Keith Loades Reflects on Epic Balliemore Cup Final. | |
19 July 2010 “You couldn’t script an ending like that,” was Kinlochshiel joint manager Keith Loades reaction following his side’s Balliemore Cup Final win over Lochaber at An Aird on Saturday 17 July 2010. Speaking on Cuillin FM after the game, Kinlochshiel Keith Loades said, “It was a roller coaster, and although we made it hard for ourselves at times, the boys never gave up. The match was an excellent advert for the game of shinty. I was talking to match commentator Hugh Dan MacLennan after the game and he said it was probably the best they’ve ever seen on television.” When asked by Cuillin FM shinty pundit Davie MacVicar if he felt his side was going to lose the game at 3-1 down or 4-3 down just before the final whistle, Loades said, “I didn’t think for a minute that we were going to lose the game at 3-1 down but I don’t think many would have expected us to come back from 4-3 down with only 30 seconds to go. Tactical switches at 3-1 got us back in it. We brought Neil Fraser on in attack and he was so lively and contributed by setting up a goal.” Reflecting on his keeper Graham Kennedy’s display Loades said, “The final then became the Graham Kennedy Show. He’s just a fantastic goalkeeper and I don’t think he’s let in a penalty this season. He comes in, does his job and Johnston and I could not ask for more from him. He’s a brave lad too and put his body on the line for the team by saving the final penalty with his face.” “We picked up a few facial injuries and Steven Callander has a broken nose. However I told him that that was no bad thing as he played a stormer after it happened.” Shiel were reduced to 11 players for the final 7 minutes after defender John Don MacKenzie was sent off. “I’m not going to argue with John Don MacKenzie’s sending off,” said Loades, “as I thought the referee Deek Cameron was excellent and he allowed the game to flow. It was just a bit of frustration on our player’s part as John Don is not a dirty player. I spoke to the referee after the game and he said that he made a mistake as he meant to show John Don a second yellow and then a red and not a straight red. The player would still have been sent off but that probably means a 2 game ban rather than a single match but we’re not going to let that spoil anything.” Loades clearly has the utmost respect for rivals Lochaber. “We met up with the Lochaber lads in Spean Bridge after the game. Their reaction was great and their manager Michael Delaney is a gentleman. The teams often play each other preseason and there’s a good relationship between the clubs. I felt for Mike as nobody wants to lose a game like that but Lochaber are a very good side and they clearly have a good team spirit.” |