Skye Camanachd 7 Oban Celtic 0 | |
28 August 2022 Skye Camanachd swept as side a depleted Oban Celtic side 7-0 in their 3pm throw up at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 27 August 2022. Whilst Oban Celtic travelled with William MacEwan as their only substitute, Skye were at full strength. Throw up is at 3pm and the whole match was broadcast live on Radio Skye’s Camanachd LIVE show, sponsored by Mowi. Referee Des McNulty was officiating his first match in Portree and from his opening whistle, Skye went on the attack. The Islanders broke Oban Celtic’s resistance on 9 minutes. Jordan Murchison’s shot was saved by Celtic’s stand-in keeper Joe MacVicar but the rebound came to Sorley MacDonald who slammed the ball home at the second attempt from the left of the D. Skye went on to score six more times during a devastating 22 minute spell. Jordan Murchison added a second from close range on 21 minutes following an unselfish James Pringle cut-back and Murchison completed his hat-trick with efforts on 27 and 29 minutes. First, William MacKinnon slipped a short ball to his brother Ross MacKinnon in midfield. Ross MacKinnon sent the ball long to Jordan Murchison and he turned and bulleted a shot by the keeper. Then, Celtic keeper Joe MacVicar made quick saves from Jordan Murchison and James Pringle but he was helpless as Murchison crashed the rebound home from wide on the left to make it 4-0. Sorley MacDonald got his second on 32 minutes following a nice passing move involving Will Cowie and James Pringle. MacDonald used his experience to calmly stroke the ball by the keeper. Will Cowie was injured in the move and was replaced by Taylor Matheson. The Oban Celtic defence was over-worked and frustrations rose and referee Des McNulty had a calming word with Andy MacDonald following a couple of rash swings when challenging Somhairle MacDonald. Jordan Murchison got his fourth goal of the game on 39 minutes with a spectacular strike, high into the goal following some more good build up play. As the half drew to a close, Skye claimed for a “kick” inside the D but with referee Des McNulty waving away their claims, the ball broke to Ross MacKinnon midway inside the Oban Celtic half and he sent a glorious drive which dipped under the crossbar to make it 7-0 with 43 minutes played. Skye introduced Ross Gordon and Martin Pringle at the break. Both players were late arrivals after attending John MacKinnon’s funeral in Sleat. The second half lacked the zip of the first period, due in no small part to a smarter Oban Celtic performance who deployed full centre Neil Carmichael in a deeper role. Skye also lacked the intensity of the opening period and the closest they came to extending their lead was on 73 minutes when Joe MacVicar made a terrific double save to deny Ross Gordon and then Jordan Murchison. The win takes Skye to within two points of league leaders Beauly with a game in hand as the championship race hots up. Skye Camanachd from: Murphy Henderson: John Gillies, Ally “Cleodi” Macleod (captain), James Morrison, William MacKinnon: Chris Rose, Ross MacKinnon, Iain MacLellan: Will Cowie, James Pringle, Somhairle MacDonald, Jordan Murchison: subs: Taylor Matheson, Martin Pringle, Ross Gordon Oban Celtic from: Joe MacVicar: Michael MacKinnon, David Hill, Craig MacMillan, Andy MacDonald: Lennon Campbell, Neil Carmichael, Ewen Campbell: Duncan MacEwan, Gabriel Tidser, Finlay Cameron, Scott Dempster: sub William MacEwan Match Referee – Des Mcnulty Goal Judges – Ian MacPherson & Archie Buchan Skye Camanachd home fixtures are sponsored by Macleod and MacCallum solicitors, estate agents and letting agents, serving the Highlands & Islands for more than 50 years. |