The Golden Oldies lifted the John MacKinnon Memorial Shinty Sixes Shield following a twelve-team tournament at the Portree High School Astro pitch on Saturday 9 January 2016.
John MacKinnon
John MacKinnon was a regular at Skye Camanachd games both at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree and on the mainland.
His son Ewen MacKinnon was the youngest member of the Skye Camanachd side which won the 1990 Camanachd Cup when they beat Newtonmore 4-1 at An Aird, Fort William.
The family connection continues with John’s grandson Iain Nicolson back playing for Skye after a spell with Lovat.
John MacKinnon’s firm Skye Transport was a well-established haulage business which provided much needed local employment. It is now part of the Ferguson Transport Group. John was also a generous sponsor of Skye Camanachd and was always on hand to provide advice on many matters.
John’s contribution was recognised when he was made a Skye Camanachd Vice-President and his tragic passing on Thursday 22 December 2011, following an accident at work, left a void at the Island club.
Event Details
The John MacKinnon Memorial Shinty Sixes is an invitational tournament and each squad must include an over 45 player, an U17 player and a ladies player in their squad.
There is a Shield for the winners, medals for the winners and runners up, as well as awards for:
- Overall Player of the Tournament
- Ladies Player of the Tournament
- Over 45 Player of the Tournament
- U17 Player of the Tournament.
The teams are split into two leagues and played a round-robin set of fixtures. The winners and runners up from each section progress to the semi-final stage.
The league games last seven minutes and the semi-finals and final for ten minutes. The league games are played straight through whilst the semi-finals and finals see a change of ends at half time.
The nominated ladies player in each team has to play full game and the nominated over 45 player has to play for at least half of each match.
An additional bonus point is on offer for each goal scored by the nominated ladies player or the over 45 player.
The nominated U17 players are asked to wear white helmets.
Goals can only be scored inside the opposition half.
If teams are level on points at the end of the league games, the final positions are decided on goal difference. If teams are equal on goal difference, then the team scoring most goals goes through to the semi-final stage.
If teams are level after full time in the semi-final and final, there will be a period of five minutes extra-time. If teams are still level, there will be a penalty shoot-out with each team taking three penalties by three nominated penalty takers - one of whom must be a lady and one an over 45 and one an U17.
Davie MacVicar is the event organiser.
An overnight frost led to an early morning pitch inspection but the tournament was given the go-ahead and, with two pitches set up, the teams were drawn into two leagues as follows:
League 1
MacVicar’s Four Plus Fours
Ruthven Rovers
Achmore & More
Lochcarron
Dublusee “A”
Baker’s Dozen Minus 5
League 2
Beag’s Bhoys
Golden Oldies
‘Shiel Cobras
North End
Glengarry
Braes
MacVicar’s Four Plus Four 3 Dublusee “A”
A nice run and finish from Allan MacKinnon resulted in the tournament’s opening goal. Kenny Ross cracked home the second with Allan MacKinnon notching his second to round off a 3-0 win.
Beag’s Bhoys 1 Braes 2
Danny Morrison gave Kenny Campbell’s wonderfully named Beag’s Bhoys the lead but Shockie MacLennan levelled from the penalty spot. Shockie MacLennan crashed home his second right on the final whistle to give his side a winning start.
Baker’s Dozen Minus 5 4 Achmore & More 1
David Falconer gave Achmore the lead but doubles from Ally “Spod” MacLeod and Connor Gilpin gave Bakers’ team a 4-1 win.
Golden Oldies 2 ‘Shiel Cobras 0
Two of the early favourites met and two firm strikes from Jordan Murchison gave the holders a 2-0 triumph.
Lochcarron 0 Ruthven Rovers 2
A rocket shot from Bob MacGregor put the Kingussie-based side ahead. Dylan Borthwick added a second to give Ruthven Rovers a 2-0 victory.
North End 0 Glengarry 0
It took a couple of flying saves from North End keeper Ally Morrison and some stout defending from Ally MacDonald to keep Glengarry at bay. Steven Cameron was a real threat for the Craigard Park side but the teams had to settle for a point apiece.
Achmore & More 0 Dublusee “A” 0
Achmore & More and Dublusee “A” shared the points following a goalless s draw. The match was marred by an accidental collision which saw Dublusee’s Lorna MacRae fall and dislocate her elbow. Skye Camanachd medics Dr Wilson Banks and Helen Gilpin were on hand to provide immediate treatment and an ambulance was called. We wish Lorna a speedy recovery.
‘Shiel Cobras 1 Braes 0
A powerful strike from Jordan Fraser put ‘Shiel Cobras ahead and Iain Murray in the Braes goal made a couple of good saves to stop his side going further behind.
Ruthven Rovers 1 MacVicar’s Four Plus Four 1
This was a keenly contested encounter between two sides who, even at this early stage in the tournament, seemed destined to go far. Both keepers – Elizabeth MacGregor for Ruthven Rovers and Kenny Ross for MacVicar’s Four Plus Four – made good saves. A low shot from the impressive Rory MacGregor gave Ruthven Rovers the lead. However MacVicar’s Four Plus Four equalised when Allan MacKinnon steered a rebound into the net to make it 1-1 after keeper Elizabeth MacGregor had made another save.
Glengarry 0 Beag’s Bhoys 0
This was an even affair. Both sides threatened but neither was able to break the deadlock so a share of the points was the outcome.
Lochcarron 1 Baker’s Dozen Minus 5 0
Lochcarron recorded their first win, beating Bakers’ Dozen Minus 5 by a single goal. The strike was arguably the goal of the tournament as Matthew Young took down a goal-hit before crashing the ball into the top corner of the net from the middle of the park. It was a goal worthy of winning any game.
North End 0 Golden Oldies 0
The closest we came to a goal was a rasping Jordan Murchison drive at one end with Kenny MacLeod going close at the other end.
Achmore & More 0 MacVicar’s Four Plus Four 2
Neil MacVicar scored twice as MacVicar’s Four Plus Four beat Achmore & More 2-0. Indeed MacVicar was denied a hat-trick when he had the ball in the ball of the net for a third time but his effort was ruled out for a “kick” prior to netting.
Beag’s Bhoys 2 ‘Shiel Cobras 2
There was plenty of goalmouth action as Beag’s Bhoys and ‘Shiel Cobras shared the points. Holly MacLean slipped the ball home give ‘Shiel Cobras the lead. The strike also earned a bonus point for the team. However Beag’s Bhoys player / manager Kenny Campbell levelled straight from the restart. A Danny Morrison back-hand strike put Beag’s Bhoys back in front but again there was an immediate response as Jordan Fraser made it 2-2.
Baker’s Dozen Minus 5 0 Ruthven Rovers 2
Ruthven Rovers notched their second win and they picked up a bonus point into the bargain thanks to Kirsty Deans’ opening goal. Bob MacGregor added a second to seal the win.
Glengarry 0 Golden Oldies 0
Keepers Gordon MacDonald for Glengarry and Peter Gordon for the Golden Oldies had still to concede a goal after their first two fixtures and they both kept a third clean sheet following this goalless encounter.
Lochcarron 2 Dublusee “A” 1
Matthew Young put Lochcarron ahead but Ross Gordon quickly equalised. However Matthew Young bagged his third goal of the tournament to give Lochcarron a second win.
North End 0 Braes 0
North End keeper Ally Morrison was again in top form as North End and Braes shared the points in a 0-0 draw.
Ruthven Rovers 1 Achmore & More 2
One of the surprise results of the day saw Achmore & More beat the more fancied Ruthven Rovers 2-1. There was an element of luck to the Achmore opener as the ball deflected past keeper Elizabeth MacGregor off her brother Rory MacGregor’s caman. Davie Anderson offered up a quick response and his goal earned a bonus point for Ruthven Rovers. The winning goal was scored by Oliver MacRae to give Achmore & More their first win.
‘Shiel Cobras 2 Glengarry 1
A Jordan Fraser double cancelled out a Steven Cameron penalty to give ‘Shiel Cobras a 2-1 victory over Glengarry.
Dublusee “A” 1 Baker’s Dozen Minus 5 3
Jenna Beaton turned a Thomas Wilson cross from the right into the net to give Baker’s Dozen Minus 5 a 1-0 lead. Ross Gordon scored his second goal of the tournament to make it 1-1. Two goals form Thomas Wilson and Daniel Morrison gave Baker’s Dozen Minus 5 a 3-1 win.
Braes 0 Golden Oldies 2
Jordan Murchison was again the difference as he opened the scoring in this encounter. The outcome remained in the balance until Jordan Murchison fired home his and his team’s second goal, his fourth of the afternoon so far, to clinch the points.
MacVicar’s Four Plus Four 2 Lochcarron 0
Allan MacKinnon scored from close range to give MacVicar’s Four Plus Four the lead. Neil MacVicar made it 2-0.
Beag’s Bhoy’s 0 North End 1
Kenny Campbell tried his best to push his side to victory and North End keeper Ally Morrison made a brilliant save from one attempt. However the winning goal came at the other end when Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod turned the ball into the net from close range to give North End all 3 points.
Ruthven Rovers 1 Dublusee “A” 0
A Kirsty Deans’ goal not only got Ruthven Rovers back on their winning ways but also earned the team a bonus point as a ladies scorer. The points secured a semi-final spot for the Kingussie-based side.
Glengarry 0 Braes 1
Shockie MacLennan’s third goal of the tournament earned Braes their second win and a creditable third place finish in League 2.
Achmore & More 3 Lochcarron 0
Achmore & More notched a second win, defeating Lochcarron 3-0. Archie MacRae was given a start in attack for Achmore & More and Lochcarron defender Dougie “Dan” MacKenzie had to keep a careful eye on the sprightly youngster. A David Falconer double and a goal from Duncan Matheson sealed the win.
‘Shiel Cobras 1 North End 0
The winners of this contest would reach the semi-finals. The only goal of the game was scored by Jordan Fraser – his fifth goal of the tournament - who took a touch to take the ball to the right and his blistering drive gave Ally Morrison in the North End goal no chance. The ‘Shiel Cobras reached the semi-finals whilst North End finished fourth in League 2.
MacVicar’s Four Plus Four 3 Baker’s Dozen Minus 5 0
MacVicar’s Four Plus Four won league 1 on goal difference after beating Baker’s Dozen Minus 5 3-0. Kenny Ross scored twice with Allan MacKinnon getting the other.
Beag’s Bhoys 0 Golden Oldies 2
The Golden Oldies finished top of League 2, ahead of ‘Shiel Cobras on goal difference, after they beat Beag’s Bhoys 2-0. Jordan Murchison made it 1-0 with his fifth goal of the afternoon and he had scored all the Golden Oldies goals up to this point. A fine strike from John Gillies made it 2-0 and rounded off the league sections.
John MacKinnon Memorial Shinty Sixes - Semi-Finals
MacVicar’s Four Plus Four 1 ‘Shiel Cobras 0
With the top two places in both leagues decided on goal difference, the last four games were always going to be close.
The only goal of the game came seconds after referee Donnie Martin started the contest. The ball was quickly played forward to Jamie MacVicar and he launched a brilliant shot goalwards which flew into the net to give MacVicar’s Four Plus Four a 1-0 lead.
Allan MacKinnon went closest to getting a second goal but was denied by a good save.
The outcome was in the balance until the final whistle but Jamie MacVicar’s goal was enough to take MacVicar’s Four Plus Four into the final.
Golden Oldies 2 Ruthven Rovers 1
This was another keenly contested encounter and it took a good save with his feet from Peter Gordon to deny Ruthven Rovers’ full centre Rory MacGregor an opener.
However the opening goal came at the other end when Jordan Murchison scrambled the ball home after an initial John Gillies shot was blocked.
And it was Jordan Murchison who would strike the ball high into the net to make it 2-0; taking his tournament tally to seven goals which made him the day’s top scorer.
Ruthven Rovers ensured the Golden Oldies would have an anxious final few minutes when a rare Calum Grant goal made it 2-1. This was the only goal Golden Oldies keeper Peter Gordon conceded in the whole tournament.
However referee John Angus Gillies’ final whistle marked a third consecutive MacKinnon Sixes final for the Golden Oldies.
John MacKinnon Memorial Shinty Sixes - Final
Golden Oldies 1 MacVicar’s Four Plus Four 0 (after extra-time)
The Golden Oldies retained the MacKinnon Sixes Shield but it took extra-time to see off a dogged MacVicar Four Plus Four side.
This contest wasn’t for the faint-hearted and the full centres locked horns early on. First Ewen “Crossal” MacKinnon put in a crunching challenge on Allan MacKinnon which drew a free-hit. Allan MacKinnon then returned the compliment by taking out his opposing number just a couple of minutes later prompting another shrill of referee John Angus Gillies’ whistle.
The closest we came to a first half goal was an Allan MacKinnon strike which nestled in the side-netting.
Both teams made changes at the start of the second half. The Golden Oldies moved John Gillies, who was having a fine tournament, to full centre whilst Davie MacVicar came on in goal for MacVicar Four Plus Four with Kenny Ross moving outfield.
There was a controversial moment mid-way through the second half when Allan MacKinnon and John Gillies clashed in the middle of the park. Gillies took a knock to the head and went down. The referee’s whistle sounded for a free-hit just seconds before Allan MacKinnon lashed a glorious drive into the back of the net so the final remained scoreless.
Davie MacVicar then had to come off his line to halt an Iain Nicolson run and it became clear that one goal would likely win the day.
As the final moved into the closing stages of the regulation 10 minutes, Davie MacVicar was the busier of the two keepers.
With no further scoring, a 5 minute extra-time period ensued.
The Golden Oldies attacked straight from the throw up and Davie MacVicar did well to save with his legs from Jordan Murchison’s drive.
Play switched to the other end and Kenny Ross played in Anna MacDonald but she was unable to get a shot goalwards.
The final was settled on two pieces of brilliance. First Kenny Ross conjured up a spectacular shot from wide on the left but keeper Peter Gordon pulled of a superb save, stretching to turn the ball away with his caman, just under the bar.
The winning goal was also something special. Peter Gordon launched a goal-hit forward into the opposing goal area and Iain Nicolson took the ball down before turning and sending a clean strike into the net to break the deadlock.
There were only around 60 seconds remaining and it was poignant that the winning goal would come from Iain Nicolson; John MacKinnon’s Grandson.
Golden Oldies from: Peter Gordon; John Gillies, Caitlin MacLean; Ewen MacKinnon; Jordan Murchison, Iain Nicolson; subs John “Slippy” Finlayson, Willie Cowie, Abby MacLean
MacVicar’s Four Plus Four from: Kenny Ross; Neil MacVicar, Neil John Campbell; Allan MacKinnon; Jamie MacVicar, Anna MacDonald; subs Davie MacVicar, Andrew MacVicar
Tournament Referees – John Angus Gillies & Donnie Martin
Soup and sandwiches were provided in the Skye Camanachd Clubhouse at 3.30pm ahead of the Shield presentation and the Player of the Tournament awards.
MacKinnon Memorial Shinty Sixes - Players of the Tournament
Ladies Player of the Tournament – Caitlin MacLean (Golden Oldies)
U17 Player of the Tournament - John Gillies (Golden Oldies)
Over 45 Player of the Tournament - Ally Morrison (North End)
Overall Player of the Tournament - Allan MacKinnon (MacVicar’s Four Plus Four)
John MacKinnon Memorial Shinty Sixes - Event Sponsors – Skye Camanachd would like to acknowledge the generous support of competition sponsors Highland Industrial Supplies and they would also like to thank the Shinty Shop for their continued support.