The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 23 April 2022 | |
24 April 2022 The 2022 Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup got underway and there were some key games in the Mowi Premiership on Saturday 23 April 2022.
Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup – First Round Northern Section Glenurquhart 0 Skye Camanachd 2 Skye Camanachd scored a goal in each half to beat Glenurquhart 2-0 at Blairbeg. Glen’s Liam Robertson was ruled out through injury whilst Cameron MacKintosh, Josh MacDonald-Haig and Finlay Robertson were also missing. Skye were without Neil MacVicar and Ross MacKinnon but Somhairle MacDonald and Taylor Matheson returned to the squad with both starting on the bench. James Pringle gave Skye the lead with a great goal on 32 minutes. Marin Pringle’s free-hit from deep inside his own half on the right was quickly played on by Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod to Jordan Murchison and then to Will Cowie before James Pringle touched the ball to the outside on the right before crashing a great shot by keeper Stuart MacKintosh. Ross Gordon confirmed the victory on 72 minutes. Skye substitute Taylor Matheson won possession on the Skye left before sending the ball low to Ross Gordon who turned his marker and ran across the D before committing the keeper and stroking the ball low into the net for a composed finish. The Glen had the chance to pull goal back when referee Brian MacKay adjudged Skye keeper Murphy Henderson to have saved the ball with his foot whilst his foot was off the ground. Connor Golabek took the spot-hit but didn’t connect with the ball as he’d have like and Murphy Henderson saved with his feet. Golabek passed up another chance late on but although Glenurquhart put up a good fight, Skye deserved the victory.
Glengarry 2 Beauly 6 Beauly are through to the last sixteen after beating Glengarry 6-2 in front of a decent crowd at Craigard. Beauly got off to a great start with Ross Forbes scoring after just 2 minutes. Sandy Elrick added a second on 21 minutes and although ‘Garry were tested against National Division opposition, they also enjoyed spells of pressure creating chances of their own, one of which was converted by Shaun Nicolson on 35 minutes. However Sandy Elrick’s second on 44 minutes and Finlay MacLennan on 57 minutes extended Beauly’s lead to 4-1. Beauly, who were still missing David MacLean, added two more through Jack MacDonald on 59 and 63 minutes. There was just a minute remaining when referee Deek Cameron awarded the home side a penalty and Shaun Nicolson stepped up to strike the spot-hit by Beauly keeper Lennox Stewart to score his second goal of the game.
Inverness 0 Strathglass 1 Steven Hyslop scored 5 minutes before half-time as Strathglass beat Inverness 1-0 at the Bught Park.
Southern Section Lochaber W/O v Oban Celtic Lochaber were given a walk-over into the last sixteen of the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup when Oban Celtic forfeited their tie at Spean Bridge. Oban Celtic manager Dougie MacIntyre’s plans were left in tatters when nine players were ruled out. Lewis Mcphee, Lennon Campbell and Jamie Forgrieve were all injured with Ewen Campbell a doubt during the week. A mixture of work and prior commitments ruled out several other players. Oban Celtic will now regroup and prepare for Saturday’s difficult Artemis Macaulay Cup quarter-final against Kyles Athletic in Oban.
Mowi Premiership Fort William 1 Kinlochshiel 1 Fort William came from behind to draw 1-1 with Kinlochshiel at An Aird. Arran MacPhee, Alexander MacMillan, Bryan Simpson, Jack Fraser and Sean Cameron were amongst Fort William’s absentees. Meantime Kinlochshiel fielded a strong side with Finlay MacRae, Duncan Matheson, Mark MacDonald and Conor Cormack making up their defence. Fort William won the toss of the coin and opted to start with a strong easterly wind, which did affect the shinty, in their favour. The visitors almost opened the scoring within 60 seconds of throw up when Donald Nixon found Jordan Fraser on the left and he turned his marker before firing goalwards but Fort William keeper Paul MacKay pulled off a great save to deflect the ball away for a corner. Fort William took advantage of the elements and started pressing the ‘Shiel defence with Victor Smith getting himself into a good position around 20 yards from goal but he struck the ball over the bar. However Kinlochshiel took the lead on the half-hour. John MacRae won possession outside the D and he weaved his way into the box before being impeded by a Fort defender. Referee John Angus Gillies blew for a penalty although the ball had already found Duncan Matheson, who had been pushed into attack, and he found the back of the net. It was not to matter though as Jordan Fraser struck an unstoppable spot-hit to the keeper’s left side. Jordan Fraser almost added a second 5 minutes later when he found space on the left and he fired another piledriver but Paul MacKay pulled off another superb save. ‘Shiel, now with the wind behind them, made a strong start to the second half but the Fort William defence of Mark Grant, Ali MacRae, Hamish Shaw and Jamie Duncan were resilient and well-disciplined. The visitors should have doubled their lead when Keith MacRae flicked the ball to an unmarked Archie MacRae, who had come off the bench, 15 yards from goal but he shot wide of the keeper’s left hand post. Paul MacKay produced arguably the save of the day on the hour mark when the Kinlochshiel forward line combined to set up a shooting opportunity for Jordan Fraser whose 20 yard shot was heading for the top corner of the net to the keeper’s top left-hand side but Paul MacKay stretched to tip the ball away with his club. Despite all the ‘Shiel’s pressure, Fort William equalised with 20 minutes remaining. The goal came from a set-piece when a ‘Shiel player pushed his opponent to the ground on the half-way line. A quickly taken free-hit saw Calum Shepherd find Lewis Morrison on the left and he peeled past his marker before picking out second half substitute Mark Fraser on the D and he turned and slotted the ball low past Josh Grant into the corner of the goal. This was really the only clear-cut chance Fort William created in the second half and they made it count. ‘Shiel almost regained the lead when Jordan Fraser gathered a short corner before finding the on-rushing John MacRae with a clever pass but MacRae’s strike went high over the bar. Fort William were excellent in defence and ‘Shiel will rue the opportunities they passed up to score but Paul MacKay broke their hearts on a number of occasions as he turned in a man of the match display in goals. Discipline on the field of play was good but the strong wind hampered both teams attempts at playing slick shinty.
Kilmallie 0 Oban Camanachd 4 Oban Camanachd took early charge of their game against Kilmallie before eventually running out 4-0 winners at the Canal Parks. Kilmallie boss Martin Stewart was missing Lewis Birrell and Stephen McAlister and Stuart Callison with Michael Rodger starting on the bench. Oban Camanachd manager Gareth Evans had Garry Lord still out through injury and the match came too soon for injured pair Malcolm Clark and Evan MacLellan. Scott MacKillop, Daniel Cameron, Daniel Sloss and Scott Robertson made up their defence. Scott MacMillan, who is now back for a four-week period, took a place on the bench. Oban Camanachd went in front straight from the throw up, won by Blair MacFarlane, and Daniel MacVicar set up Daniel Madej for a half-volley finish with only 12 seconds played. It got even better for Oban Camanachd on 3 minutes when Louie MacFarlane got by three players before finding Daniel MacVicar on the edge if the D and he finished well to make it 2-0. With really clean hitting up the park at the back from Oban Camanachd’s Scott McKillop, it was mainly one-way traffic towards the Kilmallie goal as the visitors created opportunities but a mixture of missed chances and some good saves from Kevin Toye in the home goal meant it remained 2-0 until the break. The Oban side made a change at half-time with Ross Campbell coming off and Scott Robertson redeployed to the wing and Craig Easton reintroduced into the defence. Just 5 minutes into the second half, Scott Robertson and David Cameron came off in favour of Innes Jackson and Scott MacMillan with the latter’s hitting proving to be a real asset. Oban Camanachd added a third a minute after the hour when Louie MacFarlane’s ball over the top caused all sorts of problems and Daniel Madej took advantage to go one-on-one with keeper Kevin Toye before finishing clamly. Louie MacFarlane made it 4-0 on 71 minutes when Scott MacMillan’s hit-in saw Daniel Madej play the ball across the D to MacFarlane who found the net.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 0 Kingussie 1 Kingussie stay top of the table following their narrow 1-0 victory over Glasgow Mid Argyll at Peterson Park. Kingussie maintained their 100% record this season with a 1-0 Mowi Premiership victory over Glasgow Mid Argyll at Peterson Park. GMA boss Alan MacRae was still without Craig Anderson who has a broken finger. Garry Luke, Brian Slattery, John Sweeney and Jamie McFadyen were also missing for a mixture of injuries and holidays. Kingussie manager John Gibson’s squad was again tested with defenders Robert Mabon, Ryan Borthwick and Rory Mackeachan as well as wing centre Fraser Munro all unavailable. Gibson was dealt a further blow when James Falconer failed to recover from an ankle injury suffered against Newtonmore the previous week. Louis Munro agreed to travel up from Stranraer to help and whilst although James Hutchison took a place on the bench, he wasn’t risked as he works his way back to fitness. Alexander Michie went to full back with Calum Grant at buckshee back. George Taylor Ramsay made his first team debut at wing back where he played well with Cameron Bremner making up the defence. The sides met pre-season at Market Stance when Kingussie won 5-2 however the outcome of this match was settled by a solitary strike which came after just 7 minutes. Calum Grant’s ball out of defence was played on by Louis Munro to Ruaridh Anderson who played a one-two with Savio Genini before sending a good shot from the left across keeper Jonathon Oates and into the net. GMA were competitive, sharp and aggressive with Ryan Harrison and John Don MacKenzie playing well at the back. It was a difficult last 20 minutes for Kingussie but they did create a good chance with 15 minutes remaining when, following a good passing move, Roddy Young hit a great strike from the edge of the D but Jonathon Oates saved well. The win keeps Kingussie 3 points clear at the top of the table.
Kyles Athletic 0 Lovat 3 Both teams were understrength as Lovat maintained their 100% league record with an impressive 3-0 win over Kyles Athletic at Tighnabruaich. Callum Millar returned to the Kyles defence but Andrew King, Robbie MacLeod, Cameron Jack, Martyn MacFadyen and Scott MacDonald were all missing. Even with their second team game off, Kyles were still only able to list one substitute. Lovat travelled without Fraser Heath, Callum Cruden, Lewis Tawse and Joe Embleton as well as some fringe players and they listed former manager Fraser Gallacher as a substitute. This was a competitive encounter and Kyles attacked from the throw up but Lovat, playing with the wind in their favour, countered and when Innes MacDonald swung one-handed and brought down Sam Stubbs inside the D after just 2 minutes, referee Willie MacDonald pointed to the spot. Greg Matheson sent a powerful penalty past Kyles keeper John Whyte; waist-high into the right corner of the net. The game went from end-to-end before the Balgate side doubled their lead on 25 minutes. Lovat were awarded a free-hit for a hand-ball right on the edge of the D. Graeme MacMillan rolled the ball to the left to Marc MacLachlan who fired into the roof of the net on his back-hand. Lovat gave under-17 player Angus Mearns, a cousin of keeper Stuart MacDonald, his first team debut with Fraser Gallacher also coming on and he showed some nice touches. Greg Matheson scored his fourth goal in four games to confirm victory on 77 minutes with a low shot into the bottom corner of the net from 15 yards range close to the penalty spot. Lovat were the better team with the Mainland brothers – Craig and Martin – playing well as did Lorne MacKay and Danny Kelly.
Newtonmore 4 Caberfeidh 3 Newtonmore stay second in the Mowi Premiership after eventually beating Caberfeidh 4-3 in an exciting 3pm throw up at the Eilan. Newtonmore had somewhat of a defensive with Darrin Fowler out long-term, Rory Kennedy and Declan Brannan were unavailable whilst Steven Macdonald started a two-match suspension meaning ‘More were missing an entire back-four. Iain Richardson went to full back, Michael Russell to buckshee back with Craig Ritchie and James Ross taking the wing back roles. Former Kingussie player Kieran MacPherson featured at full centre for Cabers who were looking to build on the previous week’s win over Fort William. Newtonmore struck first when Max Campbell finished off a good passing move on 6 minutes with a first-time shot into the corner of the net. When Fraser MacKintosh tackled to win possession on 19 minutes, he hit a shot from distance, on the angle, and ‘More now led 2-0. However Caberfeidh fought back and their talisman Craig Morrison pulled them level with a quick-fire double on 30 and 34 minutes to make it 2-2. It was shaping up to be a thrilling afternoon and when the ball broke to Aaron MacBean on 36 minutes, he beat keeper Iain McCall put ‘More back in front and they took their lead into the break. Caberfeidh fought back for a second time and Scotland forward Kevin Bartlett scored on 57 minutes to make it 3-3. The game was on a knife-edge and the winning goal came 15 minutes from time and it was something special. Max Campbell ran away from goal and it looked as if the chance might have gone before he turned and sent a tremendous shot into the roof of the net to make it 4-3. It was a goal fit to win any game. The victory keeps Newtonmore in second place in the league although third placed Lovat are three points behind with three games in hand.
Single Team Club Competition - First Round Ardnamurchan 0 Tayforth 5 Tayforth proved too strong for Ardnamurchan, winning 5-0 at Strontian. Former Lochcarron player Niall Arnott gave the visitors an 8 minute lead with Sean Taylor increasing their advantage on 11 minutes. Calum Barton’s effort on 28 minutes made it 3-0 at the break. Donald MacInnes hit a late double on 82 and 86 minutes to put gloss on the win.
Kilmory 0 Col Glen 4 Col Glen scored twice in each half to beat Kilmory 4-0 in their 2pm throw up at MacRae Park. Former Skye player Sandy Paterson gave Col Glen a 7 minute lead and James Hamilton added a second on 35 minutes. Andrew MacVicar’s brace on 48 and 73 minutes completed the 4-0 win to send Col Glen into the next round.
Ballachulish P Cruachanside P Ballachulish’s meeting with Cruachanside at the Jubilee Park was called off on Friday due to covid restrictions.
Mowi North Div 1 Newtonmore 2 Skye Camanachd 1 The Skye colts agreed to a request from the Newtonmore colts to reverse their league meeting the Eilan and the hosts ran out 2-1 winners in this noon throw up Both teams were understrength with ‘More losing James Ross to the first team and they also had several Saturday morning call-offs. Skye travelled light and their absentees included Ruaraidh MacLeod who scored a hat-trick against Caberfeidh the previous week. Jamie Robinson answered the call to help ‘More and he opened the scoring on 10 minutes. Youngster Brodie MacBean made it 2-0 on 33 minutes and the home side took their lead into the break. Skye’s Angus Gilpin scored his fourth goal in the last three games with a smart flick of the ball to change of direction before shooting high into the net on 59 minutes. This was a good game and both sides had chances during the final half-hour but ‘More took the points. The sides will now meet in the league in Portree later in the season. Meantime Newtonmore were docked two points from their opening day Mowi North Division 1 win over Kinlochshiel for inadvertently fielding an ineligible player. The circumstances were unusual in that the ban was carried forward from youth shinty when the player in question was no longer eligible at that level. The Camanachd Association acknowledged this by withdrawing the usual £150 fine that comes with the points deduction.
Lovat 2 Kingussie 1 The Lovat juniors go second in the league after beating the Kingussie juniors 2-1 at Balgate. Both sides were understrength due to first team absences. Lovat player / manager Raymond Rennie scored for the fourth successive game, volleying the ball high into the net from the edge of the box to give the home side a 9 minute lead. Lovat under-17 player Caley Matheson went through on goal to make it 2-0 on 14 minutes and although Robert Shiells pulled a goal back 3 minutes later with his fourth goal from the last five games. Kingussie went on to create most of the second half chances but they found Ronan MacMillan in the Lovat goals to be in excellent form and he made several notable saves.
Lochcarron 3 Glenurquhart 0 Lochcarron’s father and son team of Gregor Cushnie and Kenny Cushnie did it again as they were on target for the second successive target in a 3-0 win over the Glenurquhart second team at Battery Park. Gregor Cushnie broke the deadlock on 41 minutes with what was the only goal of the first half. Kenny Cushnie added two more goals with strikes on the hour and again just 4 minutes later to clinch a 4-0 win.
Beauly 5 Lochaber 1 Kyle MacDonald grabbed a hat-trick as the Beauly seconds defeated the Lochaber seconds 5-1 at Braeview Park. Beauly did the damage in the first half with Calum Flynn on 19 minutes and Kyle MacDonald a minute later making it 2-0. Callum MacIver added a third on 22 with Kyle MacDonald going on to complete his hat-trick with efforts on 23 and 40 minutes. Lochaber’s Martin Paterson pulled a goal back a minute before the break. The game was refereed by former Lovat player Martin Bell.
Kinlochshiel P Fort William P The clash between the Kinlochshiel reserves and the Fort William reserves at Rèaraig was called off on Friday afternoon due to covid restrictions.
Mowi South Div 1 Bute P Kyles Athletic P The clash between Bute and the Kyles Athletic juniors at the Meadows will be rescheduled because of covid restrictions.
Mowi North Div 2 Inverness 0 Kilmallie 1 The Kilmallie seconds left it late before beating the Inverness seconds 1-0 in their noon throw up at the Bught Park. The match was just a couple of minutes away from referee Steven MacLachlan’s final whistle when Kilmallie’s Arran Sandison popped up with the winner.
Boleskine 3 Strathspey Camanachd 4 Six of the seven goals came in the first half as Strathspey Camanachd defeated Boleskine 4-3 at Smith Park. There was an early scoring burst as Martin Ross gave the visitors a 13 minute lead. Callum Miller on 17 minutes and Euan Dingwall a couple of minutes later made it 3-0. However Boleskine fought back and Tom Cameron on 20 minutes and Ross Anderson on 40 minutes cut Strathspey’s advantage to a single goal before Euan Dingwall’s effort on 43 minutes gave Strathspey a 4-2 interval lead. Fionn Dempster made it 4-3 on 65 minutes but Strathspey stayed in front to take both points.
Aberdeen University W/O v Strathglass Aberdeen University were awarded the points when the Strathglass second team were unable to field a team for their trip to Balgownie.
Mowi South Div 2 Inveraray 1 Oban Celtic 4 The Oban Celtic colts recorded their second league win of the season when they defeated second placed Inveraray colts 4-1 at the Winterton. Gabriel Tidser gave the Oban side a 10 minute lead but Alan MacDonald levelled a couple of minutes later. The young Oban Celtic forward line were moving the ball around nicely and Ewen Campbell’s strike on the half-hour put Celtic back in front and he got his second on 66 minutes. Oban Celtic’s Duncan MacEwan had a fine game and he sealed the 4-1 win on 81 minutes. Inveraray’s Craig Taylor was sent off a minute from time by referee Euan Pearson.
Aberdour 2 Strachur-Dunoon 0 The Aberdour seconds beat Strachur-Dunoon 2-0 at Silversands. Aberdour took a 1-0 interval lead courtesy of a Joe Burns goal on 37 minutes with Ally Chamberlain adding a second 5 minutes into the second half.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report states otherwise)
WCA Round Up There was another round of top flight Women’s Camanachd Association fixtures on Sunday 24 April 2022.
Mowi National Division Badenoch 3 Inverness 2 WCA Mowi National Division table-toppers Badenoch maintained their 100% record by beating Inverness 3-2 at the Dell on Sunday 24 April 2022. Badenoch were missing Kirsty Deans who played her final football match of the season for Inverness Caledonian Thistle so will now be available for the remainder of the shinty campaign. Despite some determined defending from the visitors, goals from Rhona McIntyre, Megan Ralph and Zoe Reid cancelled out efforts from Katie McMillan and Joni-Kate Reid to keep Badenoch in pole position.
Ardnamurchan 1 Skye Camanachd 4 Skye Camanachd ran our 4-1 winners against Ardnamurchan at Strontian. Hannah MacDonald scored for the hosts but Catherine Robertson’s effort and Caitlin Maclean’s hat-trick gave Skye the points.
Lochaber 2 Glasgow Mid Argyll 2 Lochaber and Glasgow Mid Argyll drew 2-2 at Spean Bridge. The Lochaber goals came from Leah Maxtone and Missy Cameron with Kirsty Gray and Kayleigh Dorrian on target for GMA.
Mowi North Division 2 Strathglass 2 Badenoch B 2 Strathglass drew 2-2 with Badenoch B in their 6.30pm at Cannich on Friday 22 April 2022. Cassie Dorrian and Isla Strachan scored for Strathglass with Badenoch’s goals coming from Orla Olds and Eleanor Anderson.
Artemis Macaulay Cup First Round Preview The road to Mossfield begins this Saturday with the Artemis Macaulay Cup first round which has thrown up eight tasty ties. Kyles Athletic return to Oban to play Oban Celtic at Mossfield. Robert Baxter’s side start as favourites and they should have Robbie Macleod back as they look to make their higher league status count. Oban Camanachd face Glasgow Mid Argyll at Mossfield. The sides met at Peterson Park in a Mowi Premiership match on the opening day of the shinty season when Daniel Madej’s double helped the Oban side to a 3-0 victory. Inveraray welcome Col Glen to the Winterton. The sides met at the same venue in the Scottish Sea Farms Glasgow Celtic Society Cup quarter-finals a fortnight ago when Ross MacMillan’s double helped Inveraray to a 4-0 victory. The final tie in the south sees Aberdour welcome Bute to Silversands. In the north half of the draw, 2021 winners Kingussie hope to have players back from injury for Fort William’s visit to the Dell. Fort’s Arran MacPhee will be free of his ban. Newtonmore play Kinlochshiel at the Eilan in what is arguably the tie of the round. ‘More’s Steven Macdonald and Declan Brannan miss out through suspension but Rory Kennedy returns. Kilmallie welcome Lovat to the Canal Parks. Lovat won 3-0 in the Mowi Premiership clash between the teams and they are still to meet in the cottages.com quarter-final. Lochaber take on Caberfeidh at Spean Bridge.
cottages.com MacTavish Cup Semi-Final Draw The draw for the cottages.com MacTavish Cup semi-finals was made by pupils from Glenurquhart Primary School at Blairbeg on Friday 22 April 2022. Before the draw took place, the school team put on an exhibition of shinty in a 20 minute match which was end-to-end and very exciting. When the draw was made, 2021 finalists Kingussie will host either Lovat or Kilmallie at the Dell. The Kings bid to win the trophy for the first time since 2011 whilst Lovat last lifted the trophy in 2014. In the second semi-final, inaugural winners Skye Camanachd, the only side outside shinty’s top flight still in the competition, play four-times champions Caberfeidh to Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. cottages.com MacTavish Cup Semi-Finals – Saturday 14 May 2022 Kingussie v Lovat / Kilmallie Skye Camanachd v Caberfeidh The cottages.com MacTavish Cup Final takes place at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 11 June 2022. Camanachd Association CEO, Derek Keir said: “It was great to be able to involve a community steeped in shinty history by holding the draw at Blairbeg Park. Our thanks go to Glenurquhart Primary School for making the draw possible and also for their excellent display of shinty technique and skill. “Everyone is looking forward to two exciting semi-finals as well as the culmination of this great competition on 11th June.” Luke Smith from cottages.com added: “Cottages.com are committed to getting out into the communities that we serve and we have done that by having draws all across the north of Scotland including visiting Newtonmore, Skye and Drumnadrochit. It is incredible to see the benefits of our investment in shinty through the opportunities created for young people. “We wish all teams the best of luck for the next round and look forward to seeing two of you in June!”
Youth Shinty Mowi National Under-17 London Shield Fort William beat Kilmallie 6-1 at An Aird. Ewen Campbell grabbed a hat-trick, James Clark bagged a double and Joe MacVicar got the other with Seumas MacFarlane countering. Matthew Sloss scored four times as Oban Camanachd defeated Lochaber 9-1. Innes Jackson netted twice with Calum MacMillan, Alexander MacDonald and Ruaridh Buchanan getting the others. Mason Keenan countered for Kilmallie. Archie MacRae grabbed a hat-trick as Kinlochshiel won 7-1 at Skye.
Mowi Under-14 League Programme – North of Scotland Fort William were 3-2 winners at Glenurquhart. Alfie MacLeod scored twice for the Glen but Lewis Knox, Charlie Campbell and Jack Stephen gave Fort William victory. Skye Camanachd were 9-0 victors against Kinlochshiel at Rèaraig, Brodie MacQueen, Reid Constance and Ruaridh Macleod bagged doubles with Calum Mackenzie, Teri MacLeod and Riley Anderson getting the others. Oban Celtic beat Bute 4-1. |