The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 12 October 2019 | |
13 October 2019 Kingussie are Mowi Premiership champions for the first time since 2009 following the shinty action on Saturday 12 October 2019.
Mowi Premiership Kilmallie 1 Kingussie 4 Kingussie sealed the Mowi Premiership title for the first time since 2009, only suffering one defeat and three draws in the process, after they beat Kilmallie 4-1 at the Canal Parks. This was a fifth successive Saturday fixture for Kingussie whilst Kilmallie’s last action was eight weeks earlier when they lost 2-0 at Lovat. Kilmallie’s Martin Stewart completed a two-match suspension but Shane Gillies returned in goal. With Oban Camanachd losing at Lovat earlier in the day, Kingussie knew they only needed a draw to add the league title to the Artemis Macaulay Cup won earlier in the season. James Falconer was on a pre-planned holiday so youngster Liam Borthwick came into the starting line-up with manager John Gibson adding Owen Reid to the bench. Kilmallie showed that they weren’t just there to make up the numbers though as Daniel Stewart shocked the Kings by giving the hosts a 13 minute lead. Savio Genini equalised on 26 minutes. Roddy Young made a run, drawing Genini’s marker and when Young slipped the ball to his strike partner, Genini turned from the edge of the box before driving a powerful forehand strike through the keeper’s legs to make it 1-1. Kingussie gained an interval lead with just a couple of first half minutes remaining. The ball was played into the D where keeper Shane Gillies and Liam Borthwick battled for possession and the ball broke for Roddy Young who nipped in between them to knock the ball into the net. Savio Genini celebrated his first senior Scotland call-up with a second goal on 64 minutes. A high ball in from the right dropped kindly for Genini and he tucked a low shot into the bottom left corner of the net on his forehand to make it 3-1. Kingussie rounded off the win in style with a second Roddy Young goal on 76 minutes. Young took the ball over the half-way line before breaking down the left and he fired a great shot into the top corner of the net to make it 4-1. Just to emphasise Kingussie’s recent progress, these sides met at the Bught Park in November 2015 in a Premiership play-off match when it took a 2-0 win to preserve Kingussie’s top flight status. Eight players from their squad that day; James Hutchison, Rory MacKeachan, Lee Bain, Rory McGregor, Calum Grant, Savio Genini, James Falconer and Robert Mabon, as well as Fraser Munro who was suspended for the 2015 match, have been key in this year’s title push during which the side has showed wonderful consistency. Kingussie’s final league fixture is against Kyles Athletic at Tighnabruaich on Saturday 26 October 2019 when they will be presented with the Mowi Premiership trophy. With Inveraray already relegated, it is now a straight fight between Kilmallie and Lochaber as to who avoids the second relegation spot and they each have a game to play. Kilmallie are two points better off and their final match of the season is at Kyles Athletic on Saturday 2 November 2019. However, things may become clearer this coming Saturday when Lochaber host Oban Camanachd at Spean Bridge. Lochaber must win and make inroads into a massive twenty-two goal difference advantage in Kilmallie’s favour so boss John Stewart and his players must be confident of retaining their top flight status.
Lovat 1 Oban Camanachd 0 Lovat did a smash-and-grab job on Oban Camanachd, winning 1-0 their 12.30pm throw up at Balgate to give manager Fraser Gallacher a winning send-off. This was a last match in charge for Lovat boss Fraser Gallacher and he was without attacker Marc MacLachlan, whose two-match suspension carries forward into next season. Danny Kelly, Callum Cruden, Lorne MacKay, Duncan Davidson, Martin Mainland and Calum MacAulay were also missing. Ryan Ferguson and Dylan McCulloch started in midfield with Lewis Bryson and player / manager Fraser Gallacher fielded in attack. Cameron MacMillan was the host’s only substitute. There were also several absentees for Oban Camanachd manager Stephen Sloss to contend with. Daniel Cameron served the second match of a two-game suspension whilst a disciplinary points accumulation ruled out Craig Easton. Aidan MacIntyre, Willie Neilson, Daniel MacVicar, Gary McKerracher and Keith MacMillan were also missing. Throw up was earlier at Oban Camanachd’s request and Chrissie MacMillan started defence with Blair MacFarlane in midfield and Ross Campbell in attack. Callum Kirsop was Oban Camanachd’s only substitute and he would soon enter the field of play. Malcolm Clark returned to the Oban Camanachd side, featuring in the forward line, but he was forced off after just a couple of minutes, suffering a blow to the hand which resulted in a clean break to his index finger. Callum Kirsop came on in his place. Fraser Gallacher had an effort on goals on 5 minutes but it was Oban Camanachd who enjoyed most of the first half pressure but they couldn’t get the goal their play deserved. Lovat had a great chance to take the lead on 32 minutes when they were awarded a penalty. Lewis Bryson ran forward and struck the ball into the goal area after getting onto Ryan Ferguson’s pass. The goal judge flagged for a “kick” against Daniel Madej and referee Andy MacLean pointed to the spot. Oban Camanachd contested the call and there was a delay ahead of the spot-hit being taken during which visiting defender Garry Lord was booked. Greg Matheson struck a head-height penalty to the keeper’s right but Cameron Sutherland made a great save with his club. There followed a handshake between Matheson and Sutherland, acknowledging each other’s play. Lovat made a change at the break as Cameron MacMillan came on for Dylan McCulloch with Lewis Bryson going to wing centre. Lovat came more into it in the second half with Lovat’s Cameron MacMillan, Fraser Heath and Fraser Gallacher getting shots on goal. The Oban side, with wing centre Scott MacMillan playing plenty good balls forward, had their chances too but just couldn’t conjure up a goal. The Lovat defence of Craig Mainland, Graeme MacMillan and Chris Johnston, superbly marshalled by Daniel Grieve, deserve great credit for protecting keeper Stuart MacDonald. Lovat switched a tiring Ryan Ferguson up front with Greg Matheson going to full centre during the final quarter of the match. With just 3 minutes remaining, Lovat hit Oban Camanachd with a classic sucker-punch. Ryan Ferguson initially sent the ball into the danger-area but when it was cleared back out to him; Ferguson sent a low 30 yard shot by Fraser Heath, Fraser Gallacher and Daniel Madej with the ball going through the keeper’s legs and into the net. Oban Camanachd pushed Daniel Sloss up front for the closing stages but Lovat saw out the game to give manager Fraser Gallacher a winning send-off. There were also yellow cards for Lovat’s Fraser Heath for a challenge on the keeper and for Daniel Grieve for throwing his club. Oban Camanachd will hope to have some players back for their visit to Spean Bridge to play Lochaber this Saturday and after recently handing out the result that relegated Inveraray; they could do like-wise to Michael Delaney’s side.
Kyles Athletic P Newtonmore P The meeting between Kyles Athletic and Newtonmore was postponed on Friday afternoon as the Playing Field at Tighnabruaich was ruled unplayable. This was to be a second successive meeting between the sides following Kyles 4-3 win at the Eilan the previous Saturday. The match will now be rescheduled.
Mowi North Division 1 Aberdeen University 0 Newtonmore 6 The Newtonmore second team won the first of their five games in hand over league leaders Glengarry when they beat Aberdeen University 6-0 at Balgownie. This was Aberdeen University’s first home match since they lost 4-2 to the Fort William second team in the Granite City on Saturday 6 July 2019. Their absentees included Jamie Beaton, Graham Black and Stuart Cameron. Newtonmore duo Calum Stewart and Cameron McNiven were free of suspension whilst Declan Brannan completed a two-game ban. After being contained by the Students for the first half-hour, Newtonmore raced into a 3-0 interval lead, with the goals coming in a devastating 6 minute burst. Owen Fraser broke the deadlock on 31 minutes and Calum Stewart added a double on 35 and 37 minutes. Craig MacLeod scored twice on 61 and 71 minutes to make it 5-0 with Daniel Craven getting the sixth with 15 minutes remaining. The win lifts Newtonmore to third in the table and they now trail Glengarry by seven points with four games in hand. They travel to play the Caberfeidh second team this coming Saturday, with Neil Stewart suspended, whilst the still to be scheduled meeting with Glengarry at the Eilan remains key.
Kingussie 1 Lovat 1 The Kingussie seconds and the Lovat seconds drew 1-1 at the Dell. Kingussie took the lead on 6 minutes through a trademark Craig Dawson finish; a 25 yard rocket-shot into the roof of the net. However the Kings’ full forward had to limp off as a precaution after half an hour after tweaking his ankle again. It remained 1-0 until the final minute when Ronan MacMillan scored to earn Lovat a point. Craig Dawson and Ronan MacMillan were unlikely scores as they both started the season as goalkeepers for their respective clubs.
Inverness P Fort William P The clash between the Inverness first team and the Fort William colts at the Bught Park was postponed because of an unplayable pitch.
Kinlochshiel P Caberfeidh P There was disappointment for the Kinlochshiel colts and the Caberfeidh colts when the pitch at Reraig failed a Friday inspection.
Mowi South Division 1 Ballachulish 3 Lochside Rovers 0 Ballachulish finish second in Mowi South Division 2 after they beat Lochside Rovers 3-0 at the Jubilee Park. Balla’ were along usual lines with Cain MacPhee at full centre. With Blair MacFarlane, Ross Campbell, and Callum Kirsop all on first team duty, veterans Gareth Evans, George Eaton and Johnny Campbell all started in the Lochside attack alongside U14 player Calum MacMillan, who played well, whilst 13 year old Daniel Pearson was a lone figure on the bench. Lewis Buchanan ended up on crutches after the previous week’s draw with Taynuilt whilst Evan MacLellan (shoulder) and Louis MacFarlane (foot) were also crocked from that encounter. Jordan Kerr played but misses out against Col Glen this coming Saturday after passing through the disciplinary points threshold. The under-foot conditions were difficult with the pitch splashy in areas but both sides were keen to get the match played and Ballachulish started with the wind in their favour. Alan Clark scored from the edge of the D to give Balla’ and 8 minute lead and Lorne Brown made it 2-0 just 3 minutes later, slipping the ball past Dougie MacDonald in the Lochside goal. Lochside had their chances during the first 20 minutes with Gareth Evans steering the ball wide from around the penalty spot. Lochside were forced to make a change on 30 minutes when Alexander MacMillan, who returned to the side on the wing, had to come off with a shoulder injury. Daniel Pearson was introduced in attack with Gareth Evans dropping back into defence in the ensuing reshuffle. Ballachulish were now dominating the game and Patrick MacLean made it 3-0 on 56 minutes with a half-hit following a melee by keeper Dougie MacDonald, who had a good game. The match completes Ballachulish’s season whilst Lochside Rovers host Col Glen at Mossfield in their final league game this coming Saturday.
GMA Take Mòd Cup Glasgow Mid Argyll lifted the Mòd Cup with a penalty shoot-out victory over Bute following their 0-0 draw at Glasgow Green on Saturday 12 October 2019. The Mod Cup is traditionally contested between the two clubs based closest to the Royal National Mòd. The meeting between GMA and Bute was the 50th anniversary of the first Mòd Cup clash in 1969 when Newtonmore defeated Kingussie 5-2 at Aviemore as part of the Aviemore Mòd celebrations. GMA last lifted the trophy at the Motherwell Mòd in 1983 whilst Bute’s most recent success came in 2013 at the Paisley Mòd when they defeated GMA in a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw. The teams have had contrasting fortunes this season with GMA securing promotion from the Mowi National Division whilst Bute finished in bottom spot. However it was the Islanders who came closer to breaking the deadlock when Scott Harvey’s penalty went narrowly over the crossbar. This encounter, played on a tight pitch, never really hit the heights and neither team was able to find the net during the regulation 90 minutes. Referee Ross Brown took the contest straight to a penalty shoot-out and GMA gained revenge for their 2013 shoot-out defeat, running out 3-1 winners with Ryan Harrison, Duncan MacRae and Garry Luke all converting from the spot and despite Calum McLay’s miss. Allan Campbell presented the trophy to Glasgow Mid Argyll skipper Jamie McFadyen.
Iomain Cholmcille Shinty / Hurling Alba (3-3) 12-13 (3-4) Fir Ulad The 2019 Royal National Mòd also hosted Iomain Cholmcille, the award-winning Shinty / Hurling / Camogie international tournament for Gaelic speakers, with Alba and Fir Ulad clashing in the men’s match on Glasgow Green on Saturday 12 October 2019. Ulster side Fir Ulad ran out narrow 13-12 winners with the outcome in the balance until the end. A Dearcan O’Donghaile point and a Joe O Dochartaigh goal had the Irish 4-0 ahead before Stewart Taylor pulled a point back. Odran de Bhaldraite made it 5-1 and it stayed that way until the break. John Angus MacInnes found the net to cut the deficit to a single point and when Graham Black added a point and Mark Fraser scored a goal, the Scots led 8-5. Malachai O’hAgain added two single points for Fir Ulad but a second Mark Fraser goal made it 11-7 to Alba. The Ulster side came back with a Cathaoir O’Caiside goal but a single from John Angus MacInnes made it 12-10. Fir Ulad finished strongly though and a goal from Odran de Bhaldraite proved decisive, giving the visitors a narrow 13-12 victory. Alba from: Donnie Forbes (Tayforth), Graham Black (Aberdeen University / Uist Camanachd), Stuart Campbell (Camanachd Leòdhais), Angus MacInnes Jr. (GMA), Connor MacLeod (GMA), Crisdean Finlayson (Lochcarron), Ally MacDonald (Skye Camanachd), John Angus MacInnes (Skye Camanachd), William MacKinnon (Skye Camanachd), Ryan Morrison (Skye Camanachd), Sam MacPhee (Skye Camanachd), Jamie Gillies (Skye Camanachd), Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod (Skye Camanachd), Stewart Taylor (Kyles Athletic), Iain Hunter (Inverness), Mark Fraser (Fort William), Jack Fraser (Fort William), Ruairidh Shaw (Fort William), Padraig McNeil (Fort William), Alex Dunnings (Beauly) Managers Sean MacLeod (Camanachd Leòdhais) & Angus MacInnes (GMA)
Glen Take Shinty / Hurling Honours Glenurquhart travelled to Co. Cork to play a Shinty / Hurling challenge match with Bandon GAA at Charlie Hurley Park on Saturday 12 October 2019. Glenurquhart made a strong start as their hosts struggled to come to terms with the cross-codes rules. However, as Bandon settled into the match they went on to show what they had to offer; especially in the second half. The Glen ran out (10-1-2) 34-28 (5-0-13) winners with James MacPherson scoring six goals whilst Jed Stoddart, Lewis Macdonald, Eddie Tembo and Oliver Black also found the net. James MacPherson also converted a dead-ball and sent two over the bar to take his tally to twenty-two points. The hosts scored five goals with thirteen singles over the bar.
WCA Round Up A play-off between Badenoch and Skye Camanachd looks all the more likely following the latest round of Women’s Camanachd Association fixtures which saw most matches take place on Sunday 13 October 2019.
Mowi National Division Ardnamurchan 0 Badenoch 25 League leaders Badenoch stay top of the division and they were too strong for newly promoted Ardnamurchan, winning 25-0 in their 2pm throw up at Strontian. Kirsty Deans scored nine times, Hope Borthwick hit five, Jeanette McGregor grabbed a hat-trick and there were braces from Rhona McIntyre, Eilidh Ross and Kirsty Grant. Rona Stewart and Sarah Caird got the others. Badenoch remain two points clear at the top of the table and they have completed their league programme. However second place Skye are two points behind with a game in hand and goal difference is not a deciding factor.
Glenurquhart 0 Aberdour 2 Aberdour were 2-0 winners against Glenurquhart in their noon throw up at Blairbeg on Saturday 5 October 2019. Niamh Donnelly scored both Aberdour goals.
Skye Camanachd W/O v Strathspey Champions Skye Camanachd remain two points off the top with a game in hand after they were given a walk-over when Strathspey were unable to fulfil their fixture at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 12 October 2019.
Glasgow Mid Argyll v Lochaber W/O Glasgow Mid Argyll were unable to raise a team for their meeting with Lochaber at Yoker so the Spean Bridge side were awarded the points.
Mowi North Division 2 Glengarry 1 Strathglass 2 Second top Glengarry lost 2-1 to second bottom Strathglass in their 1pm throw up at Craigard. Elaine Cameron got the ‘Garry goal but Freya Strachan and Shannon Birnie gave Strathglass victory.
Fort William P Lovat P Glengarry’s defeat meant Lovat clinched the Mowi North Division 2 title even although their 1pm throw up against was postponed as An Aird was ruled unplayable.
Kinlochshiel W/O v Lochaber Kinlochshiel were given a walk-over when the Lochaber second team were unable to raise a team for their trip to Reraig.
GMA Ladies Make It A Double Glasgow Mid Argyll Ladies lifted the Women’s Mòd Cup with a 9-0 victory over Bute Ladies at Glasgow Green on Saturday 12 October 2019. Kirsty Gray gave GMA a 2 minute lead and Orla McCarthy doubled their advantage on 8 minutes. Gillian Docherty on 21 minutes and anther from Orla McCarthy on 37 minutes made it 4-0. GMA continued to dominate and Mia Galanti on 41 minutes, Catriona Stark on 44 minutes and Grace Mair just 3 minutes later made it 7-0. Orla McCarthy took her tally to four goals with efforts on 57 and 79 minutes to make the final score 9-0. Lucy McNulty was the match referee.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report states differently)
Iomain Cholmcille Shinty / Camogie Two Alba Ladies sides and Cois Fharraige met in a Shinty / Camogie series, played as part of Iomain Cholmcille for Gaelic speakers, show-cased at the 2019 Royal National Mòd on Glasgow Green on Saturday 12 October 2019. The series began with a shinty challenge match in which Alba A beat Alba B 7-1. Mairi Duncan scored three points with Catriona Gibb, Annie MacDonald, Kate Bradley, Claire Delaney and an own goal making up Alba A’s tally. Lauren Doherty countered for Alba B. The Cois Fharraige club from Connemara then came out on top in both their Shinty / Camogie meetings with Alba A and Alba B. Ashleigh Fraser got Alba B’s point in their 2-1 defeat to Cois Fharraige but Eabha Ni Chonlain and Aoife Nic Cormaic got the points that made the difference. Three points from Maire Ni Fhrighil gave Cois Fharraige a 3-1 victory over Alba A. Mairi Duncan countered. All three matches were refereed by Gaelic speaking whistler Henry MacInnes. Alba Women’s Squad from: Claire Ford (Ardnamurchan), Joanne Ford (Ardnamurchan), Kate Bradley (Ardnamurchan), Annie Macdonald (Ardnamurchan), Mara Maclean (Kinlochshiel), Kirsty Dibble (Skye Camanachd), Izzy Law (Skye Camanachd), Mairi Duncan (Lochaber), Claire Delaney (Lochaber), Fiona Murray (Tayforth), Ashleigh Fraser (Fort William), Kayleigh O Rourke (Fort William), Orla McCarthy (GMA) , Lauren Doherty (Fort William), Caitriona Stark (GMA), Karen MacKinnon (Oban Lorne) Manager: Catrìona Gibb |