Memory Lane - 2000 / 2001 Shinty Season Part 20/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
14 January 2016 As Skye Camanachd look forward to their first season in shinty’s top division since 2002, let’s look back to the 2000 / 01 season, Skye’s first year in the national top tier. The Islanders only spell in the National Premier Division came when they won promotion from the National League Division 1 after a final-day win over Lochcarron at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree at the end of the 1999 / 2000 season. Skye joined Fort William, Glenorchy, Kilmallie, Kingussie, Kyles Athletic Newtonmore and Oban Camanachd in an eight team top flight in hope of winning the championship but with a definite aim of avoiding finishing bottom of the table which would mean relegation. This was Skye Camanachd’s final match of the season and they knew that they needed to beat Glenorchy at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree to avoid relegation.
Saturday 12 May 2001 Marine Harvest National Premier Division Skye Camanachd 6 Glenorchy 2 The stakes were “Skye high” for the Islanders as Glenorchy visited Pairc nan Laoch, Portree for what was the home side’s final match of the 2010/11 shinty season. Skye started as if they meant business and some good play from Somhairle MacDonald in the opening minute created a chance for Willie MacRae but MacRae tugged his shot wide of target. But the opening goal was just 60 seconds away. Skye’s Ally “Stenscholl” MacDonald played a corner across goal and Somhairle MacDonald sent a superb first-time shot past a helpless Graham McKechnie in the Glenorchy goal to make it 1-0. Skye attacked again on 4 minutes with Somhairle MacDonald once more in the thick of the action. The skilful Skye forward saw his shot saved by Graham McKechnie but Willie Cowie was on hand to slam the rebound into the back of the net to make it 2-0. This was just the start that the Skye support sought and although Glenorchy came more into the game, it was Skye who would extend their advantage with a tremendous team goal. Skye defender John “Spod” MacLeod was strong in the challenge as he won possession to break up a Glenorchy attack. MacLeod sent the ball long to John MacLean and he played in Willie Cowie who looked up and slipped the ball to Somhairle MacDonald around 25 yards from goal. MacDonald had a look up before crashing an unstoppable shot into the net to make it 3-0. It was a great strike from Somhairle MacDonald who appeared to be on a single-handed mission to save Skye’s season. There were just a couple of first half minutes remaining when Glenorchy pulled a goal back with Gordon Gibson steering the ball into the net following a goal-mouth melee. Glenorchy were not going to suffer defeat without a fight and they gave Skye real cause for concern when they made it 3-2 on 63 minutes. Glenorchy full centre Kenny MacDougall did the damaged as he surged forward from midfield unchecked and he steadied himself before finding the back of the net. If Skye were rattled, they didn’t show it and they eased their supporters nerves with a goal a minute later. Willie Cowie was brought down inside the D and referee Drew Mcneil pointed to the penalty spot. Dougie Rankin kept his nerve to make it 4-2. Skye went on to make the points safe with two goals in 3 minutes. Glenorchy keeper Graham McKechnie saved from John MacLean but Somhairle MacDonald scored from the rebound to complete his hat-trick to make it 5-2 with 72 minutes played. Skye rounded off the scoring a couple of minutes later. John MacLean knocked a free-hit to Willie Cowie and he accurately placed the ball out of the reach of keeper McKechnie into the corner of the net to make it 6-2. The win meant Skye finished the season in sixth place on eight points, ahead of Glenorchy on goal difference. Both sides were a point ahead of relegated Kyles Athletic who were replaced in the top flight by Inveraray who edged out second placed Lochcarron for promotion although the Battery Park side made the step-up a year later.
The Marine Harvest National Premier League finished:
Skye Camanachd’s Marine Harvest National Premier League results:
Skye Camanachd’s Tulloch MacTavish Cup results:
Skye Camanachd’s Macaulay Cup results:
Skye Camanachd’s Glenmorangie Camanachd Cup results:
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