Newtonmore secured shinty’s top prize for the third season in succession when beat Lovat 3-0 in the 111th Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final at Mossfield on Saturday 15 September 2018.
This was only the second time these teams have met in a Camanachd Cup Final but the sides were the competition’s most recent winners over the last three years.
Lovat have only ever tasted success twice in shinty’s most famous tournament whilst Newtonmore went into the final on the back of a record-busting 32 Camanachd Cup successes.
Lovat’s last win was only in 2015 whilst Newtonmore were going for three in a row having lifted the trophy in 2016 and 2017.
The players, led by Presidents John MacRitchie (Lovat) and Norman MacArthur (Newtonmore), and the match officials were led onto the field by the Oban High School Pipe Band before being introduced to eight-times Camanachd Cup winner George Fraser from sponsors Tulloch Homes, Roddy MacCuish from Argyll & Bute Council and Camanachd Association Vice-Chieftain Alex McNaughton and President, Keith Loades, ahead of throw up.
This was a repeat of last year’s final. Lovat made three changes from the squad that day with Graeme MacMillan starting 3 years after a horror leg break. Marc MacLachlan and Duncan Davidson were also given starting slots after being substitutes a year earlier. The missing players were the injured Scott MacKenzie as well as Ryan Ferguson and Calum MacAulay. Martin Mainland started last year but was a substitute this time around.
Newtonmore made five switches from last year’s pool with Paul MacArthur, Ackie MacRae and the injured Fraser MacKintosh not involved from the starting line-up. Conor Jones and David Fraser were also missing. Scottish international Steven Macdonald, who was ruled out last year through suspension, Andy MacKintosh, who was denied a place in 2017 through injury, and 48 year old keeper Kenny Ross in his first Scottish final, all started whilst there were places on the bench for former Boleskine and Aberdeen University player Ewen Fraser and second team skipper Stuart Mitchell.
‘More’s Steven Macdonald, who missed last year’s final through suspension, lined up against Lorne MacKay in the middle of the park whilst Lovat danger-man Greg Matheson was again picked up by Rory Kennedy.
Despite the morning rain, Oban groundsman Ian Hay had the pitch in great condition.
Lovat won the toss of the coin and opted to play into the wind in the first half.
Newtonmore went on the offensive from the throw up and Iain Robinson’s low shot was saved by Scotland and Lovat keeper Stuart MacDonald with Craig Mainland playing the rebound out for a corner.
Lovat soon responded with Duncan Davidson’s effort deflected for a corner.
A long ball from Daniel Grieve dropped into the ‘More danger area and Kenny Ross did well as he came off his line and keep out Marc MacLachlan’s flick from the left with the ball rebounding out of play off the Lovat man.
It was a tense opening spell and a surging Michael Russell run forward on 10 minutes questioned the Lovat defence. Russell slipped the ball to the left to Evan Menzies in space but ‘More’s top scorer tugged his shot wide of target.
When Craig Mainland was penalised for a challenge on Evan Menzies, Michael Russell rolled the free-hit inside to Iain Robinson but his snap-shot went low past the keeper’s right post.
There was always going to be a physical element to the final and goal judge Alex MacVicar drew referee Deek Cameron’s attention to an off the ball tussle between Drew Howie and Glen MacKintosh ahead of a Lovat goal-hit. Both players received a ticking off and a handshake defused the situation.
The first serious strike on goal came seconds later, on 15 minutes, when Michael Russell’s backhand strike drew a brilliant save as keeper Stuart MacDonald stretched high to palm the ball over the bar with his left hand.
At the other end, Duncan Davidson chested Graeme MacMillan’s lofted ball from the right down to Greg Matheson but well-timed Rory Kennedy challenge got the ball away with Matheson requiring spay after sustaining a hand injury.
As the match moved into the second quarter, Lovat applied some pressure and Lorne MacKay managed to find Lewis Tawse but Kenny Ross palmed his shot away safely for a corner.
Lovat continued to press and, from the resultant corner, Craig Ritchie blocked a fierce Lewis Tawse drive.
Glen MacKintosh had by now moved to buckshee forward and he made enough space to shoot on his right side but his effort lacked power and Stuart MacDonald again saved with his hand.
Iain Robinson’s back-hand strike from distance on 29 minutes was deflected for a corner but you sensed a Newtonmore breakthrough was coming.
And it arrived on 31 minutes. David MacLean intercepted a Lovat clearance following Norman Campbell’s massive goal-hit. MacLean played a straight ball forward to Glen MacKintosh who turned and passed possession to Evan Menzies. Menzies, last year’s match winner, controlled the ball with his feet before darting to the ‘More left, across the penalty spot with marker Craig Mainland in pursuit. Menzies then turned on a sixpence and forced a shot between keeper MacDonald and his right post to make it 1-0.
The goal sparked Lovat into action and they spurned an immediate chance to level when Graeme MacMillan’s corner from the right fell for Marc MacLachlan but Norman Campbell got his left leg in the way to deflect MacLachlan’s shot to safety.
Greg Matheson had the ball in the net on 34 minutes when he got onto Marc MacLachlan’s cross from wide the right but goal judge Lachie Wood spotted that Matheson was marginally offside and the effort was correctly ruled out.
There was a flashpoint for referee Deek Cameron to deal with when Lorne MacKay and Michael Russell exchanged jabs to the mid-rift with the end of their sticks and, as Russell fell winded, Callum Cruden ran into the grounded player, kneeing him in the process. The incident was spotted by fourth official Robert Baxter and Cruden was shown a yellow card for his part.
Kenny Ross did well to save with his feet from Marc MacLachlan on 41 minutes after the Lovat full forward was able to bring down a high ball from Lorne MacKay’s free-hit from the centre circle.
The save was all the more important given what happened next. Jamie Robinson’s shy from the left was scooped on by Evan Menzies and Glen MacKintosh got away from Drew Howie before sweeping the ball low into the net, beating an unsighted Stuart MacDonald inside his left post.
And if that wasn’t bad enough for Lovat, disaster struck just 14 seconds later. Steven Macdonald won the ball from the restart and found Glen MacKintosh who held off Drew Howie before playing the ball into space on the right. Evan Menzies ran out and shot early. Scotland keeper MacDonald seemed to have the effort covered but it squirmed through his feet and into the net and ‘More led 3-0.
Steven MacDonald was booked for diving into a challenge as Greg Matheson got away from him in first half stoppage time.
With a couple of minutes’ stoppage time played, referee Deek Cameron brought the first half to a close.
Lovat, now playing with the wind, had it all to do but Newtonmore, who didn’t leave the pitch during the interval, went back on the offensive from the restart with Iain Robinson flashing a shot wide.
Stuart MacDonald then palmed down a long ball from David MacLean before clearing his lines.
Lovat suffered another blow just a couple of minutes into the second half when full forward Marc MacLachlan landed awkwardly whilst challenging for a high ball with Norman Campbell, twisting his left knee in the process. MacLachlan was left writhing in agony and was helped from the field by Campbell. It was later confirmed that he had suffered a dislocated knee. Bailey MacKay came on in his place.
The MacLachlan injury coupled with Newtonmore’s three goal cushion seemed to knock the stuffing out of the final for the next 10 minutes or so.
Glen MacKintosh blasted the ball over the junction between post and bar when a Craig Mainland knock down fell into his path just after the hour.
The rain started to fall and Lovat made a second change on 64 minutes as Martin Mainland replaced Graeme MacMillan. Mainland went to wing centre with Lorne MacKay pushed into the attack.
Lovat desperately needed a goal but the closest they came were a couple of scrambles in the ‘More goal area.
Newtonmore made their first change on 68 minutes as David MacLean, on his first start following injury, was withdrawn in favour of Drew MacDonald.
When Jamie Robinson played in Evan Menzies with 20 minutes remaining, the ‘More forward looked sure to complete his hat-trick as he fired in a blistering shot from the right but Stuart MacDonald made a breath-taking reflex save with his club.
Just seconds later, Kenny Ross blocked a Duncan Davidson shot and he then palmed the dropping ball away for a corner.
Craig Ritchie needed attention after a trip on Lewis Tawse, with the Lovat player’s trailing stick catching him on the knee. Referee Cameron signalled that time would be added on with Lovat keen to get the match restarted.
Steven Macdonald then required treatment before continuing his role in the middle of the park.
Evan Menzies went close again, jinking to make space on the left, but his effort went just over the top.
Menzies seemed to pull up just a couple of minutes earlier as he chased a ball to the left. With two crucial league games on the horizon, manager Paul John MacKintosh took no chances, taking Menzies off with Ewen Fraser taking over. Neil Stewart also came on for a limping Michael Russell.
The closest to a goal during 5 minutes of stoppage time was when a long Drew MacDonald ball from the right dropped nicely for Jamie Robinson but keeper Stuart MacDonald spread himself to keep Robinson’s chip out with the side of his face.
Newtonmore didn’t have a failure in their ranks. Norman Campbell strolled through what seems likely to be his last Scottish final as a he plans to step down from first team shinty at the end of the season. Young defender Craig Ritchie turned in one of his best performances in a Newtonmore shirt whilst Steven Macdonald controlled the midfield for log spells. Up front, Evan Menzies starred with two goals and an assist, and his all-round performance earned the coveted Albert Smith medal for man of the match which was presented by Fort William first team manager Victor Smith; Albert Smith’s grandson.
Lovat will look back at the final with regret. They never really got going, or perhaps were not allowed to get going, and they seem to find goals hard to come from against a mean Newtonmore defence.
Newtonmore captain Andy MacKintosh came forward to receive the Camanachd Cup and silver-mounted caman from Tulloch Homes Chief Executive George Fraser and although this Newtonmore squad know their way around a celebration, and whilst they’ll mark this success in the traditional manner, they also know that a win against Oban Camanachd at the Eilan this coming Saturday will add the Marine Harvest Premiership to the trophy cabinet.
Lovat from: Stuart MacDonald; Drew Howie, Craig Mainland, Daniel Grieve, Callum Cruden; Danny Kelly, Lorne MacKay, Lewis Tawse (captain); Duncan Davidson, Graeme MacMillan, Greg Matheson, Marc MacLachlan; subs Martin Mainland, Thomas Fraser, Bailey MacKay, Chris Johnston
Newtonmore from: Kenny Ross; Norman Campbell, Rory Kennedy, Craig Ritchie, Andy MacKintosh (captain); David MacLean, Steven Macdonald, Jamie Robinson; Michael Russell, Iain Robinson, Evan Menzies, Glen MacKintosh; subs Drew MacDonald; Neil Stewart, Ewen Fraser, Iain Richardson, Stuart Mitchell
Match Referee – Deek Cameron
Goal Judges – Lachie Wood & Alex MacVicar
Fourth Official – Robert Baxter
Linesmen – Des McNulty, Graham Fisher, Jim Innes & Neil MacDonald
(The picture of Newtonmore captain Andy MacKintosh with the Camanachd Cup comes courtesy of Neil G Paterson)