Oban Camanachd lifted the Artemis Macaulay Cup for the first time since 1995 following the shinty action on Saturday 19 August 2023.

 

 

Artemis Macaulay Cup Final

Oban Camanachd 2 Kingussie 1

It was momentous day for Oban Camanachd, one their supporters won’t forget, as they came from behind to beat holders Kingussie 2-0 to lift the Artemis Macaulay Cup at Mossfield.

A large crowd gathered for this 2.05pm throw up which was also broadcast live on BBC ALBA.

Oban Camanachd’s Ross Macmillan was ineligible having played just 15 minutes for Inveraray in the opening round of the competition, so Evan MacLellan was recalled to the squad in his place. It’s the beginning of a long absence for Macmillan who has been suspended for four matches following his booking in the previous week’s Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup semi-final. He misses three league matches and the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup final against Kingussie.

As he served the final game of his suspension, Gareth Evans watched the final from “the hill” with Fraser Inglis for company. Assistant manager Iain MacMillan took charge on the touchline.

Kingussie, who were after a sixth successive trophy, were still without injured pair Thomas Borthwick and Roddy Young as well as Fraser Munro but Lee Bain and Calum Grant showed no ill-effects following their return the previous week and Grants started with Bain on the bench.

It had been wet ahead of throw up, but the pitch was in good condition and Oban Camanachd started with the wind in their favour.

Both keepers were called into early action and Cammy Sutherland picked up where he left off the previous week, stopping Callum MacKintosh’s effort from the right and Kingussie couldn’t capitalise from the clearance.

Then, Rory McGregor dealt well with Lewis Cameron’s high ball from the left which was dropping on goal.

James Falconer burst forward on 12 minutes when Savio Genini touched on Ruaridh Anderson’s long ball, but the home support breathed a sigh of relief when he pulled his shot wide of the keeper’s right post.

Lewis Cameron hammered a shot from the right into the side-netting with the ball pinging off the stanchion.

Louie McFarlane was given a final warning from referee Willie MacDonald for a trip and when Savio Genini found Ruaridh Anderson from the resultant free-hit, Cammy Sutherland palmed the ball away for a corner.

Ruaridh Anderson’s corner was cleared for another corner and when Anderson played the ball in again, Cammy Sutherland got to the ball with his feet, but Callum MacKintosh was quickly in to force the ball home to open the scoring with 25 minutes on the clock.

Kingussie survived a scramble in their goal area as Camanachd responded and Rory McGregor was now the busier keeper, chesting away Daniel Cameron’s strike from the right.

The onslaught continued as the first half drew to a close and Malcolm Clark’s bullet-shot cannoned back off keeper McGregor who knew nothing about it.

Kingussie created the final chance of the half, but Kieran Macpherson scooped the ball over the bar on his left side under pressure at the edge of the D.

Oban Camanachd came out for the restart fired up and almost made the perfect start to the second period when Lewis Cameron cut in from the right, taking the ball across goal and slipping it by the advancing keeper but Rory MacKeachan slid in to clear the ball off the line.

Oban Camanachd needed someone to take the final by the scruff of the neck and the youngest player on the park stepped forward to take centre stage on 49 minutes. There was no danger whatsoever when Daniel Cameron found Matthew Sloss wide on the stand-side right. However, the 15 year old went on a pacey run, avoiding no fewer than four challenges as he weaved his way into to the D before tucking home the equaliser. It was a great goal, and it was now game on.

Daniel Cameron collected a booking which triggers a one-game ban, ruling him out of next month’s league game at Kinlochshiel, but that is for another day as the Oban side had their tails and they took the lead on 55 minutes. Daniel MacVicar was fouled on the Oban right and he played a quick free-hit down the line, finding Malcolm Clark whose low ball deflected high off defender Calum Grant’s club and Lewis Cameron improvised, superbly volleying the ball over his shoulder from the right of the D to make it 2-1.

Like Matthew Sloss, Lewis Cameron has become a regular in the Oban Camanachd side this season and both had just made telling contributions.

Oban Camanachd had another couple of efforts at goal before James Falconer fizzed a shot wide as the final moved into the final half-hour.

There was action at both ends and Daniel MacVicar didn’t quite catch a half-chance whilst Oban Camanachd skipper Daniel Sloss did really well to break up a Kingussie attack with James Falconer looking to capitalise. 

There was a raft of substitutions with Gregor MacDonald on for Daniel Cameron and Georgy Taylor-Ramsay replacing limping Kingussie wing centre Cameron Bremner.

Cammy Sutherland was quickly off his line to foil Falconer from a free-hit with just under 15 minutes of the regulation 90 minutes to go.

Daniel MacVicar passed up a good chance when his backhand strike from Malcolm Clark’s cross went wide of target whilst a turn and shot from Savio Genini also went wide before a tiring Louie McFarlane was replaced by Craig Macmillan with 5 minutes to go.

James Hutchison replaced Genini soon after with the influential Scott MacMillan coming on for Daniel MacCuish as the final moved into stoppage time.

Craig Macmillan’s shot was deflected for a corner as Oban Camanachd tried to see out the final in the Kingussie half.

The tension was now unbearable for the Oban support and there was a break in play following a heavy challenge on the hard working Malcolm Clark with around 90 seconds left.

However, after a full 9 minutes’ stoppage time there was an explosion of delight on the Oban Camanachd bench as referee Willie MacDonald, who had a good final, sounded the final whistle and the current Oban Camanachd squad wrote their piece in the club’s history.

The excellent Blair McFarlane, a powerhouse in midfield, was the sponsor’s choice as Artemis man of the match and all that was left was Oban Camanachd captain Daniel Sloss to come forward to receive the Macaulay Cup from sponsors Artemis. As he raised the trophy, he sounded a belief that this season could just be something quite special for the red and blacks.

 

 

Mowi Premiership

Beauly 1 Skye Camanachd 2

Skye Camanachd moved five points clear of the relegation zone after beating Beauly 2-1 at Braeview Park.

With Glasgow Mid Argyll adrift at the bottom of the table, Beauly went into this game in the second relegation place, three points behind Skye, Kinlochshiel and Oban Camanachd, who had all played a game fewer, so they knew they needed to win.

Skye skipper John Gillies turned down the chance to play for Avoch in the Highland Amateur Cup final against Wick Groats to line up for the Islanders.

Ross Nicolson scored direct from a hit-in to put Skye in front on 29 minutes, but Finlay MacLennan levelled on 51 minutes. 

Skye’s Sam Macphee was sent off by referee Graham Cameron just after the hour but Jordan Murchison scored what proved to be the winner on 69 minutes. 

There was a great atmosphere at the game and both goalies were on top form.

 

Kinlochshiel 2 Glasgow Mid Argyll 0

Kinlochshiel had to work hard to beat Glasgow Mid Argyll 2-0 at Rèaraig.

Throw up was delayed by 10 minutes to 3.10pm as a few GMA players negotiated heavy traffic on their journey north.

The match was played in constant rain and an understrength GMA side fought for every ball and it took 37 minutes for the home side to break them down. Ali Nixon had just gone off after suffering a nasty hand injury with Jordan Fraser taking over. Just moments later, the Kinlochshiel captain fired home the opener from the front of the D after good work from the right from Finlay MacRae and Keith MacRae.

Jordan Fraser then turned provider on 78 minutes as he played in fellow substitute Zander MacRae who cut inside from the right before finishing well.

Both keepers made good saves during the game with Josh Fraser stretching high to tip over Ross Fraser’s spectacular shot from wide on the left and Jonathan Oates saved well with his foot from ‘Shiel’s David Falconer. 

 

Lovat 0 Kyles Athletic 3 

Kyles Athletic won for the fifth successive league match to go second in the table, beating Lovat 3-0 in their 3.15pm throw up at Balgate.

A powerful first half performance sealed the win, and the visitors went ahead on 10 minutes when Robbie Macleod’s huge hit-in from the left was knocked down by a Lovat defender and Will Cowie superbly rifled the ball into the net from wide on the left.

Ross MacRae made it 2-0 on 27 minutes, sending the ball between keeper Stuart MacDonald and his left post with a shot from the right following Conor Kennedy’s ball from the far side. 

Conor Kennedy made added a third on 41 minutes, netting from the front of the D when Lovat failed to clear Robbie Macleod’s corner from the left.

 

Newtonmore 2 Caberfeidh 2

They led twice but league leaders Newtonmore had to settle for a share of the points in a 2-2 draw with Caberfeidh at the Eilan.

‘More were missing the suspended Michael Russell for what was their final home match of the season. Craig Ritchie had been suffering from flu during the week but played. 

Caberfeidh’s Scott Macphail was back but Ben MacDonald returned to his job offshore.

Iain Robinson gave ‘More a 4 minute lead. Arron MacBean played the ball on top of Caberfeidh keeper Iain McCall and Robinson raced in from nowhere to flick the ball home. 

Craig Morrison levelled on 20 minutes, capitalising on a mix-up in the home defence to poke the ball by keeper Kenny Ross. 

After scoring 4 minutes into the first half, Iain Robinson repeated the feat, netting when the ball came to him off a defender just 4 minutes after the restart.

Play flowed from end-to-end and Caberfeidh pushed Kevin Bartlett up front for the final 10 minutes and the switch paid off when he made it 2-2 with just 4 minutes remaining. Bartlett showed no hesitation when the ball came to him as he instantly whipped it into the net. The ball may have taken a slight deflection off Rory Kennedy’s stick but looked as if it was going in anyway.

Both keeper’s made good saves during the game, the pick of which was a brilliant Kenny Ross reflex save, above his head with his club, which kept out a Kevin Bartlett piledriver.

 

 

Mowi National Division

Lochaber 1 Glenurquhart 0

Ferguson Transport & Shipping Balliemore Cup winners Lochaber and league leaders Glenurquhart came together in a meeting between the division’s promotion favourites at Spean Bridge

The goal that decided the outcome came 5 minutes before the break when Max Campbell scored for Lochaber.

The Glen now drop to second, behind Fort William on goal difference, and their final game is at home to Kilmallie. Lochaber are a point behind in third place but have three matches remaining.

 

Fort William 7 Strathglass 1

Fort William now top the table on goal difference, and still retain an outside chance of promotion, after beating bottom side Strathglass 7-1 at An Aird in what was their final game of the season.

There were 38 goalless minutes before Lewis Morrison put Fort William ahead. 

Lewis Clark on 40 minutes and Victor Smith on 44 minutes made it 3-0 at half-time.

Victor Smith hit his second on 50 minutes with Lewis Clark getting his second to make it 5-0 on 65 minutes. 

Fort’s Cameron Grant was sent off by referee Craig Scott on 73 minutes with Penri Jones pulling a goal back on 83 minutes. 

However, Fort William finished on a high as Victor Smith completed his hat-trick on 84 minutes before scoring again on 89 minutes to take his league and cup haul to 26 goals for the season.

 

Kilmallie 4 Oban Celtic 0

Kilmallie go fourth in the division after beating Oban Celtic 4-0 at the Canal Parks.

Kilmallie marked the passing of club stalwart and former Camanachd Association administrator Alastair MacIntyre with a minute’s silence ahead of throw up.

Seumas Macfarlane scored for the second successive Saturday on 20 minutes whilst Calum MacDougall rattled in a second half hat-trick with goals on 56, 72 and 85 minutes.

Referee Jamie MacPherson sent off Oban Celtic’s Innes MacDonald on 69 minutes. 

Kilmallie are six points off the promotion places, and they have three games in hand on second placed Glenurquhart.

 

 

Mowi North Division 1

Skye Camanachd 4 Inverness 1

The Skye Camanachd colts go second in the table after beating the Inverness first team 4-1 at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree.

Iain MacInnes scored on 20 and 22 minutes to give Skye a 2-0 interval lead.

James Robertson added two more on 53 and 59 minutes before Ewen Campbell pulled a goal back on 81 minutes. 

 

Kinlochshiel 3 Glenurquhart 3

The Kinlochshiel seconds and the Glenurquhart seconds served up an entertaining 3-3 draw in their noon throw up at Rèaraig.

Rory Slaughter scored high into the net at the back post on 4 minutes to give ‘Shiel an early lead and, after good play in midfield from Kieran Martin, Rhuairaidh MacDonald took the ball to the right before making it 2-0 on 23 minutes. 

The Glen pulled a goal back on 29 minutes when Charlie Macleod hammered the ball high into the roof of the net from wide on the left, by helpless stand-in goalie Archie MacRae.

It looked as if ‘Shiel might claim the points when Rhuairaidh MacDonald got his second from the penalty spot with just 15 minutes remaining. Referee Martin Bell pointed to the spot, after consulting the goal judge, for a push on the back. The decision was hotly disputed by the Glenurquhart camp.

However, just a minute later, Charlie Macleod turned home a rebound to make it 3-2 before completing his hat-trick on 85 minutes, again from a rebound, to make it 3-3.

The point takes Glenurquhart off the bottom of the table at Kingussie’s expense.  

 

Lovat 3 Beauly 3

The Lovat and Beauly second teams drew 3-3 in their reserve team derby at Balgate.

Lovat took a 10 minute lead in this noon throw up through Lewis Bryson and Seb Monkman doubled their advantage on 20 minutes but Calum Maciver pulled a goal back a minute later. 

Seb Monkman got his second to make it 3-1 on 27 minutes but Leon MacLellan on 31 minutes and William Zblewski on 40 minutes made it 3-3 at the break.

There was no scoring in the second half and the point could prove so important for Lovat as they stay ahead of Glenurquhart and Kingussie at the bottom of the table.

 

 

Mowi South Division 1

Ballachulish 4 Ardnamurchan 0

All the goals came in the second half as Ballachulish beat Ardnamurchan 4-0 at the Jubilee Park.

Pat MacLean scored on 49 and 65 minutes to put Balla’ two up with late efforts from Aaron MacIntyre on 86 minutes and Pat MacLean’s hat-trick effort on 89 minutes completing the scoring.

 

Bute 5 Kyles Athletic 0

Bute are just three points away from claiming the league title after beating the Kyles Athletic second team 5-0 at the Meadows.

Iain McDonald scored the only goal of the first half on 19 minutes and Ryan Craig made it 2-0 a minute into the second half.

Iain McDonald got his second on 53 minutes with Ryan Craig doing likewise on 69 minutes.

Iain McDonald scored for the third time on 77 minutes to complete his hat-trick.

 

 

Mowi North Division 2

Strathglass 0 Lewis Camanachd 12

Lewis Camanachd stay out in front at the top of the table after beating the Strathglass second team 12-0 in their 1.30pm throw up at Cannich.

After an even start, Paul Duke gave Lewis a 29 minute lead with Donnie MacRae on 40 minutes and a second from Paul Duke just 3 minutes after making it 3-0 at half-time.  

Callum MacRitchie added a double on 47 and 54 minutes with Daniel Harrison making it 6-0 a minute later.

Paul Duke took his count to four goals with efforts on 57 and 67 minutes whilst Daniel Harrison made it 9-0 on 73 minutes. 

Donnie MacRae got his second on 81 minutes to take Lewis into double figures whilst Pete Gomez on 83 minutes and Conner Chalmers on 90 minutes completed the dozen.

 

Aberdeen University 0 Kilmallie 2

Two Kilmallie stalwarts helped their second team defeat Aberdeen University 2-0 at Balgownie.

The goals came around the break with Liam Cameron scoring on 45 minutes and Bryan MacKay netting on 46 minutes.

 

Inverness 3 Boleskine 1

The Inverness seconds beat Boleskine 3-1 at the Bught Park.

Inverness led through Jack Perry after just a couple of minutes and Finlay Calder added two more on 34 and 41 minutes to make it 3-0 at the interval.

Calum Muir pulled a goal back on 75 minutes but it wasn’t enough.

 

Lochcarron W/O v Lochaber

The Lochaber second team were unable to raise a team for their match against Lochcarron at Battery Park.

Lochcarron have been awarded both points with Lochaber deducted a point.

 

 

Mowi South Division 2

Inveraray 2 Kilmory 7

Kilmory returned to the top of the division following their 7-2 win over the Inveraray second team at the Winterton on Wednesday 16 August 2023.

Sandy Leiper on 10 minutes and Bruce Johnstone just 5 minutes later got Kilmory off to a great start but Ewan Donnan drew Inveraray level with a strike on 25 minutes followed by another a minute before the break to make it 2-2 at the interval.

Bruce Johnstone got his second to put the visitors back in front a couple of minutes into the second half and Alec Cunningham made it 4-2 on 55 minutes.

A second from Sandy Leiper on 72 minutes and a hat-trick goal from Bruce Johnstone a couple of minutes later were followed by a David MacAllister effort on 83 minutes rounded off the 7-2 win.

 

Aberdour 5 Tayforth 3

Tayforth missed the chance to reclaim top spot in the division following their 5-3 defeat to the Aberdour seconds in their 12.30pm throw up at Silversands.

Aberdour led through Joe Burns on 22 minutes but Niall Arnott’s quick-fire brace on 24 and 26 minutes and Brendan Duggan’s effort on 41 minutes had Tayforth ahead.

Joe Burns scored again a minute later to make it 3-2 and it stayed that way until Davie Murray made it 3-3 on 78 minutes.

Aberdour’s Logan Adam made the difference with a double on 82 and 87 minutes to win the game. 

 

Uddingston 3 Bute 7

The Bute juniors ran out 7-3 winners against Uddingston at the Stepps Playing Fields.

Lee Thompson, David Arnott and Dean Quinn scored the Uddingston goals whilst doubles from Regan Craig, Neil McKirdy and Stuart Stirling senior along with John MacCallum’s effort gave the Islanders both points.

 

 

(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match reports states differently)

 

 

 

WCA Round Up

Badenoch were crowned WCA National Division champions following the weekend shinty action with most matches taking place on Sunday 20 August 2023.

 

 

Mowi National Division

Inverness 0 Badenoch 6

Badenoch are Mowi National Division champions again after beating Inverness 6-0 in their 2pm throw up at the Bught Park on Sunday.

Skye’s defeat the previous day confirmed the crown would remain in Badenoch and Zoe Reid grabbed a hat-trick with Mairi Stewart, Megan Ralph and an own goal making up their count for a side who have shown great consistency in this year’s league campaign.

The Badenoch under-14 squad also got some valuable playing time on Sunday morning, in 10-a-side friendlies against their Inverness and Lovat counterparts. Badenoch went down 2-0 to Inverness before beating Lovat 3-0 in their second game. Kayla Gow scored twice with Sinead Gow getting the other.

 

Skye Camanachd 0 Lochaber 2

Lochaber beat Skye Camanachd 2-0 in their noon throw up at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 19 August 2023.

The goals were scored by Shannon Wilson and Natalie MacDonald whilst Kira MacDonald had a great game for the Spean Bridge side.

The win lifts Lochaber to second in the table at Skye’s expense.

 

Aberdour 1 Glasgow Mid Argyll 8

Glasgow Mid Argyll overcame Aberdour 8-1 at Silversands

Lisa MacColl netted for Aberdour but Lucy McNulty’s hat-trick, doubled from both Katie Mullen and Kirsty Gray and Orla McKee’s effort gave GMA victory.

 

 

Mowi North Division 2

Glenurquhart 6 Strathspey 1

Glenurquhart B defeated Strathspey 6-1 in their Mowi North Division 2 encounter at Blairbeg on Tuesday 15 August 2023.

Amanda MacLennan scored twice for the Glen with Freya Gault, Virginia Ankers, Frederica Gilbert and Rebecca Van Loon getting the others. Emma Sanderson replied for Strathspey.

 

 

Mowi South Division 2

Ardnamurchan 2 Tayforth 7

Tayforth took the points with a 7-2 win over Ardnamurchan in their 1pm throw up at Strontian.

Hannah Collins scored both Ard’ goals but four-goal Joey Millar, Iona McCulloch’s double and Maddy French gave Tayforth victory.

 

Dunadd W/O v Oban

League leaders Dunadd were awarded a walk-over when Oban were unable to field a team for their game at MacRae Park.

 

Uddingston W/O v Glasgow Mid Argyll

Uddingston were given a walk-over when the Glasgow Mid Argyll seconds were unable to raise a team for their fixture at the Stepps Playing Fields.