Memory Lane - 2000 / 2001 Shinty Season Part 3/20 | |
22 December 2015 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. After a 1-0 opening day home defeat to Fort William, Skye hit the road as they took on Oban Camanachd at Mossfield.
Saturday 26 August 2000 Marine Harvest National Premier Division Oban Camanachd 6 Skye Camanachd 1 A depleted Skye Camanachd squad travelled to Mossfield where they lost 6-1 to Oban Camanachd. Skye boss Angie Murchison was without defender Ewen “Crossal” MacKinnon who was at a wedding whilst forwards Somhairle MacDonald (injury) and Peter Gordon (holiday) were also missing. Oban Camanachd, on the other hand, fielded their strongest side and Neil Ross, Fraser Inglis, Dougie MacIntyre and David Devine lined-up in a formidable attack. Oban Camanachd took the lead after 15 minutes when Neil Ross beat marker Willie MacRae and he finished in style. MacRae pulled his hamstring in the process and was replaced by youngster Ben Simmister. Skye responded well and Oban Camanachd keeper Peter MacCuish first saved from Steven Morrison and he then dived across his goal to deny Willie Cowie. The home side grabbed a crucial second goal on the stroke of half time when Fraser Inglis finished off a good passing move to make it 2-0 at the break. Skye got themselves back into the game a couple of minutes after the restart when Steven Morrison did well to win possession and he found Norman MacLeod who beat keeper Peter MacCuish to make it 2-1. Oban Camanachd suffered a blow when they lost the influential Norrie MacInnes with an ankle injury and Gareth Evans came on in his place. Skye pressed to get back on level terms but they were left deflated when the Oban side scored twice in just 4 minutes to make it 4-1 to put themselves out of sight. First, Fraser Inglis beat Ewen “Yogi” MacSween, with Skye claiming for an impediment, and the classy forward went on to score to make it 3-1 with 62 minutes played. Then David Devin capitalised on an Aonghas MacDonald slip to make it 4-1 on 64 minutes. It’s fair to say that the two-goal burst meant the Skye heads went down and Dougie MacIntyre made it 5-1 before Fraser Inglis got his second to make it 6-1 to leave Skye still looking for their first league points. |