Kyles Athletic lifted the Gregor Cameron Glasgow Celtic Society Cup for a club record fifth time in a row following the shinty action on Saturday 24 June 2017.
Gregor Cameron Glasgow Celtic Society Cup Final
Kyles Athletic 3 Oban Camanachd 1
Kyles Athletic took the honours as they defeated Oban Camanachd 3-1 to lift the Gregor Cameron Glasgow Celtic Society Cup in their 4.05pm throw up at The Taynuilt Sports Field.
This was a first final in charge for Kyles Athletic boss James Perlich and he had keeper John Whyte back following a hand injury. However Innes MacDonald was sidelined with a foot injury whilst Grant Irvine was only fit enough to take up a place on the bench. Dunkie Kerr played with a protective cover on a hand injury.
Oban Camanachd boss Iain Hay had to do without defender Gary McKerracher and forward Daniel MacVicar who were both on holiday. However Scott MacMillan came back into the side following suspension and David Lafferty’s recent return from injury earned him a place on the bench.
Gordon Whyte scooped the ball wide from close in with what was the game’s first chance.
With a swirling wind and a greasy surface, both teams made an uncertain start but it was Kyles who struck an early blow. Camanachd failed to clear a powerful Thomas Whyte shy from the right and Kyles full centre Donald Irvine knocked the ball left to Roddy MacDonald whose first-time pass found Gordon Whyte and he continued the one-touch passing to Dunkie Kerr who swept the ball into the net from the edge of the D, beating keeper Gavin Stobbart by his left post, to make it 1-0 with 6 minutes played.
Oban Camanachd responded straight away and Malcolm Clark picked out Lorne Dickie on the right with a free-hit and Dickie got past Robbie MacLeod before taking the ball into the D but Kyles goalie John Whyte was quickly off his line to block Dickie’s path.
A superb Roddy MacDonald turn and shot saw the ball come back off the base of post and Marc MacCallum threw his body in the way block Dunkie Kerr’s shot from the rebound.
Thomas Whyte sent a drive from the right into the side-netting with 16 minutes gone.
A Scott MacMillan shy from the right was then taken down by Willie Neilson but Matt Rippon just couldn’t reach Neilson’s low cross.
With the rain becoming heavier, Kyles were on top and there were shouts for a penalty following a scramble in the Oban goal area. Gavin Stobbart came off his line in an attempt to clear his lines but when the ball was knocked into the D, and with players from both sides on the ground, referee Wood restarted the game with a throw up after consulting with goal judge Ross Brown.
Roddy MacDonald was suffering with a shoulder injury after an earlier collision with team-mate Dunkie Kerr and he needed treatment before being able to carry on.
The action continued towards the Oban Camanachd goal and keeper Stobbart saved with his feet from Roddy MacDonald and Garry Lord was quickly in to push the ball away before Daniel Cameron cleared the danger.
Oban Camanachd were furious when referee Lachie Wood failed to allow advantage as Willie Neilson, although impeded, broke towards goal. To make matters worse for Camanachd, the set-piece went badly wrong and Kyles cleared easily.
Dunkie Kerr had an opportunity when Roddy MacDonald’s cross from the left fell nicely for him but he topped the ball and the chance was gone.
The Kyles pressure continued and Mark MacCallum did well to block a Gordon Whyte shot.
A rare Camanachd attack saw Willie Neilson’s cross from the left and Kyles Athletic full back Callum Miller dived in to block Andrew MacCuish’s shot from the right
When Daniel Cameron brought down Roddy MacDonald, not for the first time in the half, the Oban man earned the game’s first booking. Gavin Stobbart came off his line to clear from the resultant set-piece and despite Kyles Athletic’s dominance; they only led 1-0 at the break.
Iain Hay made the game’s first change as Daniel MacCuish came on for Mark MacCallum at the interval.
Kyles hit Oban Camanachd with a sucker-punch within a minute of the restart. Garry Lord was penalised for a wild swing and Dunkie Kerr ran forward onto Gordon Whyte’s free-hit and he steered the ball low into the net from the left of the D to make it 2-0. It was a well-worked goal, executed to perfection.
Kyles Athletic full centre Donald Irvine was influential throughout the game and when he pushed forward and won the ball, he lofted an effort wide of goal.
Oban Camanachd suffered a blow on 50 minutes when Daniel Cameron had to come off after he was hit point-blank in the eye area with the ball. Willie Neilson dropped back into defence and David Lafferty came off the bench.
Oban Camanachd knew they needed to score next and Ross MacRae did well clear a Matt Rippon ball across the face of the goal following Malcolm Clark’s free-hit.
Oban Camanachd claimed for a penalty as goalie John Whyte blocked the ball on the ground but they had to settle for a corner from which Scott MacMillan sent the ball into D and Andrew MacCuish flicked it goalwards but the Kyles’ goal remained intact.
The weather conditions were now making it really difficult for both sides and when Aidan MacIntyre played a free-hit back to Scott MacMillan; his shot went wide of John Whyte’s left post.
The goalmouth action continued and Gavin Stobbart made a fine stop with his caman from Thomas Whyte’s deflected shot.
Sandy MacKenzie took over from Gordon Whyte in the Kyles attack and he made an immediate impact. Donald Irvine and Dunkie Kerr worked the ball down the right flank and Scott MacDonald laid the ball off to Sandy MacKenzie. The substitute’s shot was saved with his legs by Gavin Stobbart but Roddy MacDonald was quickly in to force the rebound home to make it 3-0 with on 65 minutes on the clock.
Moments later, Daniel Cameron bravely returned to the field, joining the forward line in place of Aidan MacIntyre.
Oban Camanachd didn’t let their heads drop and Malcolm Clark won possession after Callum Miller had knocked down a ball into the goal area but john Whyte stretched to tip Clark’s shot away with his caman.
Roddy MacDonald, so instrumental to everything offensive from Kyles, had been in the wars and he needed treatment after a tussle with Scott MacMillan but was able to carry on.
Oban Camanachd made a double switch as youngster Lewis Buchanan replaced Andrew MacCuish and Aidan MacIntyre came back on for Matt Rippon with 14 minutes remaining.
Daniel Cameron gave Oban Camanachd some hope when he pulled a goal back with 10 minutes remaining. The Kyles defence failed to deal with a high Scott MacMillan ball into the goal area and Daniel Cameron showed great composure to run in to touch the ball past the keeper to make it 3-1.
Oban Camanachd were creating chances and Aidan MacIntyre shot narrowly wide of the keeper’s left post after Malcolm Clark had chipped the ball forward and, moments later, a Lewis Buchanan shot was saved with his feet by John Whyte as the late flurry continued.
Meantime Kyles had sent on Brandon Wilson for Scott MacDonald.
Daniel Cameron almost got on the end of an Aidan MacIntyre ball from the left as Camanachd looked to set up a grandstand finish.
Gavin Stobbart batted away a high ball into the D before Thomas Whyte blazed over from close in.
Andrew MacCuish put an injury time effort wide with Callum Miller having to come off with a head cut in the lead up to what was the game’s last chance.
BBC Alba summariser Stewart MacKenzie, a former Oban Times Editor, selected Dunkie Kerr as man of the match for, “Scoring the goals that mattered at the times that mattered.” Kerr received the award, which is in memory of shinty stalwart Donald J MacNiven, from Donnie’s widow Mary MacNiven.
Match referee Lachie Wood was the recipient of the Jack Asher Memorial medal.
However the main prize was collected by Kyles Athletic captain Gordon Whyte who was presented with the Glasgow Celtic Society Cup by sponsor Gregor Cameron and the trophy goes back to Tighnabruaich for a club record fifth successive time; having won it four times between 1920 and 1923.
With a Marine Harvest Camanachd Cup tie against Newtonmore on the horizon, league leaders Kyles Athletic have much to play for.
Artemis Macaulay Cup - Quarter Finals
Lochaber 0 Lovat 3
Lovat are through to the Artemis Macaulay Cup semi-finals after they beat Lochaber 3-0 at Spean Bridge.
The Spean pitch was in excellent condition for this tie although the intermittent heavy showers meant supporters had to run for cover on more than one occasion.
Lochaber were without Shaun Nicolson, Neil MacDonald, James MacRae and Ryan Johnstone although John Sweeney and Pat Toal both returned to take places on the bench. Findlay MacDonald was also missing.
Scott MacKenzie was back for Lovat but Craig Mainland and Lorne MacKay were unavailable. Bailey MacKay made his comeback from a broken collar-bone, suffered against Oban Camanachd in April and he took a place on the bench.
Lochaber started with a strong wind in their favour and they pushed Lovat back. However the visiting defence, in which Daniel Grieve was excellent, held firm.
Lovat managed three shots on target – through Calum MacAulay twice and Lewis Tawse – before Stuart Callison drew a smart save from Stuart MacDonald with his feet with around half an hour played.
The visitors took the lead on 37 minutes. Lochaber failed to clear a Calum MacAulay free-hit and Scott MacKenzie drove the ball forward where it fell for Danny Kelly who touched the ball across the goal from the left and Greg Matheson swept it into the net to make it 1-0.
Lochaber introduced Lachlan Campbell and Connor Sweeney for Brennan MacDonald and Ben Delaney late in the first half with referee John Angus Gillies playing some stoppage time after Greg Matheson had been caught on the top of the head from Duncan MacKinnon’s swing.
Lochaber were now against the wind from the restart but they would go on to have their best spell in the game.
However it was Lovat who extended their lead when Lewis Tawse made it 2-0 on 57 minutes. Drew Howie cleared the ball forward from deep inside his own half and when Lochaber failed to clear their lines; Greg Matheson’s shot was saved by with his chest by Lochaber keeper Callum MacDonald. The ball rebounded to the Lovat right where Lewis Tawse hit a shot from a tight angle and the ball went into the net off the unlucky Lochaber keeper.
Lovat sealed the win with 15 minutes remaining. Danny Kelly sent the ball long from inside his own half and Greg Matheson ran away from his marker and his second swing sent the ball low into the net from the left of the D to make it 3-0.
Lochaber had chances in the game but some good goalkeeping from Stuart MacDonald and some wasteful finishing cost them dear.
Lachie Campbell’s introduction made a difference for Lochaber and he went close on more than one occasion.
Lovat’s deadly finishing, particularly from Greg Matheson, made the difference with Daniel Grieve and Danny Kelly their top performers.
Newtonmore 3 Fort William 2
Newtonmore will face Lovat in the Artemis Macaulay Cup semi-finals after they beat Fort William 3-2 at The Eilan.
Glen MacKintosh got ‘More off to a good start with goals on 10 and 23 minutes but Fort William showed they were up for the fight when Alexander MacMillan pulled a goal back a couple of minutes later.
And that’s the way it stayed until 5 minutes from time when Steven MacDonald made it 3-1.
Lachie Shaw cut the deficit when he scored a minute from time and whilst ‘More go through, there’s surely more to come from this young Fort William side.
Balliemore Cup - Semi Final
Beauly 3 Caberfeidh 4
Caberfeidh fought off a determined Beauly side to reach the Balliemore Cup Final with a 4-3 victory in their noon throw up at Braeview Park.
It looked good for Cabers, who started with the wind advantage, when Jamie MacLennan’s 25 yard drive on 2 minutes and Colin MacLennan low shot on 9 minutes had them 2-0 ahead early in the game.
Jack MacDonald pulled a goal back from close range for the home side on 21 minutes and it stayed that way until the break.
Cabers made the better start to the second half and Kevin Bartlett restored their two-goal cushion with a great strike from distance on 74 minutes.
Marc MacLachlan, making his first top team appearance of the season, made it 3-2 with a turn and shot with just 10 minutes remaining.
Caberfeidh’s Ryan MacKay, playing against his former club, was sent off by referee John Wood for a second booking.
Beauly went all out for a leveller but it was Cabers who countered and Craig Morrison made it 4-2 from a tight angle with a couple of minutes remaining.
Marc MacLachlan got his second on the stroke of full time but Caberfeidh progress with a 4-3 win.
Caberfeidh now await the outcome of the second semi-final between Inveraray and Fort William which takes place this coming Saturday at Taynuilt.
Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup – Quarter Final
Fort William 2 Kingussie 3
The Kingussie colts reached the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup semi-finals when they beat the Fort William colts 3-2 in their 1pm throw up at An Aird.
Goals from Fort William’s Ewan Campbell and Mark Fraser and Kingussie’s Kevin Thain meant that the home side led 2-1 at the break.
However Kevin Thain scored twice more in the second half to complete his hat-trick and give Kingussie a 3-2 win.
Fort William’s Ewan Campbell was sent off by referee Ronnie Campbell.
The Kingussie seconds will play their Newtonmore counter-parts in the semi-finals at The Dell this coming Saturday.
Bullough Cup – Quarter Final
Inveraray 6 Kilmory 1
The Inveraray seconds were too strong for the Kilmory seconds winning 6-1 in their noon throw up at The Winterton.
It was good to see both teams show faith in their young players. Inveraray were along usual lines whilst Kilmory fielded a mixture of youth and experience with the evergreen Calum McKinven in defence and their juveniles included 12 year old Andrew Innis who played up front.
Inveraray’s Andy Stewart got the opener on 8 minutes only for Kilmory’s John MacMillan to level a couple of minutes later.
David MacPherson restored Inveraray’s lead on 15 minutes and David Robertson added two more with strikes on 21 and 44 minutes to make it 4-1 at the break.
David Robertson netted for a third time just 3 minutes into the second half and the goal recorded the veteran’s first hat-trick in competitive shinty. There was an element of good fortune involved as Robertson stretched out a caman to deflect a Scott MacIntyre shot that was heading well wide, past Kilmory keeper Colin Gilmour and into the net.
Andy Stewart got his second goal of the game on 65 minutes to round off the 6-1 win.
The Inveraray colts will now play Lochside Rovers in next month’s Bullough Cup semi-finals.
Marine Harvest Premiership
Kingussie 1 Kinlochshiel 2
It was second plays third as Kinlochshiel edged out Kingussie 2-1 at The Dell.
Kingussie’s James Falconer was free from injury but played a full 90 minutes for the second team in their Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup tie against Fort William. Savio Genini was also missing.
Kinlochshiel had Conor Cormack and John MacRae free of suspension but Colin MacDiarmid started a five match ban following his red card against Lochaber the previous weekend. Donald Nixon, Duncan “DA” Macrae and Jonnie MacAskill made up a re-jigged midfield, releasing Finlay MacRae to play up front.
Lee Bain opened the scoring on 28 minutes. ‘Shiel couldn’t clear a Kingussie shy from the right and Bain thumped the ball how from the 15 yards out on the Kingussie right.
Finlay MacRae’s equalised on 65 minutes and the goal was something special as he flicked and then volleyed the ball home at the back post; giving keeper Craig Dawson no chance.
Kingussie pulled Lee Bain back into defence for the final 20 minutes, replacing Alexander Michie who had a fine game for the hosts as did wing centre Rory MacGregor.
The match could have gone either way and the winner came with just 3 minutes remaining. Donald Nixon sent a free-hit into the goal area and when Kingussie failed to clear and Fraser MacVicar thumped the ball home from the left of the D.
Both keepers made good saves; Craig Dawson was always tidy when clearing his lines with Scott Kennedy in the ‘Shiel goal making some quality stops.
Kinlochshiel did just enough to edge it and they now leap-frog Kingussie into second place in the division.
Glenurquhart 2 Kilmallie 3
Kilmallie collected two priceless points by beating Glenurquhart 3-2 in their 3pm throw up at Blairbeg.
Glenurquhart’s John Barr was free of a one match ban however he was unavailable for this one as were keeper Stuart MacKintosh, Andrew Corrigan, Neale Reid, James Hurwood and Connor Golabek. Glen U17 players Finlay Ralston, Oliver Black and Finlay Robertson were included in the squad. Callum Smith was back from injury.
Kilmallie were without Stephen McAlister who served the second game of a two match suspension. Michael Rodger and Lewis Birrell were also unavailable. Daniel Stewart was given a first senior call-up following his switch from Fort William and John Stewart played the whole game at full forward.
Kilmallie took the lead after 2 minutes following a bizarre own goal off home stand-in keeper Garry MacKintosh who initially made a save with his hand but as he tried to swipe away the dropping ball, he inadvertently cupped it into the net.
Daniel Stewart marked his debut with a goal on 12 minutes with a shot across the keeper from a tight angle and it remained 2-0 at the break.
Indeed it stayed that way until 15 minutes from time when there were three goals in quick succession.
Glen moved Lachie Smith up front with James MacPherson going to full back in a bid to change their fortunes.
With Martin Stewart dominant ant full centre, Kilmallie’s Daniel Stewart got his second to make it 3-0 on 75 minutes with a strike that beat the keeper close to his post.
However Michael Fraser, following a goalmouth scramble on 77 minutes, and a blistering Lachie Smith shot into the top corner of the net a minute later made for a tense finish.
Kilmallie are now on the five point mark; level with bottom side Lochaber and Glasgow Mid Argyll who are a place above.
Marine Harvest National Division
Oban Celtic 2 Strathglass 2
Strathglass twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Oban Celtic in their 3pm throw up at Ganavan.
Oban Celtic manager Kenny Wotherspoon had Rory Bruce and Robert Alexander back with the latter starting on the bench. Ally McKerracher served the final game of his three match ban whilst Connor Howe was still missing as was David MacInnes.
Strathglass manager David Balharry was without the influential Michael Stokes as well as Ross Balharry. The visitors travelled with only thirteen players; Lawrence Jones being their only substitute.
Oban Celtic were two points behind Strathglass going into the game but with two games in hand.
Daniel Madej broke the deadlock when he went on a mazy run on 24 minutes before slipping the ball past keeper Ally MacAdams to make it 1-0.
Oban Celtic had a great chance to increase their lead when referee Willie MacDonald awarded them a penalty but Fulton Ronald failed to convert from the spot.
Scott Douglas drew Strathglass level on 41 minutes but another good run and finish from Daniel Madej put Celtic back in front on 53 minutes.
Oban Celtic had chances to put the match out of the Strath’s reach but they didn’t take them and they were made to pay when Scott Douglass levelled for the second time in the contest; making it 2-2 with just 3 minutes remaining.
Oban Celtic will consider this a point lost and they’ll look for a much improved performance when they travel to play Beauly in the league this coming Saturday.
Marine Harvest North Division 1
Kinlochshiel 0 Newtonmore 4
The Newtonmore seconds extended their lead at the top of the table after they beat the Kinlochshiel seconds 4-0 at Kirkton.
Two goals in two minutes from Craig MacLeod on 27 minutes and Chris Sellar a minute later made it 2-0 at the break.
Chris Sellar got his second on 62 minutes with a great strike from the left and Calum Stewart made it 4-0 on 78 minutes.
The closest ‘Shiel came was a Graham Kennedy effort which hit the post but it took some smart saves from home keeper Raymond Gillies to prevent ‘More winning by a bigger margin.
Newtonmore are now four points ahead of Aberdeen University but they have played two games more.
Marine Harvest South Division 1
Glenorchy 3 Bute 2
Glenorchy recorded their first league victory of the season with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Bute in their 1.30pm throw up at Mart Park.
The win was all the more impressive given Glenorchy were only able to field eleven players so played the whole game a man short.
Glenorchy’s Duncan Smith was on a two match suspension for passing through the disciplinary points threshold.
Glenorchy took the lead through Graham Morrice on 20 minutes when he knocked home a rebound off the keeper following Conor Sartain’s initial shot.
Graham Morrice got his second to make it 2-0 on 31 minutes with a long-range effort that deceived the keeper.
Andrew McLaughlan halved the deficit just 4minutes later with a shot from distance that drifted into the net and it stayed 2-1 until the break.
Bute were playing against a strong wind in the second half and Franco Devlin restored parity a minute after the restart, forcing home a rebound.
However it was to be Glenorchy’s day as Kieran MacKay netted with a great strike from around 25 yards out with what proved to be the winner just 7 minutes from time.
Bute, who were previously unbeaten in the division, pushed for a late leveller and it took an outstanding save at the death, high above his head, by Glenorchy goalie Andrew Smith to secure both points.
Marine Harvest North Division 2
Lewis Camanachd 0 Glengarry 10
Table toppers Glengarry maintained their 100% start to the season, scoring ten times without reply against Lewis Camanachd at Shawbost.
Glengarry made a great start to the game as Daniel MacLennan on 2 minutes and Nick Dalgety on 5 minutes gave them an early two-goal cushion.
Daniel MacLennan got his second and ‘Garry’s third following a corner on 21 minutes.
Glengarry ran away with the game in the second half. Nick Dalgety found space to make it 4-0 just a couple of minutes after the restart whilst Daniel MacLennan added a fifth to complete his hat-trick a minute later.
Raymond Robertson scored on 62 minutes before Nick Dalgety netted on 67 and 70 and Andrew Gilchrist made it 9-0 a minute later.
Nick Dalgety grabbed his fifth goal of the afternoon on 72 minutes to make it 10-0.
‘Garry are now four points ahead of the Caberfeidh seconds, who they meet in their next game at Castle Leod on Saturday 8 July 2017, although they have played a game more whilst Lewis remain bottom of the division.
Kilmallie 5 Lochcarron 3
Kilmallie beat Lochcarron 5-3 in a match which swung form end to end at The Canal Parks.
Kilmallie initially led 2-0 before Lochcarron went 3-2 in front.
Dean Williamson grabbed a Kilmallie hat-trick with Ross MacKenzie scoring twice.
A Liam Arnott brace and a David MacCuish goal counted for Lochcarron.
Strathglass 3 Inverness 1
The Strathglass reserves climb to eighth in the table after they beat the Inverness reserves 3-1 at Cannich.
Eoghan Stewart gave Strathglass an 18 minute lead with a shot from just outside the centre circle which swerved into the net. It was the only goal of the first half.
Andy Reid drew Inverness level a couple of minutes after the restart but Ciaran Melons put the home side back in front on 53 minutes.
The outcome remained in the balance until 82 minutes when Sam Cooper scored for the second successive Saturday to make it 3-1, giving the Strath their third league win of the season.
(All throw ups are 2pm unless the match report states differently)
(The action shot from the match between Glenurquhart and Kilmallie comes courtesy of Donald Cameron)
WCA Round Up
The ladies focus was on the Marine Harvest Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup and Marine Harvest Challenge Cup semi-finals on Sunday 25 June 2017.
Marine Harvest Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup
Lovat 1 Skye Camanachd 23
Skye Camanachd reached the Marine Harvest Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup Final with a crushing 23-1 win over Lovat in their semi-final at Craigard.
Lovat had team raising difficulties so the match was played at 8-a-side.
Skye’s Sarah Corrigall and Lorna MacRae both scored six times, Jenna Beaton netted five times; Caitlin MacLean bagged a hat-trick whilst Rhianna Kirk, Helen Lamond and Leah MacLeod got the others.
Fiona Urquhart netted a consolation goal for Lovat.
Lochaber 13 Aberdour 0
Holders Lochaber defeated Aberdour 13-0 at The Eilan to set up a repeat of last year’s Marine Harvest Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup Final against Skye Camanachd.
Stephanie Walsh gave Lochaber a 3 minute lead and Kirsty Delaney went on to score four more times on 7, 19, 27 and 28 minutes to make it 5-0 at the interval.
Alison MacVicar on 45 and another from Delaney on 52 minutes followed by Alison MacVicar’s took her tally to four goals with strikes on 56, 67 and 70 minutes to reach double figures before Claire Delaney hit the target a couple of minutes later.
Kirsty Delaney scored her sixth goal of the afternoon on 74 minutes and Stephanie Walsh, who opened the scoring, finished it a couple of minutes after to make it 13-0.
The Marine Harvest Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup Final takes place at An Aird on Saturday 2 September 2017.
Marine Harvest Challenge Cup
Cowal & Bute 0 Glengarry 5
Glengarry were 5-0 winners against Cowal & Bute in their Marine Harvest Challenge Cup semi-finals at Jubilee Park.
Elaine Cameron grabbed a ‘Garry hat-trick whilst Margaret Jane Malcolm netted twice.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 3 Ardnamurchan 4
Ardnamurchan will play Glengarry in the Marine Harvest Challenge Cup Final after they beat the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team 4-3 at The Winterton
Ardnamurchan led 2-1 at the break.
Amy Harris, Katie Mullen and Sophie Tinney scored for GMA but Rachel Ford’s double and goal from Kate Bradley and Annie MacDonald gave Ardnamurchan victory.
The Marine Harvest Challenge Cup Final takes place at An Aird on Saturday 2 September 2017.