Skye Camanachd Lift 2016 Mod Cup - Lewis Camanachd 0 Skye Camanachd 3 | |
18 October 2016 The Skye Camanachd second team scored three times in the second half to beat Lewis Camanachd 3-0 and lift the Mod Cup at a wet and windy Shawbost on Saturday 15 October 2016. The Mod Cup is contested between the two shinty teams based closest to that particular year’s Royal National Mod. Oban Camanachd were victors in 2015. Lewis Camanachd were previous winners in 2011 when they beat Uist Camanachd 2-0. Three time winners Skye Camanachd’s last success came in 1998 although the Kyleakin youths were winners in Harris in 2001. Lewis Camanachd hadn’t played competitively since they beat the Inverness second team 4-1 at Shawbost on Saturday 3 September 2016. Duncan MacIntyre’s side were along usual lines although Innes Lamont was missing as was former Skye player Stuart Campbell. The Skye colts went into this 2pm throw up on the back of a 2-0 derby win over the Kinlochshiel colts. They were without Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod who was on first team duty whilst youngsters Ruaraidh MacLeod, Connor Gilpin and Ross Gordon were all on holiday. Skye reserve team boss Davie Pringle named a squad with an age group ranging from 14 to 50 years. There was a place in the squad for 14 year old Martin Pringle who scored in the win over the Kinlochshiel second team a week earlier whilst there was also a call up to the travelling party for Skye’s 1990 Camanachd Cup winner Peter Gordon and he started at full forward. The weather was poor and made it difficult for both teams. There was strong cross-wind, heavy rain and it was a very cold day into the bargain. The pitch seemed narrower than when Skye last visited their Island friends and the opening exchanges were fairly even. Skye enjoyed most of the first half pressure with their centre line of Iain MacLellan, Ross Nicolson and full centre David MacInnes taking a grip of the game. However a combination of some rustiness in their attack, a lack of space and some brave defending by Lewis, especially full back Daniel Gallagher, meant the visitors were unable to break the deadlock in the first half. Lewis did create chances though, especially towards the end of the first half, and Will Church blasted one effort wide of goal. The battle and banter between full centres David MacInnes and Paul Duke was one of the highlights of the first 45 minutes with referee Henry MacInnes also chipping in his tuppence worth. Skye made changes at the break and both sides had near-misses early in the second half. With match approaching the hour mark, Skye took the lead. Iain MacLellan gathered the ball in a wide position on the Skye left and he played it to Peter Gordon on the left of the D. Gordon turned and fired a back-hand strike which clipped a helpless keeper Graham Cay on the shoulder on the way into the net. A delighted Gordon turned away in celebration - Pistol Pete style – and it was his last action of the game as Skye boss Davie Pringle started to ring the changes. Lewis passed up a couple of chance to equalise shortly after but Ryan Morrison looked secure in the goal whenever the home attack breached the Skye defence. Further goals followed to seal the win. With just under 20 minutes remaining, Iain MacLellan, now in the full forward position, ran out to the right wing to collect the ball. MacLellan turned his marker before dribbling the ball into the D, beating another defender and then slotting the ball into the bottom left corner of the net for what was a fine individual goal. Veterans Kenny MacLeod and Scott Martin were now coming into their own and, just a minute later, it was 3-0. Iain MacLellan played a corner to the back post, just outside the D, where Kenny MacLeod hit a good strike which squeezed past goalie Graham Carey and into the net. Lewis came close to getting a deserved goal when former Lochcarron player Kenny Murray hit the side-netting late on. The Skye Camanachd second team opened the 2016 shinty season with a 3-0 win over Lewis Camanachd in their Kaid MacLean Cup match at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree and they finished their campaign with the same score against the same opponents in this Mod Cup meeting at Shawbost. An Comunn Gàidhealach President John MacLeod presented the Mod Cup to Skye Camanachd captain David Grant. To cap a fine day for Skye, their forward Daniel Morrison was named man of the match; the choice of referee Henry MacInnes. Brothers David MacInnes and John Angus MacInnes also played well for Skye whilst youngsters Calum Robertson and Martin Pringle did well, taking the chance to shine. Peter Gordon has maybe lost a yard (or two) of pace but he hasn't lost any of his skill and he took his goal well. Iain MacLennan, particularly when he went into the forward line, and Kenny MacLeod were also key for Skye. Lewis were well saved by keeper Graham Cay who made several great saves. The home defence, especially in the first half, turned in a solid performance. Forwards, Will Church, in what was to prove to be his last game for Lewis, and Kenny Murray looked dangerous when the ball was played up to them. Lewis Camanachd from: (to follow) Skye Camanachd from: Ryan Morrison; David Grant (captain), Calum Gibb, Andrew Banks, John Angus MacInnes; Iain MacLellan, David MacInnes, Ross Nicolson; Kenny MacLeod, Daniel Morrison, Scott Martin, Peter Gordon; subs Martin Pringle, Ian MacPherson, Calum Robertson Match Referee – Henry MacInnes |