The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 18 August 2018 | |
19 August 2018 Kinlochshiel lifted the Artemis MacAulay Cup, Newtonmore go further ahead at the top of the Marine Harvest Premiership and Kilmallie return to the top of the Marine Harvest National Division title following the shinty action on Saturday 18 August 2018.
Artemis MacAulay Cup – Final Kyles Athletic 2 Kinlochshiel 3 A strong first half performance helped Kinlochshiel lift the Artemis MacAulay Cup for the second time in three years as they defeated holders Kyles Athletic 3-2 in their 2pm throw up at Mossfield. Kyles fought off Inveraray and Oban Celtic before edging out Oban Camanachd 2-1 to reach the final whilst Kinlochshiel took a tougher path, following up a 2-1 win over Newtonmore with single goal victories over Kingussie and Lovat. It was a wet day in Oban but the pitch looked in good condition despite the rain making for a slippery surface. The timing of the final clashed with the World Pipe Band Championships so it was left to Oban Celtic player Michael MacKinnon to pipe the teams onto the field and he did the job well. Ahead of throw up, MacAulay Association President Davie Thomson, Graham Mitchell from sponsors Artemis and Argyll & Bute Depute Provost Roddy MacCuish were all introduced to the players. Kyles Athletic manager James Perlich suffered a blow during the week with the news that wing centre Thomas Whyte had suffered ligament damage in the league win over Skye the previous week so he watched from the sidelines on crutches. Dunkie Kerr was given a start in his place. However Roddy MacDonald had sufficiently recovered from a shoulder injury, suffered towards the end of June, to take up a place on the bench. Andrew King returned to the defence but Donald Irvine was missing. Kinlochshiel boss Johnston Gill welcomed Oliver MacRae back into the starting line-up after he missed the previous week’s league win over Lochaber. Duncan “DA” MacRae came back into the fold and started on the bench. Keith MacRae was also named as a substitute although he had no realistic chance of playing. Kinlochshiel started with the wind in their favour and they would go on to make the most of the advantage. MacAulay finals are building a reputation of being high-scoring affairs with an average of 6.5 goals over the last six finals and there were only a couple of minutes gone when Kyles keeper John Whyte made a great save with his left hand to keep out a powerful Jordan Fraser strike from the left before the keeper used his feet to keep out John MacRae’s effort from the rebound. ‘Shiel continued to do most of the early attacking and they got their reward on 7 minutes. Kyles failed to deal with a long Donald Nixon shy from the left and Oliver MacRae nipped in to win possession and he played the ball low to John MacRae around the penalty spot. MacRae out-muscled Calum Miller before stretching to lay the ball off to 16 year old Duncan Matheson on the right. With Cammy Keith drawn to try and clear the ball, Matheson had time to let the ball run across his body before sending the ball low across the keeper and into the far corner of the net to give Kinlochshiel a 1-0 lead. John Whyte was the calmest player on Mossfield when he palmed down a spectacular effort from Ali Nixon. which dropped down on target. and he swept the ball away with Duncan Matheson looking to profit from any slip-up. Both defences took command with the Tighnabruaich back-line the busier and Neil MacVicar particularly effective in his first national senior final. Kinlochshiel full forward John MacRae and Kyles full back Callum Miller were positioned at the edge of the D for each goal-hit and when one such effort looked to deflect off MacRae’s stick on 28 minutes, the ball broke to the ‘Shiel right where Callum Miller raced out and tried to clear. His ball forward went to Duncan Matheson who knocked the ball inside to John MacRae who, with his back to goal, took a couple of steps forward to make space before turning and cracking the ball into the top corner of the net, beating a helpless keeper on his left side. John MacRae got his second and Kinlochshiel’s third just 3 minutes later. Duncan Matheson gathered another loose clearance out of the Kyles defence and his ball forward flicked off Jordan Fraser’s caman to the ‘Shiel left where John MacRae had run across goal with Callum Miller on his shoulder. However as MacRae quickly turned inside, Miller lost his footing on the greasy surface and MacRae leathered the ball over keeper John Whyte’s left shoulder and into the net to make it 3-0. A good Mark MacDonald challenge halted Scott MacDonald but Kyles attacks were rare and Scott Kennedy in the ‘Shiel goal untroubled. With only a couple of first half minutes remaining, Duncan Matheson and Jordan Fraser exchanged passes following a ‘Shiel corner on the left and Fraser’s shot cannoned off John Whyte’s shoulder for a corner. Kinlochshiel almost added a fourth when Duncan Matheson swung in the resultant corner. The ball dropped for Ali Nixon at the edge of the D and he was unlucky as he steered the dropping ball just the wrong side of the post. Kyles stayed on the field during the interval and they made a change with Roddy MacDonald taking over from Colin MacDonald in attack. The Tighnabruaich men now had the elements in their favour and they looked a different prospect from the restart with MacDonald’s introduction giving them a noticeable boost. Scott Kennedy made a comfortable save with his feet to keep out Grant Irvine’s low shot and, soon after, an excellent Donald Nixon block halted Dunkie Kerr from Robbie MacLeod’s free-hit. Kinlochshiel responded and John Whyte saved well with his feet to keep out Jordan Fraser’s shot. Kyles engineered an opportunity when Roddy MacDonald won the ball on the left and played Scott MacDonald through on goal but Scott Kennedy spread himself to save at the expense of a corner with Kyles claiming in vain for a penalty. A second Kyles Athletic change on 57 minutes saw Ross MacRae replace Dunkie Kerr and the move paid dividends a minute later when MacRae pulled a goal back with his first touch. Roddy MacDonald’s rampaging run forward saw him twice win challenges and when the ball broke to Ross MacRae, he sent a clean strike goalwards which went in off the keeper’s thigh to make it 3-1 with 58 minutes played. ‘Shiel immediately made their first switch with Jordan Fraser coming off in preference to Scott MacLean. Kyles were now launching wave after wave of attack, only punctured by a John MacRae shot which went close following an Ali Nixon free-hit on 69 minutes. Another ‘Shiel change saw Duncan “WD” MacRae replace Duncan Matheson in attack. It was “game on” as the final reached the 71 minute mark. The Kinlochshiel defence failed to clear a ball forward from Andrew King and Scott MacDonald gathered possession and shot goalwards. Scott Kennedy saved with his left foot but referee Graham Cameron pointed to the spot after consulting with goal judge Billy Wotherspoon. Roddy MacDonald thumped the penalty high into the net and although keeper Kennedy got his stick to the ball, he couldn’t keep it out. Sandy MacKenzie shot wide as Kyles went for a leveller. The changes continued and Jordan Fraser came back on with Paul MacRae withdrawn. Grant Irvine limped off with what looked like a recurrence of his achilles problem so Innes MacDonald came off the bench. Fraser MacVicar then took over from Ali Nixon. Although Kyles continued to attack, they struggled to get at Scott Kennedy in the ‘Shiel goal and they were guilty of over-hitting the ball at times. Paul MacRae returned at full forward for the closing stages with Scott MacLean returning to the bench. Jordan Fraser sent a shot wide in added on time Scott MacDonald’s effort was deflected for a corner at the other end. After 3 minutes’ stoppage time, Referee Graham Cameron blew for time and Kinlochshiel’s delight was tangible. You couldn’t wipe the smile from young Duncan Matheson’s face whilst John MacRae was on his knees, after giving his all for the cause. The man of the match accolade went to Kyles Athletic’s Andrew King who put in a power of work defensively in the first half and urged his team forward from the buckshee back position in the second period. Graham Mitchell from sponsors Artemis took to the podium, flanked by Davie Thompson and Davie Hamilton from the MacAulay Association, and they first presented Kyles Athletic captain Cammy Keith and his team-mates with their runners-up medals. Next up, Kinlochshiel skipper Paul MacRae came forward and first introduced the ‘Shiel squad and management team before receiving the Artemis MacAulay Cup, first presented by former Oban Times Editor Flora MacAulay in 1947, and presentation caman and he held the trophy aloft to signal the start of the celebrations. Kyles Athletic from: John Whyte, Callum Miller, Cameron Keith (captain), Neil MacVicar, Andrew King; Robbie MacLeod, Gordon Whyte, Dunkie Kerr; Grant Irvine, Sandy MacKenzie, Scott MacDonald, Colin MacDonald; subs Innes MacDonald, Ross MacRae, Roddy MacDonald, Rupert Williamson, George Thomson Kinlochshiel from: Scott Kennedy; Finlay MacRae, David Falconer, Mark MacDonald, Conor Cormack; Donald Nixon, Paul MacRae (captain), Oliver MacRae; Ally Nixon, Duncan Matheson, Jordan Fraser, John MacRae; subs Scott MacLean, Duncan “WD” MacRae, Fraser MacVicar, Duncan “DA” MacRae, Keith MacRae Match Referee - Graham Cameron Goal Judges – Billy Wotherspoon & Lachie Wood
Marine Harvest Premiership Lovat 0 Newtonmore 0 Newtonmore and Lovat shared the points, drawing 0-0 in their noon throw up at Balgate. Lovat’s Danny Kelly was free of suspension but suffered a broken thumb in training so was sidelined. Callum Cruden played with a helmet after suffering a facial blow the previous week. Martin Mainland was free to play but he will miss this weekend’s league meeting with Kingussie for a bookings’ accumulation. Newtonmore’s Glen MacKintosh was available following his one-match ban and started in his usual full forward position as the visitors were along usual lines. This was a game of few real chances with Thomas Fraser and Greg Matheson having first half opportunities. Lovat, with the wind advantage, had more of the first half pressure. However Newtonmore had the elements after the restart and Craig Mainland and Daniel Grieve played well in the home defence, protecting keeper Stuart MacDonald. However the Lovat keeper had to display good reflexes to turn away a deflected effort with what was the closest to a second half goal. MacDonald also made routine saves from Evan Menzies and Jamie Robinson. Michael Russell earned a booking for a challenge on Callum Cruden and Lorne MacKay had to leave the field for a time after appearing to twist his knee. What will be concerning for ‘More boss Paul John MacKintosh is that defender Andy MacKintosh had to come off after hurting his knee when clearing the ball up the park. The sides of course meet in next month’s Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final and it may just be that they are both keeping their powder dry until then.
Kingussie P Skye Camanachd P The 3pm throw up between Kingussie and Skye Camanachd at The Dell was postponed. The match will now be an early throw up on Saturday 15 September 2018.
Marine Harvest National Division 1 Fort William 0 Inveraray 2 Fort William went into their meeting with Inveraray at An Aird on top of the Marine Harvest Premiership, ahead of second placed Kilmallie on goal difference. However they conceded top spot to their local rivals after losing two late goals against Inveraray. Fort William were still without Arran MacPhee and Ally MacRae was out with a hand injury. Graham Campbell was free to play, he is about to start a two-match suspension after his booking against Oban Celtic a week earlier took him through the disciplinary points threshold. Inveraray travelled north without regular trio John Kennedy, Ally Munro and Douglas Dando. Despite the players’ best efforts, the first 85 minutes of the game was goalless. It was Inveraray who broke the deadlock on 5 minutes from time. There was a battle for possession just outside the box and the ball broke to young Ruaraidh Graham who slipped it past the keeper to make it 1-0. The visitors clinched the win a minute from time. Fraser Watt played a free-hit from near the corner flag to the back post where Garry MacPherson sent a half-volley into the bottom corner of the net.
Inverness 0 Kilmallie 7 Kilmallie took advantage of Fort William’s defeat and they return to the top of the Marine Harvest Premiership after beating bottom side Inverness 7-0 at The Bught Park. Kilmallie’s Michael Rodger started a three match suspension for an accumulation of disciplinary points but their forwards made up for his absence. Craig MacIsaac gave Kilmallie an early cushion with goals on 10 and 22 minutes. Calum MacDougall made it 3-0 at the break, scoring on 31 minutes. Liam MacDonald added a fourth on 56 minutes with Calum MacDougall getting his second on the hour. Brian MacKay then chipped in with a double of 64 and 86 minutes to make the final score 7-0.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Newtonmore 4 Aberdeen University 0 The Newtonmore seconds beat Aberdeen University 4-0 at The Eilan on the day they were again presented with the Marine Harvest North Division 1 trophy. With Aberdeen travelling short of players, Newtonmore agreed to play the match 9-a-side which made for a lot of running for the players during the 90 minutes. Craig MacLeod took advantage before anyone could really settle into the new formations, scoring after just 3 minutes. Calum Stewart made it 2-0 on 32 minutes when he cut inside from out wide, putting the ball through a defender’s legs and then running into the box before hitting a shot high into the net. And that’s the way it stayed until 81 minutes when Calum Stewart got his second. This time Stewart won the ball about 25 yards out and hit a hard shot into the centre of the goal. Calum Stewart completed his hat-trick a minute from time when he flicked the ball past his marker in his own half and ran all the way to the edge of the box where he hit a low hard shot, again into the middle of the goal. After the final whilst, Marine Harvest’s Steve Bracken was on hand to present the Marine Harvest North Division trophy to Newtonmore captain Stuart Mitchell.
Kingussie 9 Glengarry 6 The Kingussie seconds and Glengarry shared fifteen goals in a noon throw up at The Dell. Kingussie’s Dylan Borthwick was the game’s top scorer with six goals. Russell Menzies scored twice and Cluanie Fraser got the other. Nick Dalgety’s hat-trick, John MacKinnon’s brace and a strike from Archie Johnstone counted for Glengarry who remain second in the table. The win means Kingussie leap-frog Fort William into third place in the table and although they hold a single point advantage, Kingussie have played a game more.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Bute 5 Col Glen 0 Bute cut the Kyles Athletic’s lead at the top of Marine Harvest South Division 1 to a point when they defeated Col Glen 5-0 at The Meadows. Bute’s Chris Lawrence was free of a two-game ban whilst Col Glen’s John MacPhail completed a two-match suspension Bute did the damage in the first half. Iain McDonald gave them a 6 minute lead and James Craig added a second on 32 minutes. Bute killed the contest with two goals late in the first half. Robert Walker made it 3-2 on 42 minutes and Iain McDonald got his second a minute before the interval. A second from Robert Walker on the hour mark was the only goal of the second half. With five games each still to go, the Kyles Athletic second team now hold a one point advantage over Bute at the top of the table and the sides are scheduled to meet at Tighnabruaich this coming Saturday. Last year’s league winners Lochside Rovers are just three points off the top with the same number of games played.
Ballachulish 4 Aberdour 3 Ballachulish resisted a second half Aberdour fight-back to win 4-3 at The Jubilee Park. Balla’ went into the game having taken three from the last four points and they were at full strength with 20 players to choose from. Aberdour travelled without manager Lisa MacColl as well as Angus Thorburn, John Martin Philips, Ruairidh Reid, Sam Evans and Panda Fraser. Alan Clark gave the hosts a 20 minute lead and Scott Henderson added a second just 5 minutes later. Duncan MacDonald on 40 minutes and a second from Scot Henderson a couple of minutes later gave the home side a 4-0 interval advantage. It was a different Aberdour who started the second half and David MacKenzie on 46 minutes and Mark McKean a minute later quickly made it 4-2. Aberdour’s Alec Mitchell made it 4-3 with 20 minutes remaining but Balla’ stayed in front to take the points. In the end, Ballachulish built up enough of an advantage during the first 45 minutes and Aberdour left themselves too much to do in the second half.
Tayforth P Inveraray P Tayforth and the Inveraray second team were scheduled to meet for the second successive Saturday in what was a noon throw up at Levenhall Links. However the match has been rescheduled for Saturday 6 October 2018.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Caberfeidh 10 Inverness 0 The Caberfeidh second team made the most of one of their games in hand, beating the Inverness second team 10-0 in a rearranged match at Castle Leod on Wednesday 15 August 2018. Caberfeidh took control from the start in this 7pm throw up. Alan Ross, from around the penalty spot on 2 minutes, and Ruaraidh MacLeman, finishing off a good move on 7 minutes, gave the hosts an early cushion. Ruaraidh MacLeman went on to complete his hat-trick with goals on 25 and 39 minutes and Cabers, who introduced Logan Beaton for his debut late in the first half, led 4-0 at the break. Alan Ross added a fifth just 4 minutes into the second half and Cabers racked up an 8-0 lead with three goals in four minutes. Paul Ross added his name to the scoresheet on 62 minutes with 14 year old Finlay Coleman on 64 minutes, and Jamie Matheson a couple of minutes later, putting them further ahead. Kyle MacLeod blasted home to make it 9-0 on 73 minutes and Finlay Coleman got his second just 4 minutes from time to round off the 10-0 victory.
Caberfeidh 0 Lovat 5 The Caberfeidh colts and the Lovat colts met in a top of the table clash at Castle Leod. Although third place Cabers trailed Lovat by six points going into the game, they did have two games in hand so this was a significant match in terms of the title race. Lovat’s Duncan Urquhart opened the scoring on 10 minutes and Ryan Ferguson made it 2-0 just 5 minutes before the break. Lovat moved out of sight during the final 20 minutes of the match. Duncan Urquhart got his second on 70 minutes and Raymond Rennie made it 4-0 just 5 minutes later. There was still time for Duncan Urquhart to complete his hat-trick as he netted with just a couple of minutes remaining. Lovat have three games to go – at home to Lochcarron and Caberfeidh and away to Lochaber - and they currently lead Lochcarron by seven points and Cabers by eight points although they have played two more games than their rivals. However a win against Lochcarron at Balgate this Saturday will all but secure the title.
Inverness 1 Strathglass 5 The league’s bottom two sides met at the Bught Park where the Strathglass second team beat the Inverness second team 5-1. Colin Birnie gave the Strath a 9 minute lead and Ruaraidh Strachan got another on 19 minutes to make it 2-0 at the break. Colin Birnie got his second on 57 minutes to make it 3-0 and although Jack Craig pulled a goal back 15 minutes from time, later strikes from Colin Birnie on 85 minutes, to complete his hat-trick, and Ally Rothe, with just a couple of minutes remaining, earned Strathglass a 5-1 win.
Strathspey Camanachd 2 Beauly 0 Strathspey Camanachd beat the Beauly second team 2-0 in their 1.30pm throw up at Grantown Grammar School. The blustery conditions made it difficult for both teams and Strathspey won the game with two goals in two minutes. Arran MacBain gave them the lead on 13 minutes and Connor Aubrey added a second just 60 seconds later. Strathspey, with Scott Macintyre a stand-out, stay fifth and Beauly remain eighth in the division.
Kilmallie P Lochcarron P The meeting between the Kilmallie second team and Lochcarron at The Canal Parks has been rescheduled for Saturday 13 October 2018.
Lochaber P Boleskine P The Lochaber reserves fixture against Boleskine at Spean Bridge will now take place on Saturday 8 September 2018.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Oban Celtic P Bute P The clash between the Oban Celtic second team and the Bute second team at Ganavan was postponed. The game has been rescheduled for Saturday 25 August 2018.
WCA Round Up There some regional Women’s Camanachd Association fixtures played on Sunday 19 August 2018.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Glenurquhart 4 Lovat 2 Glenurquhart defeated Lovat 4-2 in their 6.30pm throw up at Blairbeg on Tuesday 14 August 2018 Hazel Hunter grabbed a hat-trick and Abi Stoddart got the other for the Glen, cancelling out efforts from Paige MacDonald and Fiona Urquhart.
Strathglass 3 Glengarry 4 Glengarry edged out Strathglass 4-3 at Cannich. Cassie Dorrian scored twice for the hosts with Laura Fraser also netting but Shaina Archibald’s brace and strikes from Margaret Jane Malcolm and Leona Falconer gave ‘Garry the points.
Inverness 0 Kinlochshiel 3 Kinlochshiel, boosted by their men’s senior side’s Macaulay success the previous day, won 3-0 against Inverness at the Bught Park outside pitch. All the goals came in the first half with Eilidh MacInnes scoring twice and Alaina MacLennan also on target.
Skye Camanachd P Lochaber P The Skye Camanachd second team’s fixture against the Lochaber second tea has been rescheduled for Saturday 13 October 2018.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Cowal & Bute 9 Tayforth 0 Cowal & Bute were too strong for Tayforth, winning their clash 9-0 at Strachurmore. Nuela Neary and Fay Robertson both scored four times with Kym Pollock completing the scoring.
Dunadd W/O v Glasgow Mid Argyll Dunadd were awarded the points when the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team were unable to raise a team for their league fixture.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless noted differently in the match report) |