The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 17 May 2014 | |
18 May 2014 There was another mixture of league and cup shinty action with the wet and windy weather causing some disruption on Saturday 17 May 2014.
RBS MacTavish Cup - Semi Finals Glenurquhart 1 Newtonmore 1 (Glenurquhart won 2-1 on penalties) Glenurquhart are once more through to the RBS MacTavish Cup Final following a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Newtonmore in their 3.30pm throw up at Blairbeg. Glenurquhart’s Michael Brady served a one match ban for a points accumulation and Ally MacKintosh remained sidelined through injury. Newtonmore were without the injured Paul MacArthur and Norman Campbell was only fit enough for a place on the bench. However Glen MacKintosh returned to the side. Newtonmore suffered an early blow when Danny MacRae had to leave the field after going over on his ankle and his injury will cause concern to the Newtonmore camp. After a scoreless first half, Calum Stewart put Newtonmore ahead after 63 minutes. However Glenurquhart fought back and David Smart levelled with just 10 minutes remaining. Glenurquhart had a chance to win it at the death when referee Evan MacRae pointed to the penalty spot. Regular penalty taker Stuart MacKintosh, who has a good record from the spot, stepped up but Michael Ritchie saved his effort. Neale Reid netted from the rebound but the goal was ruled out as another player was offside. There was no scoring during the extra time period although Newtonmore did take the opportunity to introduce Norman Campbell onto the field of play. The tie had to be decided on the day and the drama intensified as the penalty shoot-out unfolded. Glen’s Lewis MacLennan and ‘More’s Norman Campbell were the only two players to convert from the first ten spot-hits. Visiting keeper Michael Ritchie denied James MacPherson, Stuart MacKintosh, John Barr and Neale Reid. Home goalie Stuart MacKintosh saved from Glen MacKintosh, Michael Ritchie and Steven MacDonald. So the tie went to a sudden death shoot-out. When Newtonmore’s Norman Campbell missed from the spot, Glenurquhart keeper Stuart MacKintosh stepped forward, having already been foiled twice from the spot, but he proved that old adage of third time lucky when, to the delight of the home support, he forced the ball past Michael Ritchie to earn a place in the final.
Kinlochshiel A Lovat A Holders Lovat and Kinlochshiel will have to do it all over again after their semi final tie at Kirkton was abandoned after 20 minutes by referee John Angus Gillies. After a dry morning, the west coast was hit by constant rain and the grade one official deemed it unsafe to continue play so the sides will meet next weekend with ‘Shiel losing home advantage.
AJG Parcels Glasgow Celtic Society Cup - Semi Finals Inveraray 2 Oban Camanachd 1 Inveraray were 2-1 winners over Oban Camanachd in their last four clash at the Winterton. Inveraray player / co-manager Garry MacPherson was still out with a hand injury. The home side were also without Douglas Dando who has a knee injury and Grant Griffin who has an ankle problem. Stuart Robertson was ruled out through work commitments. However David MacPherson was included in the squad after six weeks out and he took a place on the bench. Oban Camanachd were without the suspended Garry Lord who served a one game ban for a points accumulation. However David Lafferty was free of his suspension. Two quick goals from Neil Campbell on 18 and 19 minutes allowed Inveraray to play with some confidence against a very good, young Oban Camanachd team. The visitors had a chance to pull a goal back when referee Billy Wotherspoon awarded them a penalty but home keeper Graham MacPherson saved the spot-hit. Iain MacMillan did score for Oban Camanachd on 38 minutes but they were unable to get a leveller. Inveraray were well served by defender John Kennedy who did a fine marking job on visiting danger-man Andrew MacCuish.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 0 Kyles Athletic 3 Kyles Athletic set up a repeat of last year’s AJG Parcels Glasgow Celtic Society Final when they beat Glasgow Mid Argyll 3-0 at Yoker. Kyles included Grant Irvine in their line-up but they were without talisman Roddy MacDonald. Kyles were superb in the first half with Roberto Zavaroni putting them ahead on 6 minutes. Thomas Whyte made it 2-0 on 29 minutes whilst Roberto Zavaroni got his second and Kyles third just 60 seconds later. Kyles beat Inveraray on penalties last year after the teams couldn’t be separated following 120 minutes shinty. This year’s final, which will be televised live, is sure to be another close encounter.
RBS MacTavish Plate - Semi Finals Skye Camanachd 3 Inverness 1 Skye Camanachd will meet Fort William in the inaugural RBS MacTavish Plate Final after they beat Inverness 3-1 in their 3pm throw up at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Kenny Campbell returned for the Islanders after missing the previous weekend’s Balliemore Cup quarter final win over Strathglass and he started on the bench. Inverness missed defender Daniel Palombo, midfielder Craig Nicolson and forward John MacLennan. After three consecutive away matches, the Skye Camanachd first team were happy to be at home but the match was played in quite difficult conditions. Will Cowie shot low into the net to give Skye a 4 minute lead. However Inverness bounced straight back and Martin Davidson levelled after 12 minutes. Shockie MacLennan continued his good scoring run when he made it 2-1 after 25 minutes. Inverness were never out of the tie but when Skye were awarded a penalty on 83 minutes for a kick inside the D, Will Cowie confidently blasted the spot-hit high into the net to make it 3-1. Skye will face Marine Harvest National Division side Fort William in the RBS MacTavish Plate Final on Saturday 7 June. Inverness and Skye Camanachd will cross camans again next weekend, this time in what is sure to be a close Marine Harvest North Division 1 encounter at the Bught Park.
Fort William W/O v Boleskine Fort William were given a walk-over into the RBS MacTavish Plate Final when Boleskine were unable to raise a team for their trip to An Aird.
South of Scotland Senior Plate - Semi Finals Aberdour 2 Bute 2 (Aberdour won 3-2 on penalties) Aberdour are through to their first major final after they beat Bute on penalties at Silver Sands. Both teams had just twelve players and Aberdour had to make a late change as their regular keeper was stranded between Aberdeen and Dundee when his car broke down so Michael Lightbody stepped in between the sticks. Bute made the better start to the game and pinned back the home side. However when Aberdour came to terms with the pace of the match, it became an enthralling end-to-end encounter. After a goalless first half, Aberdour went ahead on the hour mark as Cameron MacCue steered the ball home. John MacCallum levelled for Bute on 78 minutes only for Darren Coyle to put Aberdour back in front just a couple of minutes later. And that’s the way it stayed until the final minute when John MacCallum’s second goal of the game made it 2-2. With no scoring during the extra time period, referee Lachie Wood took the tie to a penalty shoot-out. The sides were level with two scores each after the first ten penalties with John Martin Philips and Sam Evans converting for Aberdour. The shoot-out then went to sudden death and Darren Coyle netted Aberdour’s sixth penalty to win the tie.
Ballachulish A Strachur A Aberdour will have to wait to see who they will face in the final as the 3pm throw up between Ballachulish and Strachur at Jubilee Park was abandoned by referee John MacGregor as the field became unplayable. Ballachulish were leading 2-0 at the time thanks to goals from Grant MacKenzie after 12 minutes and Scott Henderson just 3 minutes later. Strachur were without the suspended Ross MacDonald but he will have to serve his ban when the teams do it all over again at Strachurmore this coming Saturday.
Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup - Second Round Bute 1 Lochside Rovers 1 (Lochside Rovers won 1-0 on penalties) It took penalties to separate Bute and Lochside Rovers at the Meadows. Jonathon Will put the Oban side ahead after 26 minutes but the Islanders levelled on 70 minutes thanks to a Chris MacMillan own goal. Referee Euan Pearson took the tie to extra time and then penalties with Lochside Rovers winning the shoot-out 1-0.
Glenurquhart 6 Col Glen 0 Glenurquhart comfortably saw off Col Glen with a 6-0 win in their 12.30pm throw up at Blairbeg. Glenurquhart’s David MacLennan served a one match ban. Ruairidh Cameron was back in the Glenurquhart side and he gave them an 8 minute lead. Jack Hosie made it 2-0 on 21 minutes and the same player added a third on 32 minutes. Ruairidh Cameron also got a second a minutes before the break to make it 4-0. Late goals from Cairn Urquhart on 74 minutes and player / manager Iain MacLeod just 5 minutes from time rounded off a 6-0 win and gave Glenurquhart a place in the next round.
Strathdearn Cup – First Round Kilmallie 2 Beauly 1 Marine Harvest North Division 3 side Kilmallie beat Beauly from Marine Harvest North Division 2 in their noon throw up at the Canal Parks. Steven MacKenzie put Beauly ahead but Innes Blackhall made it 1-1. Craig MacIsaac scored what turned out to be the winner for Kilmallie.
Orion Group Premiership Kingussie 5 Lochaber 0 Kingussie went within a point of joint leaders Newtonmore and Lovat as they beat Lochaber 5-0 at the Dell. This was the third meeting between the sides this season with Kingussie also winning the two previous encounters. Calum MacDonald was still missing for Lochaber so Bryn Whittaker continued in goal. Fraser Munro’s stag weekend deprived Kingussie of a number of players last weekend, but they were more along usual lines this week and it was prospective groom Munro who opened the scoring after 9 minutes. Kingussie were without Ronald Ross but the goals flowed none the less. Savio Genini made it 2-0 with half an hour played and Lee Bain added a third a couple of minutes later. Late second goals for Fraser Munro on 78 minutes and Lee Bain on 82 minutes completed the 5-0 win. Lochaber created several chances throughout the match but they found Craig Dawson in the home goal to be in inspired form. Kingussie have played a game more than the joint leaders but they will still surely be satisfied with their points tally as they start the second half of their league programme. The news isn’t so good for Lochaber as they remain bottom of the table with one point from their first six matches. Bizarrely, this was Kingussie’s second last home league match of the season; their last encounter being against Newtonmore in August.
Marine Harvest National Division Glenorchy 0 Beauly 5
Beauly go second in the table after their 5-0 win over Glenorchy at Mart Park. Jack MacDonald gave Beauly the lead and Calum Morrison made it 2-0. Jack MacDonald added his second to make it 3-0. David MacLean was on target to make it 4-0 and Jack MacDonald rounded off a good day for Beauly when he completed his hat-trick to make it 5-0.
Kilmallie A Caberfeidh A The 3pm throw up between Kilmallie and Caberfeidh at the Canal Parks was abandoned as the worsening west coast weather meant the field became unplayable. Kilmallie led 1-0 at the time thanks to a Martin Stewart strike.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Lovat 0 Strathglass 2 A goal in each half meant Strathglass move within a point of league leaders Skye Camanachd following their 2-0 win over the Lovat second team in their 11am throw up at Balgate. Gordon Fraser gave Strathglass a 16 minute lead and a goal from Robert Geddes 9 minutes from time sealed the win.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Kyles Athletic 8 Oban Celtic 0 Kyles Athletic are now three points clear at the top of the table after they beat bottom side Oban Celtic 8-0 in their meeting at Tighnabruaich. Kenny Wotherspoon was free of suspension for Oban Celtic. Roddy MacColl, Matthew MacColl, Gordon Whyte, Ewan Mitchell, Conor Giudici, Innes MacDonald and a Scott MacDonald double secured Kyles win. Although Kyles have a cushion at the top of the table, they have played more games than their rivals.
Taynuilt 2 Kilmory 1 Taynuilt recorded their first league win of the season in only their second league match as they defeated Kilmory 2-0 at the Playing Field. David Graham gave Taynuilt the lead with a goal on 20 minutes. Graham got his and Taynuilt’s second 5 minutes into the second half and although Calum MacKinven pulled a goal back for Kilmory on 75 minutes, Taynuilt stayed in front to take the points.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Skye Camanachd 1 Glengarry 1 Skye Camanachd and Glengarry drew 1-1 in their noon throw up at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Skye included David Grant in their line-up. Both sides had early chances before a brilliant turn and explosive shot from Angie MacDonald gave Skye a 31 minute lead. The Islanders had the better of the first half but it was a different story in the second period. Daniel MacLennan collected a clearance out of the Skye defence and fired a 25 yard shot into the net to level on 48 minutes. A brilliant Iain MacLeod save just under the crossbar denied Daniel MacLennan a winner and earned Skye a share of the points. Glengarry are now a point clear of second place Fort William at the top of the table but they have played a game more.
Lochcarron 3 Kinlochshiel 0 Lochcarron were 3-0 winners in their noon derby meeting with the Kinlochshiel second team at Battery Park. ‘Shiel fielded a young side although they did benefit from the inclusion of Graham Morrison. Lochcarron veteran Gregor Cushnie scored the only goal of the first half when his 38 minute strike made it 1-0. It took two late goals to seal the win with Sean MacCuish making it 2-0 after 70 minutes and Gregor Cushnie getting his second and Lochcarron’s third just 8 minutes from time. Lochcarron go fourth with five points but they have only played three games; fewer than any other clubs in the league.
Aberdeen University 2 Lochaber 3 Lochaber beat Aberdeen University by the odd goal in five at Balgownie. Lochaber were boosted by Ben Delaney’s inclusion. Mark Fraser and player / manager Jamie Beaton were on target for the Students but a Ben Delaney double and a goal from U17 player Stuart Matheson gave Lochaber the points. Aberdeen University remain at the foot of the table but they have a game in hand on Kinlochshiel who are a place above them.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Tayforth 3 Glenorchy 0 Tayforth returned to the top of the league with a 3-0 win over a young Glenorchy side at Musselburgh. The home side played with the elements in the first half and both sides hit the frame of the goal in the opening period. Tayforth went in front on 27 minutes when Somhairle Fraser cut in from the left before tucking a low shot in to the net. Steven Thomson made it 2-0 just 4 minutes later with another low drive. Glenorchy came much more into the game after the restart. However they were unable to reduce the deficit and Steven Thomson got his second and Tayforth’s third just 4 minutes from time to make it 3-0.
Ballachulish 5 Aberdour 1 Ballachulish beat Aberdour 5-1 in their noon reserve meeting at Jubilee Park. Lewis Bryson gave Balla’ a 17 minute lead and a Stewart Robertson double on 34 and 37 minutes made it 3-0 at the break. Aberdour Ladies player Niamh Donnelly pulled a goal back after 75 minutes However two late Balla’ goals from Patrick MacLean on 80 minutes and Lewis Bryson’s second just 6 minutes from time made it 5-1.
Marine Harvest North Division 3 Lewis Camanachd 1 Caberfeidh 5 Lewis Camanachd welcomed table toppers Caberfeidh to Shawbost for what was the Islanders’ first home match of the season. However it was Caberfeidh who extended their lead at the top of the table with a 5-1 win. Colin MacLennan grabbed a hat-trick whilst Ruairidh McCreadie and Trevor Innes got the others. Duncan MacIntyre replied for Lewis who were without defender Eoghan Stewart. Cabers are now three points clear of second place Lochbroom who have a game in hand and the top two meet at Castle Leod this coming weekend.
Strathspey Camanachd 6 Inverness 0 Strathspey Camanachd recovered from their heavy cup defeat to Kyles Athletic last weekend to beat Inverness 6-0 at Grantown Grammar School. Paul Bowman started a two match ban for Inverness after his red card against Lochbroom last weekend. Donald Colville grabbed a hat-trick for the home side whilst top scorer Andrew Hay, Edgars Peca and a Ruaridh MacLennan own goal counted for their others. |