan Borthwick got his second a minute later to make it 3-0.
An Alistair Abbott own goal on 36 minutes and Kevin Thain strike just 60 seconds later made it 5-0 at half time.
Two late goals put gloss on the win as Liam Borthwick found the back of the net on 81 minutes with Owen Reid completing the 7-0 win a minute later.
Kyles Athletic 0 Lochside Rovers 2
Lochside Rovers returned from Tighnabruaich with a win for the second successive Saturday, beating the Kyles Athletic second team 2-0.
Michael MacQueen gave the Oban side a 33 minute lead with a 25 yard rocket shot into top corner of the net.
Keith Burnett added a second on 66 minutes courtesy of a lovely assist from Michael MacQueen that left Burnett one-on-one with keeper and he slipped the ball past the advancing Kyles’ custodian.
Kyles put pressure on the visitors during the final 15 minutes but the Lochside defence was outstanding.
Glenurquhart 3 Boleskine 0
The Glenurquhart reserves scored three times in the first half to record their first win of the season, beating Boleskine 3-0 at Blairbeg.
Ben Hosie, recently returned to the side following the end if Inverness City’s football season, opened the scoring on 6 and he added a second on 22 minutes.
A Cairn Urquhart goal a minute before referee John Matheson’s half time whistle made it 3-0 which was enough to seal victory.
The winning margin could have been bigger but the Glen had further efforts ruled out for offside.
Lochaber 0 Glengarry 3
The Lochaber second team and Glengarry met for the second time this season with ‘Garry winning again; this time 3-0 at Spean Bridge.
Raymond Robertson continued his scoring spree with a strike on 29 minutes and David Rodgers made it 2-0 just 10 minutes later.
Stuart Gregory rounded off the win with a goal a couple of minutes from time.
Caberfeidh 3 Inverness 0
The Caberfeidh seconds beat the Inverness seconds 3-0 at Castle Leod.
The Inverness midfield was made up of former Skye player Ewen MacKinnon and his sons William MacKinnon, at full centre following a hand injury, and Ross MacKinnon.
Ruaraidh McCreadie opened the scoring on 10 minutes and Fraser MacArthur made it 2-0 with a high, looping ball in on goal on 39 minutes.
There were few chances to score in the second half but Brian MacKain scored against his former club with 20 minutes remaining to round off the 3-0 win.
Fort William W/O v Oban Lorn
The Fort William seconds sailed through to the quarter finals when Oban Lorn were unable to raise a team for their noon throw up at An Aird.
Bute W/O v Caithness
The Bute reserves were given a walk-over when non-league Caithness were unable to raise a team for their trip to at The Meadows.
Marine Harvest Premiership
Kyles Athletic 3 Kilmallie 1
With their rivals in cup action, Kyles Athletic took the chance to go two points clear at the top of the table after they defeated Kilmallie 3-1 at Tighnabruaich.
Callum Miller and Grant Irvine were missing for Kyles so Innes MacDonald and Cammy Keith were deployed as a full back partnership.
Kilmallie were without the suspended Michael Rodger who served the final game of his ban. Aaron Sandison started a five game suspension whilst Liam Cameron began a two game ban but Duncan Rodger was free of his suspension.
When referee Lachie Wood awarded Kyles a 27 minute penalty, the ever-reliable Robbie MacLeod stepped up to score.
Sandy MacKenzie made it 2-0 on 35 minutes and it stayed that way until the break.
Kilmallie’s Duncan Rodger pulled a goal back on 54 minutes only for Roddy MacDonald to make it 3-1 on 74 minutes to maintain his record of scoring in all of Kyles’ eight matches this season.
Kyles are now two points ahead Kinlochshiel and Oban Camanachd but they have played a game more than the former and a game less than the latter.
Marine Harvest National Division
Beauly 0 Caberfeidh 3
Caberfeidh move within a point of leaders Skye in shinty’s second tier thanks to a 3-0 win over Beauly at Braeview Park.
Craig Morrison put Cabers ahead on 18 minutes when he fired home from between the D and the penalty spot. His back-hand, waist-high strike flew into the corner of the net.
Morrison got his and Caberfeidh’s second on 27 minutes following a corner.
Craig Morrison completed his hat-trick a minute before the break, sending the ball into the bottom corner of the net from inside the D.
Marine Harvest North Division 1
Aberdeen University P Beauly P
The Beauly second team were unable to raise a team for their meeting with Aberdeen University at Balgownie.
Beauly have been deducted two points and the match will be rescheduled for a later date.
Marine Harvest South Division 1
Col Glen 1 Taynuilt 1
A Steven Parr goal seconds from time earned Taynuilt a share of the points in a 1-1 draw with Col Glen at Glendaruel.
The first half was goalless but Connor Kennedy put Col Glen ahead 10 minutes after the restart.
And that’s the way it stayed until the game moved into the final minute when Steven Parr equalised for Taynuilt.
Col Glen stay fourth and Taynuilt stay fifth with a game in hand.
(All throw ups were 2.30pm unless the match reports states differently)
WCA Round Up
Top division league action returned with the majority of fixtures played on Sunday 30 April 2017.
Marine Harvest National Division 1
Skye Camanachd 2 Badenoch & Strathspey 4
Badenoch & Strathspey defeated Skye Camanachd 4-2 in their noon throw up at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 29 April 2017.
A turn and shot from Kirsty Deans put the visitors ahead but Abby MacLean tucked home a rebound a couple of minutes later to level.
Kirsty Deans got her sides second with a strike from distance on the right and Zoe Reid added a third, again from a rebound.
Zoe Reid knocked the ball home early in the second half to make it 4-1 and although Lorna MacRae pulled a goal back, Badenoch & Strathspey deserved the win.
Aberdour 1 Glasgow Mod Argyll 4
Glasgow Mid Argyll beat Aberdour 4-1 in their noon throw up at Silversands.
Katy Smith scored for the home side but a Lindsay Michie brace and goals from Lucy McNulty and Catriona Stark won the game for GMA
Lochaber 10 Fort William 0
Lochaber were too strong for Fort William, winning 10-0 in their derby clash at Spean Bridge.
Kirsty Delaney scored four times whilst Claire Delaney, Amy Disher and Stephanie Walsh all got doubles.
Marine Harvest Challenge Cup - Round 1
Cowal & Bute 3 English Shinty Association 3 AET (Cowal & Bute won on penalties)
Cowal & Bute beat the English Shinty Association on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
Fay Robertson, Catherine Whyte and Charmaine Love scored for Cowal & Bute with Mary Walsh notching a hat-trick for the English side.
Cowal & Bute came out on top in the shoot-out.
Marine Harvest South Division 2
Oban Lorn 1 Glasgow Mid Argyll 7
Glasgow Mid Argyll overcame Oban Lorn winning 7-1.
Shelley MacCuish netted for the home side but a Catherine Mullen hat-trick and two each from Catriona Phillips and Laura Aiken gave GMA the points.
Development Leagues - East
Aberdour hosted the Development League – East fixtures with Aberdour, Badenoch, Strathspey and Tayforth all taking part.
Development League - West
Lovat hosted the Development League – West at Balgate where Ardnamurchan, Fort William, Glenurquhart, Lovat, Skye and Strathglass all competed well.
Youth Round Up
U17 Marine Harvest London Shield – Section A
Fort William top Section A on goal difference thanks to a 3-0 win over Glenurquhart at Blairbeg. Lewis Clark, Victor Smith and Hamish Shaw got the goals.
Kinlochshiel came from two goals down to beat Skye 4-2 at Plockton High School. Stewart Taylor and Daniel MacDonald had Skye in front but Finlay MacRae, Sam Stubbs and a Duncan Matheson brace gave ‘Shiel the win.
U17 Marine Harvest London Shield – Section B
Oban Camanachd beat Lochaber 11-0 at Spean Bridge to top Section B. Craig MacMillan scored four times; Lewis Buchanan grabbed a hat-trick. Lennon Campbell nabbed a double and Euan Logan and Ruaridh Horne got the others.
The match between Newtonmore and Kingussie was postponed.
Marine Harvest U14 League
Section A
A Max Campbell double and goals from Dillon Brockie and Tyler Whyte meant Lochaber beat Lovat 4-3 at Balgate. Finlay Ogilvie scored twice for Lovat and Lewis Muir got the other direct from a corner.
Kingussie defeated Newtonmore 3-2 at The Eilan.
Section B
Kirsty Campbell, doubles from Herbie Paterson and Seumas Buchanan and an Arron Meilis goal gave Ardnamurchan a 6-1 win over Glengarry with Cameron Fraser netting for ‘Garry.
Fort William beat Kilmallie 8-0. Archie MacKinnon, Rhys Kennedy and Hamish Shaw all scored twice with Cameron Stephen and Craig MacDonald getting the others.
Section C
Skye Camanachd U14 beat Kinlochshiel U14 1-0 at Plockton High School. Taylor Matheson got the only goal of the game after 29 minutes.
Section D
Inverness were 6-1 winners over Beauly at the Bught Park.
Findlay Calder put Inverness ahead but Rory Tuach levelled early in the second half.
Ross MacKinnon put the home side back in front and Charlie MacRae made it 3-1.
Finlay Calder scored three more times to make it 6-1.
(The picture of Newtonmore's Andy MacKintosh clearing his lines against Skye comes courtesy of Moreen Pringle)