The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 11 September 2021 | |
12 September 2021 Inveraray and Glasgow Mid Argyll reached the Scottish Sea Farms Glasgow Celtic Society Cup semi-finals and Fort William, Kingussie and Newtonmore had good league wins following the shinty action on Saturday 11 September 2021.
Scottish Sea Farms Glasgow Celtic Society Cup – Quarter Finals Inveraray 3 Oban Celtic 0 Inveraray are through to the Scottish Sea Farms Glasgow Celtic Society Cup semi-finals after beating Oban Celtic 3-0 at the Winterton. Inveraray didn’t include Garry MacPherson who played so well against Skye the previous week whilst they were also without injured pair John Kennedy and Ally MacDonald. Oban Celtic, who hadn’t played for five weeks, travelled without keepers Allan Duncan and Jack Hill so outfield player David Hill played in goal. George MacMillan, Lennon Campbell and Duncan MacMillan were also missing. There was a place for Neil MacFarlane with Ross MacMillan starting in the half back position. An unfamiliar Celtic forward line included Neil Carmichael, hampered by an achilles injury, Keegan Macphee, Ewen Campbell and Duncan MacMillan. Campbell Watt got the opener on 12 minutes. A half-clearance out of the Oban Celtic defence broke to an unmarked Watt, 25 yards out on the left and he fired a clean strike home. The tie threatened to boil over at times before the first half drew to a close. Campbell Watt got his second on 55 minutes. The ball came out to Watt at the edge of the D following a melee and he made no mistake. Oban Celtic brought on youngster William MacEwan for the final 20 minutes with Joe MacVicar getting his first taste of shinty at this level just 5 minutes later. Ruaraidh Graham made it 3-0 a couple of minutes into stoppage time. The goal came following a corner with the ball coming out of the defence before being played back in. David Hill chested the ball down and Graham pushed the rebound into the goal to make it 3-0. There was only just enough time to restart the contest before referee David Mitchell blew for time and Inveraray now face Oban Camanachd in the semi-finals.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 8 Bute 0 Glasgow Mid Argyll were too strong for Bute, winning 8-0 in their 3pm throw up at Peterson Park. GMA boss Mark Bain had a strong squad to choose from with Oliver MacRae and John Don MacKenzie available again. Bute, by comparison, were short of several regulars for the journey south. Ewan Fraser has been a key figure for GMA since joining from Newtonmore and he put the hosts ahead on 4 minutes. Oliver MacRae on 20 minutes and Ally McKerracher on 28 minutes made it 3-0. Ewan Fraser and Ally McKerracher both got their seconds on 30 and 33 minutes respectively and the Glasgow side led 5-0 at half-time. Ewan Fraser completed his hat-trick on 71 minutes and Brian Slattery added a seventh on 75 minutes. The impressive Ewan Fraser had the final say with his fourth goal of the afternoon with just 5 minutes remaining. Glasgow Mid Argyll now meet Kyles Athletic in the semi-finals whilst Bute will look to bounce back against Beauly in the Alvance British Aluminium Balliemore Cup semi-finals a week Saturday.
cottages.com MacTavish Cup – Quarter Finals Fort William P Glenurquhart P The tie between Fort William and Glenurquhart at An Aird was called off because of covid restrictions and will be rescheduled.
Mowi Senior League A Fort William 5 Skye Camanachd 2 With both Fort William and Skye seeing their original fixtures postponed, a meeting between the sides at An Aid was quickly arranged. With Victor Smith unavailable, Fort William co-manager Adam Robertson took sole charge of the side. Johnny Foster and Ally MacRae were missing so Gordon Stephenson and Lewis Murphy came into the defence with Alexander Cameron going to full back. Calum Shepherd was out with a broken knuckle suffered in the last outing against Lochaber. Jack Fraser lined-up in midfield. Skye boss Kenny MacLeod was still without John Gillies so William MacKinnon continued at full back. Iain MacLellan started with Jamie Gillie dropping onto the bench. Skye lost defender Martin Pringle after just 5 minutes. Pringle was taken off as a precautionary measure with a tight hamstring and the forthcoming Alvance Balliemore Cup Final in mind. Jamie Gillies came on in attack, James Pringle dropped back into midfield with Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod moving into the defence. Fort William went in front on 32 minutes. Arran MacPhee and Lewis Morrison were high up the park and when the ball came to Morrison, he drew two defenders as he went to shoot but flicked the ball to Arran MacPhee instead. MacPhee was free outside the D and the Fort skipper wasn’t going to miss and he sent the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Lachie Shaw made it 2-0 just 3 minutes before the break. The ball came in low from a corner on the left and fell to Shaw around the penalty area and he turned and shot goalwards, not catching the ball as crisply as he’d have liked but it hit Skye keeper Ryan Morrison’s foot and went into the net. The Fort added a third a minute after the restart. The ball came in from a shy and Lachie Shaw turned his marker before letting the ball bounce twice and his shot flew into the net, hitting the middle of the left stanchion. Skye’s Somhairle MacDonald scored his third goal in two weeks when he cut in from the left before shooting from around the penalty spot. Fort keeper Paul MacKay got his hand to the ball but couldn’t keep it out so it was now 3-1 with 52 minutes on the clock. The Islanders cut the deficit to a single goal on 72 minutes with a great finish from Jordan Murchison on the right. However there was to be no comeback and when the hosts were awarded a free-hit on the left side of the D, Padraig McNeil played the ball across the penalty area where Lewis Morrison fired into the middle left-hand side of the goal. Fort William wrapped up the points from a good overall performance 3 minutes from time when Cam Stephen made it 5-2. Lachie Shaw’s shot was saved with his feet by Ryan Morrison but as the ball flew into the air, Cam Stephen finished calmly with a simple tap-in.
Skye Camanachd P Lochaber P Skye Camanachd’s fixture with Lochaber at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree was postponed because of covid restrictions.
Kilmallie P Kinlochshiel P Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup finalists Kinlochshiel were unable to fulfil their meeting with Kilmallie at the Canal Parks.
Mowi Senior League B Kingussie 5 Caberfeidh 1 Kingussie came from a goal down to beat Caberfeidh 5-1 at the Dell. The Kings created chances with Caberfeidh keeper Iain McCall denying Dylan Borthwick on a couple of occasions before the visitors took a 39 minute lead. Calum Girvan awarded a disputed free-hit, penalising Ryan Borthwick, and when the ball was played in on goal, it eventually came out to the right where Kevin Bartlett fired across keeper Rory MacGregor to make it 1-0 at the break. Kingussie equalised a minute into the second half. Roddy Young was fouled near the half-way line and he showed quick-thinking, immediately sprinting forward. The set-piece was played wide and when it came to Young, he hit a good strike into the top corner of the net. Liam Borthwick ran the ball in on goal to make it 2-1 on 55 minutes and Dylan Borthwick added a third a couple of minutes later. Dylan Borthwick got his second to make it 4-1 on 78 minutes whilst Roddy Young’s second 8 minutes from time came when the ball broke across the box and Young got onto it, striking low into the bottom corner of the net to make the final score 5-1.
Strathglass 0 Newtonmore 7 Newtonmore were 7-0 victors against Strathglass at Cannich. Strathglass launched of a new set of strips provided by sponsors Douglas Timber Harvesting and West Fraser. Boss Allan MacLeod was missing Scott Douglas, Seth Jones, Alister MacLean, Innes Hood, Ruairidh Strachan and Lewis Douglas. This was ‘More’s first game since the end of July and manager Orsten Gardner was back on the sidelines after missing the win over Caberfeidh. Michael Russell remained out through injury and Max Campbell started a two-game ban. Conor Jones, Iain Robinson, Arron MacBean and Struan Ross started in attack. Newtonmore’s Iain Robinson opened the scoring on 27 minutes. Robinson gathered a ball into the full forward position before taking a touch to his backhand and his half-swing sent the ball into the net. Robinson got his and ‘More’s second on 35 minutes. A ball from the wing and was cut back to Robinson who turned his marker and lashed the ball into the roof of the net. Referee Willie MacDonald penalised a blatant hack to award ‘More a penalty on 45 minutes and Struan Ross converted. It only took Ross a minute into the second half to score again and the visitors were awarded a second spot-hit on 74 minutes with a Strathglass defender penalised for double-swinging inside the D. This time Conor Jones drove the ball home to make it 6-0. Struan Ross completed his hat-trick on 82 minutes with the goal of the game and he juggled the ball as he ran forward with Sandy Fraser in chase before volleying into the roof of the net on his left side, giving Strathglass keeper Adam Todd no chance. Iain Robinson grabbed the second hat-trick of the match with 3 minutes remaining. Robinson slipped the ball through his legs before outpacing his marker on the touchline and running in on goal, slipping the ball past keeper to make it 7-0. There were yellow cards for Newtonmore’s Steven MacDonald for speaking out of turn to referee Willie MacDonald and to Strathglass captain Josh Fraser for persistent fouling.
Beauly P Lovat P The derby between Beauly and Lovat at Braeview Park was postponed because of covid restrictions.
Mowi Senior League C Aberdour P Oban Camanachd P Aberdour’s match with Oban Camanachd at Silver Sands was an early covid postponement.
HIS Sutherland Cup - Semi Final Lovat P Lochside Rovers P The Lovat second team and Lochside Rovers will have to try again as their noon throw up at Spean Bridge was postponed because of covid restrictions.
Bullough Cup Semi Final Kyles Athletic 4 Kilmory 1 The Kyles Athletic reserves reached the Bullough Cup Final with a 4-1 victory over Kilmory at the Playing Fields, Tighnabruaich. Dave Martin got the hosts off to a great start with a goal after just 5 minutes but Bruce Johnston levelled on 25 minutes. Kyles managed an interval lead when Dave Martin got his second on 41 minutes. Ross Donald on the hour and Finan Kennedy just 5 minutes later ensured it would be the Kyles colts’ day. Holders Lochside Rovers and the Oban Celtic second team are still to meet in the other semi-final.
Mowi North League A Kinlochshiel 2 Glengarry 1 The Kinlochshiel seconds turned in a strong defensive performance to beat a good Glengarry side 2-1 in their 1pm throw up at Rèaraig. Colin MacDiarmid started at full centre for ‘Shiel with Callum Coghill and Lewis MacVicar either side of him and they lined up against Steven Cameron, flanked by Scott Bremner and Kyle MacKinnon. ‘Garry started with a strong forward line deploying Rhuairaidh MacDonald at buckshee forward, Finlay Fraser and Nick Dalgety on the wings and former Scotland international Shaun Nicolson at full forward. However the ‘Shiel back line of Andrew MacKenzie, Rowan Myers, Martin MacRae, and Arron Jack and keeper Sandy MacDiarmid were to prove key throughout. Kinlochshiel enjoyed most of the early pressure without really working keeper Gordon MacDonald but when ‘Garry broke, Nick Dalgety tested ‘Shiel custodian Sandy MacDiarmid with Shaun Nicolson going close from the rebound. Shaun Nicolson took down a long Steven Cameron free-hit but his shot from wide on the left was well saved by Sandy MacDiarmid. Finlay D MacRae and Archie MacRae combined to send Rory Slaughter running through on goal but Gordon MacDonald came off his line to save and Shaun Sloggie cleared the stray ball. Both teams hit counter attacks with Archie MacRae blazing over at one end and Nick Dalgety doing similar from wide on the left at the other. The visitors put a good move together when Shaun Sloggie won possession at the back and Steven Cameron played the ball on to Rhuairaidh MacDonald who had come deep and he sent a great ball down the inside right channel where Shaun Nicolson flashed a shot wide. A passing move involving Arron Jack, Finlay D MacRae and Zander MacRae set up a chance for Archie MacRae but his shot went wide. When Lewis MacVicar sent the ball down the right wing, Finlay D MacRae sent the ball across goal and Zander MacRae saw his shot saved with his feet by Gordon MacDonald. The game was flowing from end-to-end but both teams lacked that killer touch. Archie MacRae showed great skill to take down a high ball forward and he slipped Finlay D MacRae right through on goal but his effort went the wrong side of the post for what was the best chance of the match so far. Kyle MacKinnon did well to win possession on the left of the ‘Garry midfield and he found Rhuairaidh MacDonald whose long ball forward sent Nick Dalgety and Shaun Nicolson racing into the D but Sandy MacDiarmid came off his line to deal with the danger and the ball went behind for a goal hit so it remained goalless at the break. Archie MacRae sent a snap-shot over the bar early in the second half whilst ‘Garry twice went close at the other end with Shaun Nicolson in the thick of the action. Sandy MacDiarmid came quickly off his line to foil Shaun Nicolson who had run through towards goal into the left of the D and Nicolson was hurt in the challenge. Glengarry took the lead on the hour. A long ball was well taken down by Shaun Nicolson and although his first effort at goal was blocked, he sent the rebound into the net to make it 1-0. However ‘Shiel levelled a couple of minutes later when Rory Slaughter’s corner from the left came to Finlay D MacRae and he smashed the ball into the net from just to the right of the D. Archie MacRae made space before seeing his shot crash off the outside of the stanchion. ‘Shiel took the lead 15 minutes from time when Archie MacRae ran on to a great diagonal ball from Rory Slaughter, played from left to right, and MacRae thundered the ball home to make it 2-1. Glengarry responded, working the ball up the right side, and Sandy MacDiarmid made fine stop from Shaun Nicolson’s strike. Shaun Nicolson set up Rhuairaidh MacDonald and his backhand strike pinged the inside of the post and although ‘Garry made optimistic claims that the ball had crossed the line, Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup referee John Angus Gillies waved away their pleas. The visitors piled on the pressure at the end. Rhuairaidh MacDonald’s set-piece ball into the danger-area was flicked away by Zander MacRae as far as Scott Bremner on the right and he ball into the goal area was forced out for a corner. Nick Dalgety made space to get a sight at goal from Kyle MacKinnon’s corner but the ‘Shiel defence scrambled the ball back out of play for another corner, this time on the right. Rhuairaidh MacDonald shot wide from Nick Dalgety’s corner and that was the last chance of this enjoyable contest.
Lochcarron P Skye Camanachd P Lochcarron’s derby with the Skye Camanachd second team at Battery Park was called off on Thursday evening because of covid restrictions.
Mowi North League B Caberfeidh 1 Kingussie 7 The Kingussie colts beat the Caberfeidh colts 7-1 at Castle Leod Ruaraidh Wink on 5 minutes and Peter Dickson on 11 minutes gave the Kings early control in this game. Martin Dallas made it 3-0 on 24 minutes whilst Peter Dickson completed his hat-trick with goals on 34 and 50 minutes. Martin Dallas got his second on 54 minutes and although Ruaraidh MacLeman gave Cabers some consolation 3 minutes later, Martin Dallas went on to complete his hat-trick with 15 minutes to go.
Newtonmore P Inverness P The game between the Newtonmore seconds and the Inverness firsts at the Eilan was another covid postponement.
Mowi North League C Beauly 4 Lewis Camanachd 0 Aberdeen University agreed to reschedule their match against the Beauly seconds at Braeview Park to allow the hosts to welcome Lewis Camanachd for the Islanders first competitive match in 18 months. Lewis put everything into the game and held the hosts at bay until 3 minutes before the break when a free-hit from the left was played on to Finlay MacLennan and his turn and shot from just outside the D made it 1-0 at the break. Torrin Cairns added a second on 67 minutes when he ran the ball into the D following a corner from the left and he slipped the ball past the keeper on the rebound. Sean Stewart made it 3-0 with 20 minutes remaining when he knocked the ball low into the net on his backhand from just right of centre following a good passing move. Sean Stewart got his second and Beauly’s fourth with just 3 minutes remaining when he volleyed home a corner from the right at the front post for what was the goal of the match.
Inverness P Lewis Camanachd P The 12.30pm throw up between the Inverness colts and Lewis Camanachd at the Bught Park was another covid postponement.
Strathspey Camanachd P Strathglass P Strathspey Camanachd’s meeting with the Strathglass at Grantown Grammar School was called off for covid reasons. This is the third successive Saturday that these sides have been unable meet.
Mowi South League A Taynuilt P Inveraray P The Inveraray colts were unable to field a team for their match against Taynuilt at the Taynuilt Sports Field.
Col Glen P Ballachulish P The game between Col Glen and Ballachulish at Glendaruel was called off as Balla’ were unable to raise a team.
Mowi South League B Glasgow Mid Argyll 6 Aberdour 2 The Glasgow Mid Argyll colts had to work hard to see off a stubborn Aberdour colts before finally running out 6-2 winners in their noon throw up at Peterson Park. The Glasgow side were missing Jamie MacLeod following his red card in the 6-2 league victory over Tayforth the previous week. Aberdour went in front with Martin Cameron scoring on 23 minutes but Cailean MacInnes drew GMA level just a minute later. Aberdour fought back and they regained the lead though Gabriel Slater on 43 minutes and led 2-1 at the break. GMA made a good start to the second half with Cailean MacInnes equalising for a second time a minute after the restart. The home side went in front for the first time through Nick Lavin on 58 minutes and James MacLeod went on to add a brace with strikes on 59 and 67 minutes. Nick Lavin got his second to make it 6-2 on 82 minutes.
Bute P Tayforth P Tayforth were unable to field a team for their trip to the Meadows to play the Bute seconds.
Mowi Central League Lochaber P Oban Celtic P The 3pm throw up between the Lochaber seconds and the Oban Celtic seconds at Spean Bridge will be rearranged.
Glenorchy 2 Kilmallie 2 Glenorchy and the Kilmallie second team shared the points following a 2-2 draw at Mart Park. Conor Sartain gave Glenorchy a 36 minute lead with what was the only goal of the first half. When referee Deek Cameron awarded Kilmallie a penalty 3 minutes after the restart, Stuart Ross stepped up to score from the spot. Ben MacKinnon put the visitors ahead on 58 minutes only for Conor Sartain to get his and Glenorchy’s second with on 15 minutes remaining.
Kilmallie P Ardnamurchan P The meeting between the Kilmallie seconds and Ardnamurchan at the Canal Parks was a covid postponement.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report states differently)
2021 Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final Preview All roads lead to Oban as the 2021 Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final between Kinlochshiel and Lovat takes place at Mossfield on Saturday 18 September 2021. Kinlochshiel boss Johnston Gill has been monitoring Finlay MacRae’s fitness after the Scottish international suffered a leg injury in the semi-final victory over Kyles Athletic. John MacRae and Duncan “WD” MacRae both missed the recent win over Strathglass whilst Ali Nixon is a major doubt with a hamstring problem. However Mark MacDonald looks to be winning his race to play Lovat manager Jamie Matheson appointed former player Euan Ferguson as his assistant manager in the lead up to the final. However the Balgate side suffered a blow when Lorne MacKay’s booking in the semi-final win over Kingussie triggered a two-match suspension meaning he will miss the final. MacKay also missed the 2013 MacTavish Cup Final win over Glenurquhart through suspension. Defender Scott MacKenzie is a major doubt with a broken finger and there could be a call-up for Ryan Ferguson. Lovat are skippered by Stuart MacDonald whilst Keith MacRae captains Kinlochshiel. Mossfield was the scene of Lovat’s 2015 Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup win over Kyles Athletic. This will be their fourth Scottish Final appearance over the last six years but 2015 remains their only success during that period. Kinlochshiel also have memorable memories of Mossfield. They lifted the Artemis Macaulay Cup there in both 2016 and 2018 whilst they also clinched the Mowi Premiership title at the same venue in-between times. John Angus Gillies from Skye is the match referee, the first man from the Island to take charge of shinty’s premier completion since Archibald MacPherson 107 years ago. Gillies will be assisted by goal judges Lachie Wood and David Mitchell, linesmen Craig Scott, Scott Campbell, Alex MacVicar and Graham Fisher and fourth official Calum Girvan. It has been a very different season for shinty but the cup finals will be contested as keenly as ever with shinty’s top prize at stake. Throw up is at 2.10pm and the whole match will be broadcast live on BBC ALBA from 2pm. Earlier in the day, the MacMaster Cup Final between Fort William U14 and either Kilmallie U14 or Skye Camanachd U14 takes place. Throw up is at 11am and the final will be refereed by Craig Scott. |