The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 4 February 2023 | |
04 February 2023 The preseason programme intensified with several teams in action on Saturday 4 February 2023.
Oban Camanachd 2 Fort William 0 Oban Camanachd and Fort William took the field for the first time this season in a 1.30pm throw up at Mossfield. The heavy rain in the days leading up to the match made an 8am pitch inspection necessary but it was dry overnight and the clash went ahead in mainly damp conditions. Oban Camanachd boss Gareth Evans started with four Daniels in attack: MacVicar, Cameron, MacCuish and Madej. Scott McKillop, Daniel Sloss, Scott Robertson and Louie McFarlane made up the defence with Jamie Forgrieve given a debut at wing centre. The strength of the home squad was illustrated by the absence of seven regulars including Blair McFarlane, David Cameron and Scott MacMillan. Neil Robertson and Alan Knox are now in charge at Fort William, and they had twenty players to select from for this clash including returning pair Ewen Campbell and Graham Campbell although injury still rules our Arran MacPhee. Oban Camanachd were forced into an early change when Daniel Madej was accidently caught on the foot by Fort keeper Paul MacKay and he was replaced by Innes Jackson. Both sides will be pleased with their first half performances. As the wind picked up and the heavens opened, Oban Camanachd, playing towards the golf course end, had most of the play but the Fort William defence stood strong with visiting keeper Paul MacKay in top form, making several good saves. The pick of the stops came from Jamie Forgrieve’s effort which was heading for the top corner before MacKay tipped the ball to safety. Despite Oban Camanachd’s best efforts, the first 45 minutes finished goalless. Oban Camanachd introduced Calum MacMillan for David Lafferty at half-time. Malcolm Clark moved from full centre to wing centre with Daniel Sloss switching to centre where he was against Bryan Simpson. Fort William had the wind advantage in the second half and looked a real threat without really troubling home goalie Cammy Sutherland, as they went on to enjoy their best spell of the game. Oban Camanachd had the chance to take the lead when referee Alec MacVicar awarded them a penalty for a “kick” inside the D. Louie MacFarlane caught the spot-hit well but the ball rattled back off the junction between crossbar and post, to the keeper’s left, before being cleared to safety. Oban Camanachd’s fitness looked good and, with just 12 minutes remaining, they finally breached the Fort William rear-guard when Daniel MacVicar poked the ball home from around four yards out to make it 1-0. Then, just a minute from time, Daniel Cameron made it 2-0. Again, the goal came from close range with Cameron close to the goal-line when he turned the ball home.
Newtonmore 3 Kyles Athletic 1 Newtonmore and Kyles Athletic met in a 1pm throw up at the Eilan and it was the home side who won 3-1. Iain Robinson bagged a brace for ‘More with former Kilmallie player Craig McIsaac getting the other from the penalty spot. Kyles are captained by Ross Macrae this season and their goal came from Roddy MacDonald. After the final whistle, the Glenmorangie Shield was presented to new Newtonmore captain Conor Jones by ‘More Chairman Norman MacArthur.
Spey Win Liz Young Sixes Six sides took part as Spey won the Liz Young Sixes, hosted by Kingussie at Dalfaber on Saturday. Spey defeated Feshie 4-2 following an exciting, end-to-end, final. The Liz Young memorial rosebowl was presented to Spey skipper Iain Fraser by Mason Paxton, Liz Young’s great grandson. The winning Spey side was: Rory McGregor, Lee Bain, Michael Slimon, Iain Fraser, Calum MacKintosh, Megan Ralph
Lochaber 5 Inverness 1 Lochaber made a winning start to their preseason, defeating Inverness 5-1 in their 1.30pm throw up at a cold and wet Spean Bridge. Ben Delaney scored twice for the Spean side with Conor Sweeney also on target. Danny Delaney converted a penalty with Stuart Callison, back in the side after a season with Kilmallie, getting the other.
Na Gaeil Óga 9 Skye Camanachd 54 Skye endured an eventful flight the day before their shinty / hurling meeting Na Gaeil Óga at Phoenix Park, Dublin. The Islanders were due to land at Dublin Airport but were forced to divert to Shannon Airport, County Clare as someone in the vicinity was flying a drone. A two-hour bus journey north followed. Throw up was at noon and Skye were too strong for their Irish opponents, inflicting a 54-9 thrashing. Skye found the back of the net no fewer than fifteen times with Sam Stubbs scoring a debut hat-trick and Neil MacVicar and Jordan Murchison also getting trebles. Kenny Cushnie scored twice on his first start with Will Cowie, Ross Gordon, Jamie Gillies and James Pringle getting the others.
Kinlochshiel under-30s 2 Kinlochshiel over-30s 3 The Kinlochshiel over-30s claimed the bragging rights when they beat the Kinlochshiel under-30s 3-2 at Kirkton. Archie MacRae and Donald Nixon scored for the young team but Ian “Jek” MacKenzie, Duncan “Ach” MacRae and Duncan “DA” MacRae ensured that experience won the day.
Lovat 2 Strathglass 1 Lovat came from behind to beat Strathglass 2-1 in their 2pm throw up at Balgate. Penri Jones put Strathglass ahead with the only goal of the first half. Graeme MacMillan drew Lovat level and Greg Matheson scored what proved to be the winner. An under-strength Lovat did have Callum Cruden back from injury and they were denied a bigger winning margin by some great goalkeeping.
Aberdour 1 Newtonmore 4 The Newtonmore second team beat Aberdour 4-1 in their 1.30pm throw up at Silversands. The first half ended goalless however, early in the second half, Glen MacKintosh gave ‘More the lead. Kyle Clark added a second before David MacKenzie pulled a goal back. However another from Glen MacKintosh and a first goal at this level for Aarron Ford made the final score 4-1.
Bute 6 Kyles Athletic 0 The Bute second team beat their Kyles Athletic counterparts 6-0. Neil Mckirdy grabbed a hat-trick, John Wilson a double and Aiden Macgregor got the other. On a good day for the Islanders, Jayden McLachlan, Regan Craig, Kieran Stirling all played having made the step-up from the club’s under-14 side.
Glengarry P Glenurquhart P The match between Glengarry and Glenurquhart at Craigard was called off on Friday.
Boleskine P Strathspey Camanachd P The match between Boleskine and Strathspey Camanachd was called off as both clubs found their pitches adversely affected by the heavy rain. |