The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 16 July 2022 | |
18 July 2022 Kyles Athletic clinched the final place in the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup semi-finals, Roddy Young scored seven times as Kingussie win a twelfth successive Mowi Premiership match and Col Glen lifted the Camanachd Association’s new Single Team Club trophy following the shinty action on Saturday 16 July 2022.
Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup – Quarter-Final Kyles Athletic 2 Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 Kyles Athletic clinched the final place in the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup semi-finals after beating Glasgow Mid Argyll 2-1 at Tighnabruaich. This was a repeat of last month’s Scottish Sea Farms Glasgow Celtic Society Cup Final which GMA won 1-0 and it was just as close. GMA took the lead on 11 minutes with Brian Slattery scoring but Robbie MacLeod’s goal on 40 minutes left the tie all-square. And that’s the way it stayed until a minute from time when Finan Kennedy scored meaning Kyles Athletic will now face Lovat in the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup semi-finals at An Aird, Fort William on Saturday 6 August 2022.
Mowi Premiership Kilmallie 0 Kingussie 12 League leaders Kingussie over-powered bottom side Kilmallie; winning 12-0 in their 3pm throw up at the Canal Parks. Kingussie’s Roddy Young went into the match after scoring hat-tricks in his side’s last four outings. He proved again that he is shinty’s man in form by netting on no fewer than seven occasions. Kilmallie are being managed by Liam Cameron and some senior players at present following Martin Stewart’s decision to step down and their absentees included Michael Rodger and Daniel Stewart. Calum Grant returned for Kingussie to take a place on the bench where he was joined by Lee Bain, George Taylor Ramsay and James Hutchison with the latter unused. Rory MacKeachan returned to the starting line-up. There was a minute’s silence ahead of both Kingussie matches last weekend in memory of Ian Urquhart who passed away aged 85. Ian, a strong midfield player, played for Kingussie in the 1960s and at one stage captained the first team. He was part of the 1968 Camanachd Cup Final side which drew 3-3 with Kyles Athletic before losing the replay 2-1. He was also part of the 1964 Macaulay Cup winning side. Ian was then a regular supporter for decades and Kingussie Camanachd Club sent their condolences to his wife Jean and his family. There was considerable media interest ahead of this match surrounding whether Kingussie attacker Roddy Young could score a fifth successive hat-trick after trebles against Caberfeidh (twice), Lovat and Skye. And Young didn’t disappoint as he tormented the Kilmallie defence throughout. However it was Ruaridh Anderson who set the ball rolling with the opener. George Ramsay Taylor, who came on after just a minute to replace James Falconer who was struck across the knee by a crude swing, dummied a cross from the right and Anderson met the ball at the back post, hitting it high above keeper Kevin Toye. Roddy Young opened his account when the ball was floated in towards the penalty spot and shinty’s top scorer took possession and then turned before shooting high into centre of the goals. Ruaridh Anderson’s second goal came when Kevin Toye saved Roddy Young’s shot with his feet. Anderson ran in and as the ball popped up above him, he managed to get his club up and send the ball over the keeper’s head. Ruaridh Anderson completed his hat-trick soon after, nipping in to win possession as his marker took a touch on a ball across the box and he tucked the ball into the bottom corner of the net to make it 4-0. Roddy Young then added two more goals to claim his customary hat-trick but he wasn’t finished yet. His fourth goal came when he ran onto Ruaridh Anderson’s long ball before slipping the ball by the keeper. After netting twice more, Young’s seventh and final goal arrived when he just got the ball on the edge of the box before taking on a couple defenders and then taking the ball around the keeper for a fine individual effort. In-between times, on 52 minutes, Fraser Munro looked sure to turn home a ball to the back post but it went into the net off a defender. Ryan Borthwick had gone close on several occasions and he got the goal he deserved on 77 minutes with a waist-high shot across the keeper at the second attempt. Kingussie had managed to reintroduce James Falconer at half-time following the insertion of a couple of stitches to a knee wound. Calum Grant, at full centre, and Rory MacKeachan, in defence, also played the second 45 minutes. The Kingussie players were on the receiving end of some very heavy challenges during the first half prompting Kingussie manager John Gibson to make his views clear to referee Calum Girvan. Things seemed to settle in the second half with the referee going on to use his yellow card to good effect.
Lovat 3 Fort William 0 Lovat move into fourth place in the Mowi Premiership after defeating Fort William 3-0 in their 3pm throw up at Balgate. Both sides were understrength and it was Lovat who put together a great passing move which was finished by Lewis Tawse inside the D to earn his side an opening minute lead. Marc MacLachlan added two more goals on 52 and 82 minutes. His first was a strike from the edge of the box followed by a shot on the angle. Fort William were always dangerous on the break and they host Caberfeidh in the league on Saturday.
Caberfeidh 2 Newtonmore 5 Newtonmore saw off a Caberfeidh fight-back to win 5-2 in their 3pm throw up at the Eilan. Caberfeidh keeper Iain McCall returned so Kevin Bartlett, who was between the sticks the previous week’s win over Kilmallie, returned to his outfield role. ‘More were short of players so the likes of Kenny Ross and Craig MacIsaac featured in both their first and second team games at the same venue. Newtonmore enjoyed most of the first half pressure but all they had to show for their efforts was a Conor Jones goal on 35 minutes. The home side started the second half on the front foot and Kevin Bartlett’s shot from distance beat ‘More keeper Michael Ritchie to make it 1-1 on 52 minutes. However, just a couple of minutes later, Conor Jones pounced on a defensive error to score his and Newtonmore’s second goal of the afternoon to make it 2-1. Cabers fought back for a second time and, on 61 minutes, Kevin Bartlett found Craig Morrison following a free-hit from just outside the box and he made it 2-2. Newtonmore finished strongly, sealing victory during the final quarter. Substitute Craig MacIsaac, on his first senior appearance for ‘More, netted on 66 minutes with a bullet-shot following another defensive error and a trademark run and finish from Iain Robinson on 70 minutes made it 4-2. Craig MacIsaac got his second with just 5 minutes remaining and the win means Newtonmore reclaim second place in the division. ‘More will have players back for Saturday’s short trip to the Dell in the Mowi Premiership and former Kilmallie player Craig MacIsaac will have forced his way into the management teams’ thoughts following his two-goal display. There is added spice, if it is needed, in that the teams occupy the top two places in the league with Newtonmore the latest side to try and puncture Kingussie's 100% record this season.
Ferguson Transport & Shipping Balliemore Cup – Quarter-Final Beauly 2 Skye Camanachd 1 Jack MacDonald’s late, late winner gave Beauly a 2-1 victory over Skye Camanachd in their 3pm throw up at Braeview Park. This was a classic game of two halves and Skye almost took the lead in the opening minute when Taylor Matheson went through on goal and although he slotted the ball by keeper Martin MacDonald, it slowed up in the heavily sanded goal area and was cleared. Skye, missing Jordan Murchison with a hamstring injury, took the lead on 35 minutes. A long ball from John Gillies wasn’t cleared by the Beauly defence and James Pringle finished low into the net from close range following a rebound off the keeper. Beauly were a changed side in the second half and Skye keeper Murphy Henderson saved well on more than one occasion. Beauly equalised with 20 minutes remaining when David MacLean played on a free-hit to Conor Ross who found the net through a crowded goal area. Skye were dangerous on the counter-attack and they hit the frame of the goal on a couple of occasions. Jack MacDonald’s introduction as a second half substitute was a game-changer. Skye found it difficult to contain MacDonald and he hit the crossbar with a volley just after coming on. With only having played on five of the last eleven Saturdays, Skye tired and with just seconds remaining, Jack MacDonald sparked Beauly celebrations, scoring with a low shot across the keeper from the right to send Beauly through to the semi-finals where they will face Col Glen this Saturday. Inveraray await the winners in the final.
Mowi National Division Oban Celtic 1 Lochaber 3 Lochaber stay in the second promotion place in the Mowi National Division after beating Oban Celtic 3-1 at Mossfield. Duncan MacKinnon gave the Spean Bridge men an 18 minute lead and Findlay MacDonald made it 2-0 on 22 minutes. Lance McCuish pulled a goal back for the Oban side a minute later and it remained 2-1 until the turnaround. Oban Celtic’s cause wasn’t helped when Craig MacMillan was sent off by referee Deek Cameron on 68 minutes but the outcome remained in the balance unto 79 minutes when Lochaber’s Conor Sweeny made it 3-1. This Saturday sees Oban Celtic travel to Glenurquhart in the league.
Strathglass 1 Glenurquhart 2 Strathglass and Glenurquhart met in shinty’s oldest derby at Cannich. Both sides were short so fielded inexperienced teams for this one with Donald Fraser and Ally MacAdams amongst the ‘Glass absentees whilst suspended duo Connor Golabek and Lachie Smith missed out for the Glen. The Glen took a 3 minute lead when, after some good play, Charlie MacLeod’s ball was struck smartly by Daniel MacLean. However when a free-hit was played wide to Steven Hyslop on 32 minutes, he finished well to make it 1-1. Indeed the home side may have led at the break but Glen goalie Stuart MacKintosh made a good save to keep out a fierce shot from distance. Glenurquhart veteran John Barr scored what proved to be the winner 5 minutes into the second half. Barr’s initial ball found Charlie MacLeod whose shot was saved by Adam Todd but Barr turned the rebound home to make it 2-1. This was a very competitive game and Strathglass will feel unlucky not to take a point.
Single Team Club Competition - Final Glengarry 1 Col-Glen 2 Col Glen came from a goal down to beat Glengarry 2-1 at the Taynuilt Sports Field to become the inaugural winners of the Camanachd Association’s Single Team Club Competition. The new completion brings together clubs that have a single team has been a great success and both Glengarry, third in Mowi North Division 1 and Col Glen, second in Mowi South Division 1, have looked strong throughout. Glengarry struck the first blow when, with only 3 minutes on the clock, Nick Dalgety ran onto Steven Cameron’s long free-hit and, running through on goal, he controlled the ball well before confidently flicking it by the keeper. Col Glen responded well though and only some excellent goalkeeping prevented them from levelling until 3 minutes before the interval. Again the goal came from a free-hit and when the ‘Garry defence struggled to clear, Dan MacDonald won possession on the left with a cleek before sending a deft flick into the goal area where Col Glen skipper Andrew MacVicar turned the ball low into the net on his backhand. Glengarry enjoyed the better of the second half but couldn’t turn their chances into goals and as the final moved into the closing stages, Col Glen sensed the chance to win it and they took the lead with just 3 minutes remaining. A hit-in from the right bounced through to the edge of the D and Jamie MacVicar lashed the ball into the net to make it 2-1. Col Glen captain Andrew MacVicar was presented with the trophy by Camanachd Association President Steven MacKenzie in front of his delighted team-mates and support. Lachie Wood was the match referee.
HIS Sutherland Cup – Quarter-Final Lovat 2 Kingussie 4 The Lovat colts came from two goals down to beat the Kingussie colts 4-2 in their noon throw up at Balgate. Kingussie got off to a super start with Cluanie Fraser putting them ahead on 10 minutes and Robert Shiells adding a second just 3 minutes later. Lovat fielded an experienced side, included the returning Ryan Ferguson, and they pulled a goal back through Euan Ferguson with a shot from outside the D on 16 minutes before player / manager Raymond Rennie made it 2-2 from inside the box on 34 minutes and it remained level until the break. Kingussie made a good start to the second half but they fell behind for the first time in the tie on 66 minutes when Euan Ferguson got his second as he crashed a rebound into the net. Then, a couple of minutes later, Raymond Rennie got his second with a shot on the angle to make it 4-2. Lovat’s Callum Cruden was shown a straight red card by referee Martin MacLean with 10 minutes remaining, but the hosts stayed in front to reach the semis where they will play the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team.
Mowi North Division 1 Glenurquhart 3 Lochcarron 1 The Glenurquhart second team hosted Lochcarron in a 7pm throw up at Blairbeg on Wednesday 13th July 2022. David MacLennan scored twice and Lewis MacLennan the other as the Glen ran out 3-1 winners. Kenny Cushnie countered for Lochcarron.
Fort William 0 Kinlochshiel 4 The Kinlochshiel second team stay very much in the title race after beating the Fort William second team 4-0 at An Aird. ‘Shiel almost took a 3 minute lead when Archie MacRae found space on the left and he hit a really good shot only to see Fort William keeper Stuart Disher pull off a great save. The visitors kept pressing and it took two more good saves from Stuart Disher to deny Lewis MacVicar and Rory Slaughter. The closest the Fort came was on 20 minutes when David Duncan’s pass from the wing found Bryan Simpson and he weaved by his marker before hitting a fine shot which Calum MacMillan saved well before clearing. ‘Shiel went one up on 25 minutes when a good ball from Martin MacRae found Archie MacRae on the left and he flicked the ball to Duncan MacMillan who turned his marker and fired the ball into the bottom corner of the goal. Kinlochshiel doubled their lead on 31 minutes when Martin MacRae’s free-hit from the right found Rory Slaughter on the right and he slipped the ball to Duncan MacMillan who slammed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. A third goal followed on 37 minutes and Martin MacRae was again the provider with his cross-ball coming to Archie MacRae whose 20 yard shot was saved with his feet by Stuart Disher. The ball rose into the air inside the D and Lewis MacVicar leapt like a salmon to volley into the net. Kinlochshiel continued on the front foot into the second half and Martin MacRae won the ball on the right on 48 minutes before playing in Rory Slaughter whose strike hit the side-netting. Fort William, who included Sean Cruickshank but were still minus the suspended David Wright, just couldn’t get past a strong ‘Shiel defence which was well-marshalled by Duncan Matheson. Rory Slaughter got his goal on the hour. Colin MacDiarmid sent a looping ball into the Fort defence and Slaughter beat his marker before shooting low inside the keeper’s right-hand post to make it 4-0. The game fell flat after that with the outcome all but decided. The Kinlochshiel defence was strong throughout with man of the match Duncan Matheson superb at both buckshee back and full back. Martin MacRae relished his new role on the right wing and he was strong in the tackle whilst distributing the ball very well. Arron Jack and veteran Colin MacDiarmid were strong across the midfield whilst Archie MacRae caught the eye in a good forward line. David Duncan on the wing was best for Fort William. This was a good, clean match and there were no bookings for referee John Angus Gillies to administer.
Skye Camanachd 0 Inverness 4 The Skye Camanachd second team and the Inverness first team met for the second successive Saturday, this time at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Inverness were 2-1 winners last time around and although they deserved this weekend’s win, had it not been for some excellent goalkeeping from Dougie Rankin, the Highland Capital side’s winning margin would not have been so emphatic. Iain Hunter gave Inverness a 19 minute lead following a Steven Bellshaw free-hit and with Skye defender Allan MacLeod down injured, Calum Tuckwood found space on the right to thunder a second over keeper Calum Nicolson’s right shoulder to make it 2-0 on 53 minutes. Steven Bellshaw had gone close on a couple of occasions before he added his name to the scoresheet on 72 minutes. The Skye defence didn’t deal with a high ball from former Uist Camanachd and Beauly player Ewen Campbell, who was excellent at full centre, and Inverness top scorer Bellshaw pounced to score. And it was Bellshaw again just 3 minutes later when he turned inside from wide on the left before hammering the ball high into the net. Skye had a late chance to pull a goal back when referee John Matheson penalised Dougie Rankin for falling on Skye forward Iain MacInnes but the Inverness custodian redeemed himself when he stretched to his left to save Archie Millar’s penalty with his foot. The win keeps Inverness at the top of the league.
Caberfeidh 1 Newtonmore 3 The Newtonmore seconds and the Caberfeidh seconds met for the second successive Saturday, this time in a noon throw up at Castle Leod Ruaraidh MacLeman gave Cabers a shock 21 minute lead but Newtonmore levelled through Brodie MacBean on 31 minutes. Craig MacIsaac on 40 minutes and then Martin Hall on the stroke of half-time made it 3-1 at the turnaround. There were no goals in the second half.
Inverness P Newtonmore P The 7pm throw up between the Inverness first team and the Newtonmore second team on Thursday 14 July 2022 was postponed as there were no available fields at the Bught Park. The game has been rescheduled for this Thursday.
Mowi South Division 1 Tayforth 1 Bute 8 With Col Glen in cup action, the Bute first team played their game in hand and their 8-1 victory over Tayforth at Peffermill means they leapfrog the Glendaruel based side to top Mowi South Division 1 on goal difference, by a single goal. Scott Harvey settled Bute into the match with goals on 5 and 13 minutes with Iain McDonald making it 3-0 on 23 minutes and Scott Harvey completing his hat-trick a minute later. Craig Fisher netted on 35 minutes to make it 5-0 at half-time. Ian McDonald added another on 56 with Josh Cowan on 75 minutes and Iain McDonald’s hat-trick goal on 77 minutes making it 8-0. Neil Shearer gained some consolation for Tayforth a couple of minutes from full-time.
Mowi North Division 2 Beauly 9 Boleskine 3 The meeting between league leaders the Beauly seconds and second bottom Boleskine was brought forward to Wednesday 13 July 2022 with a 7pm throw up. And it was Beauly who extended their lead at the top of the table with a comfortable win in a high scoring contest. Beauly included Jack MacDonald who rattled in an early hat-trick with goals on 2, 6, and 16 minutes. Finlay MacLennan added a fourth on 20 with Boleskine’s Ross Anderson pulling a goal back a couple of minutes later. Fraser Cameron scored for the hosts on 44 minute so Beauly led 5-1 at the break. Boleskine pulled another back through Scott Watson a minute into the second half only for Finlay MacLennan to get his second on 50 minutes to make it 6-2. Beauly’s Callum Flynn netted on 72 minutes and Fraser Cameron got his second on 78 minutes to make it 8-2 before Scott Knox pulled another back for the visitors on 83 minutes. Beauly’s Lee Dunbar netted a minute later to make the final score 9-3.
Kilmallie 2 Strathspey Camanachd 2 The Kilmallie juniors and Strathspey Camanachd drew 2-2 in their noon throw up at the Canal Parks. Duncan MacDougall scored the only goal of the first half so Kilmallie led 1-0 at the break. Connor Aubrey equalised on the hour but when referee Calum Girvan awarded the hosts a penalty with 15 minutes remaining, former first team keeper Shane Gillies stepped up to score from the spot. However with the match moving into stoppage time, Connor Aubrey got his second to make it 2-2.
Lochaber v Aberdeen University W/O The Lochaber reserves were unable to field a team for their game against Aberdeen University at Spean Bridge so the Students were awarded the points.
Mowi South Division 2 Kilmory 1 Bute 6 The Bute juniors won 6-1 against Kilmory at MacRae Park. The Islanders ran up a 4-0 interval lead with goals from Rory MacDonald on 26 minutes, Neil McKirdy on 31 minutes, David Whitelaw on 34 minutes and Iain Robertson’s own goal on 44 minutes. Kilmory’s Scott Cameron pulled a goal back on 51 minutes but a brace from Thomas Morrison on 66 and 81 minutes made the final score 6-1. The sides meet again at MacRae Park on Saturday; this time in the MKM Building Supplies Oban Bullough Cup semi-finals.
Oban Celtic 2 Strachur-Dunoon 3 Strachur-Dunoon overcame the Oban Celtic seconds 3-2 in a tight encounter at Ganavan. The Oban side took the lead through Iain Duffy on 8 minutes but Sam Bulloch levelled on 17 minutes. Steven Thomson gave the visitors the lead and minute before half-time and the second half was just 4 minutes old when Sam Bulloch got his second to make it 3-1. Duncan MacEwan cut the deficit to a single goal a couple of minutes from time but Strachur-Dunoon stayed in front to take the points.
Aberdour 0 Ardnamurchan 3 Ardnamurchan beat the Aberdour seconds 3-0 at Silversands. Freddie Patterson on 22 minutes and Matthew Bradley on 39 minutes made it 2-0 at the break with Aaron Mellis adding a third 5 minutes into the second half.
Inveraray 8 Uddingston 4 The Inveraray seconds beat Uddingston 8-4 at the Winterton. The hosts led through veteran David MacPherson on 16 minutes and Neil Campbell 20 minutes although substitute Cameron Purdy pulled a goal back on 27 minutes with his first senior goal; a calm finish after beating his marker. John MacKenzie made it 3-1 just 5 minutes later before Inveraray netted twice more through Ewan Donnan on 37 minutes and Harry Green on 40 minutes to make it 5-1 at half-time. Uddingston scored three times more but Allan MacDonald on 65 minutes and a double from Ewan Donnan on 83 and 89 minutes to complete his hat-trick made the final score 8-4.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report states differently)
Uist Win 2022 Heb-Celt Uist Camanachd lifted the Heb-Celt Cup trophy for the fourth time after beating Lewis Camanachd 3-2 in at Bayhead, Stornoway. Paddy Sinclair and Donald Lamont were on target for Lewis Camanachd but Kenny Cushnie’s brace and an Angus MacInnes goal started the Uist celebrations. Veteran referee Henry MacInnes chose Uist’s Kenny Cushnie as the man of the match whilst Keith MacDonald in the Uist goal also played very well.
WCA Round Up A mixture of national and regional Women’s Camanachd Association fixtures took place on Sunday 17 July 2022.
Mowi National Division Glasgow Mid Argyll 2 Aberdour 2 Glasgow Mid Argyll and Aberdour drew 2-2 in their 3pm throw up at Peterson Park Kirsty Gray and Laura McCafferty scored for GMA with Katy Smith and Rowan Copper replying for Aberdour.
Badenoch P Ardnamurchan P The game between league leaders Badenoch and Ardnamurchan at the Dell was postponed.
Mowi North Division 2 Strathspey Camanachd 2 Badenoch B 13 Badenoch B were 13-2 winners against Strathspey in their 6.45pm throw up at Grantown Grammar School on Wednesday 13 July 2012. Charlotte Bisset and Emma Sanderson scored for Strathspey but seven-goal Hope Borthwick, Kirsty Grant’s hat-trick and a double from Catrin MacLeod gave Badenoch victory. Strathspey Camanachd W/O v Strathglass Strathspey’s second game of the week ended up being a walk-over when Strathglass were unable to field a team for their match at Grantown Grammar School.
Mowi South Division 2 Glasgow Mid Argyll B W/O v Tayforth Tayforth were unable to field a team for their trip to Peterson Park so GMA B were given a walkover. |