The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 5 October 2019 | |
07 October 2019 Kingussie are just one victory away from winning the Mowi Premiership, Glasgow Mid Argyll will play Mowi Premiership shinty next season and Glengarry secured an important win in the Mowi North Division 1 title race following the shinty action on Saturday 5 October 2019.
Mowi Premiership Kingussie 3 Kinlochshiel 0 Kingussie moved closer to a first Mowi Premiership title success since 2009 when they beat Kinlochshiel 3-0 in their noon throw up at the Dell Kingussie’s Kieran MacPherson suffered a knock against Caberfeidh the previous week and he started on the bench so Alexander Michie returned to the starting line-up. Kinlochshiel hadn’t played since they opened their new pitch at Reraig nine weeks earlier. Duncan Matheson missed that match but he returned and he was joined in the starting line-up by Duncan “WD” MacRae and Andrew MacKenzie. Martin MacRae and Arron Jack made up a youthful bench as manager Johnston Gill looks to give his youngsters more game experience ahead of next season. Defender Mark MacDonald and attacker Jordan Fraser were missing and Finlay MacRae started at right wing back with Conor Cormack at full centre. The Kings almost got off to the perfect start when, after just 18 seconds, Roddy Young burst through from a deep position, running some distance in possession, and he tried to place the ball into the net but it went just wide of the post. There was a moment of controversy on 36 minutes when Roddy Young had the ball in the net but referee Calum Girvan ruled offside after consulting the goal judge. It was a decision hotly disputed by Kingussie. However, just a couple of minutes later, Kingussie’s James Falconer broke the deadlock, punishing a mistake from a ‘Shiel defender, and his daisy-cutter beat goalie Josh Grant. Kingussie keeper Rory MacGregor had to look lively to parry a John MacRae effort and the hosts took their one-goal advantage into the break. Fraser Munro sent the ball low into the net from right of centre to make it 2-0 on 55 minutes following a good run from Roddy Young. ‘Shiel lost defender David Falconer through injury and unsurprisingly considering their lack of recent action, they appeared to tire and they had to rely on keeper Josh Grant who saved well on more than one occasion. Kingussie have been great exponents of set-piece opportunities this season and they converted another 3 minutes from time when Savio Genini found Ruaridh Anderson who scored. The win means only Oban Camanachd can better Kingussie’s current points tally whilst Kyles Athletic can equal it. However that would take a complete collapse from John Gibson’s side with Oban Camanachd and Kyles Athletic having no margin for error. Matters could come to ahead this coming Saturday with all the challengers in action as Kingussie are at Kilmallie, Kyles Athletic host Newtonmore and Oban Camanachd visit Lovat.
Oban Camanachd 3 Inveraray 1 Oban Camanachd beat Inveraray 3-1 at Mossfield; a result which relegates the Winterton side. Oban Camanachd manager Stephen Sloss was again without the injured Willie Neilson and Aidan MacIntyre whilst Malcolm Clark was unavailable and Daniel Cameron started a two-match suspension triggered by his booking in the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final. Scott MacMillan returned from his two-game ban and he joined Daniel Sloss in midfield with Gary McKerracher and Craig Easton starting in defence. Inveraray duo Lewis Montgomery and Hamish MacLellan were suspended whilst Craig Taylor, Campbell Watt, Kenny Kirkhope and player / manager Ruaraidh Graham made up their bench. Oban Camanachd could have gone in front within the opening couple of minutes when Andrew MacCuish surged forward but Inveraray keeper Scott MacLachlan made a good stop. The ball fell kindly for make-shift forward Chrissie MacMillan, outside the D, but his effort was probably struck too cleanly and the ball rattled off the face of the keeper’s left post. Visiting goalie Scott MacLachlan was certainly on form and he denied Daniel MacCuish, Daniel MacVicar and Andrew MacCuish before play switched to the other end and it was Inveraray who took the lead on 24 minutes when John Kennedy played the ball between the penalty spot and the D where Allan MacDonald let the ball run across his body before turning and blasting home; giving Cameron Sutherland in the Oban goal no chance. There were harsh words in the Oban Camanachd dressing room at half-time and revamp saw Keith MacMillan replace Gary McKerracher whilst the forward line switched to a three-one formation with Andrew MacCuish on the D. The switches paid dividends as the home side drew level just 4 minutes into the second half when Daniel MacCuish ran forward and Daniel MacVicar volleyed the ball into the net to make it 1-1. Oban Camanachd took the lead on 58 minutes when Andrew MacCuish’s turn and shot flew past the keeper. Just a couple of minutes later, Andrew MacCuish turned provider as he found Scott MacMillan who finished with a low drive from the left although his effort may have taken a slight deflection. Two of the game’s best young goalkeepers were on show and Inveraray’s Scott MacLachlan saved his side from a bigger defeat although Oban Camanachd did have to rely on Cameron Sutherland who made good saves near the end from Garry MacPherson and Allan MacDonald. Oban Camanachd also introduced youngsters Ross Campbell and Blair MacFarlane for Craig Easton and Scott MacMillan and the win means they and Kyles are the only side, other than championship favourites Kingussie, in the title race as the season moves into the closing stages.
Newtonmore 3 Kyles Athletic 4 Kyles Athletic were 4-3 winners against Newtonmore in their noon throw up at the Eilan. Newtonmore manager Paul John MacKintosh welcomed Iain Richardson and Ewen Fraser back to the starting line-up but Steven MacDonald and Iain Robinson were still out injured. Duncan Gorman was given a start and Fraser MacKintosh, Jamie Robinson, Owen Fraser and David MacLean were their substitutes. Kyles Athletic boss Dunky Kerr was without Thomas Whyte but Paul MacArthur started against his former side. George Thomson, Cairn Limbert and Murdo MacRae made up their bench. Kyles took the lead on 7 minutes following a well-worked passing move between Ross Macrae and Roddy Macdonald with Macdonald turning his man and firing a low shot inside the keeper’s right post. Both keepers – Kenny Ross for ‘More and John Whyte for Kyles - made tremendous saves. Ross palmed away a 25 yard Robbie MacLeod rocket-shot before clearing and Whyte got his stick to a fierce Glen MacKintosh strike. Newtonmore drew level on 29 minutes when Ewen Fraser’s shot was blocked and the ball fell to Glen MacKintosh who cleverly slipped it to Drew MacDonald who hit a perfect strike through a crowded defence and inside the keeper’s right post. Kyles scored the goal of the match on 33 minutes when the impressive Paul MacArthur played a diagonal ball to Robbie MacLeod and he hit an unstoppable 25 yard shot into the top corner of the net. Newtonmore’s Andy MacKintosh was booked by referee John Angus Gillies for a reckless dive into a challenge as the first half drew to a close. Newtonmore made changes at the break as Michael Russell left for his sister’s wedding with David MacLean taking over. Then, just 5 minutes into the second half, Drew MacDonald had to be replaced with what looked like a thigh muscle problem and Owen Fraser cam on. Newtonmore pressed the Kyles goal and they got their reward on 66 minutes when, after several shots were blocked, Evan Menzies saw an effort saved by John Whyte but Glen MacKintosh pounced on the loose clearance to make it 2-2. However Kyles regained the lead just 4 minutes later. Robbie MacLeod played a long pass to the left to Ross Macrae and his cross found the on-rushing Roddy Macdonald, who had lost his marker, and Macdonald fired past the helpless Kenny Ross in the home goal. Newtonmore had to make a third change as an injured Andy MacKintosh was replaced by Jamie Robinson on 71 minutes. John Whyte pulled off a fine save from a blistering Evan Menzies drive from 15 yards range before Kyles increased their lead on 76 minutes. Some good work from Colin MacDonald saw him pass possession to Roddy Macdonald and his reverse ball picked out Robbie MacLeod and he drilled a shot, beating an unsighted keeper by his post to make it 4-2. Ewen Fraser pulled a goal back a couple of minutes later when John Whyte saved from Evan Menzies but Fraser was quickly into the D to put the rebound into the net. Kyles finished strongly and did just enough overall to take both points. Robbie MacLeod had a fine game in the Kyles midfield alongside the excellent Paul MacArthur in what was a good, clean-fought match. Roddy Macdonald capped a man-of-the-match performance with two goals and a telling overall contribution. Rory Kennedy and Iain Richardson in defence were best for Newtonmore with Conor Jones very effective on the wing. After the match, Newtonmore manager Paul John MacKintosh confirmed that he would be standing down at the end of the season following a trophy-laden spell in charge. This was a first meeting between the sides this season and they don’t have to wait long for the next one as they are scheduled to clash at Tighnabruaich this coming Saturday.
Mowi National Division Skye Camanachd 1 Glasgow Mid Argyll 3 Glasgow Mid Argyll came from behind to beat Skye camanachd 3-1 at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree and take the division’s second promotion place. GMA knew a point would secure a place in the top flight whilst Skye needed to win and hope GMA slipped up in their final fixture at Fort William. Injury ruled out Skye’s James Pringle and Jordan Murchison but Iain Nicolson and Stewart Grant returned. Ally MacDonald went to full back with Jamie Gillies joining Daniel Morrison and Marcus Scott on the bench. Glasgow Mid Argyll were without Oliver MacRae who was in Japan at the Rugby World Cup but Jonny MacAskill returned to the starting line-up following suspension. Ryan Harrison showed his commitment by cutting short a family holiday and travelling by bus from London make the game. There were early chances at both ends as Skye keeper Ryan Morrison made a good save with his hand to foil Iain Luke whilst Will Cowie’s effort from a tight angle went across the face of the goal. Skye opened towards the Skeabost end of the ground and they made the brighter start, taking the lead on 12 minutes when a loose clearance came Iain Nicolson and he found Ross Gordon who fed Ross MacKinnon and he blasted a shot home from 15 yards to make it 1-0. Iain Nicolson forced a good Robert Dunnings save with his feet following a Skye free-hit. GMA drew level just 3 minutes before the break when Jamie McFadyen’s long ball was misjudged by the Skye back-line on the greasy surface and Calum McLay was left with the simplest task of turning the ball home. Craig Anderson suffered a nasty cut to the shin when he was caught by Ally Macleod just before the interval. Anderson was able to continue after treatment from Skye medic Dr Wilson Banks but later required 5 stitches at Broadford Hospital. The visitors brought Andy McGhee and Mark Bain on for Ian Luke and Duncan MacRae at the interval. Daniel Morrison found space after good play from Ross Gordon but was just unable to get a shot on target whilst Ryan Morrison made a superb save as he turned away Andy McGhee’s effort. If Skye edged the first half, GMA had most of the second half pressure and Ryan Morrison saved with his stick from Mark Bain. The visitors had the chance to go in front from the penalty spot with just 12 minutes remaining when, after the ball had come off the crossbar, referee Andy MacLean spotted an infringement inside the D. Craig Anderson kept his nerve as he bulleted the spot-hit high into the net. Andy McGhee went close before GMA added a third a couple of minutes from time when Mark Bain found space at the edge of the D and he slotted the ball low into the net at the second attempt to make it 3-1. The teams also contested the George Michie Memorial Trophy which was presented to GMA skipper Jamie McFadyen after the match. GMA will play Bute for the Mod Cup this Saturday so their final match of the season with be at Fort William on Saturday 19 October 2019 in what will be a celebration for both sides as Fort William are presented with the Mowi National Division trophy and GMA mark a return to shinty’s top flight.
Bute 1 Glenurquhart 6 Bute and Glenurquhart both completed their seasons at the Meadows with the Glen running out 6-1 victors. Bute’s Iain McDonald was suspended as was Glenurquhart’s Cameron Bremner but Andrew Corrigan was free of his ban. Connor Golabek gave the Glen the lead on 20 minutes and Lewis MacDonald made it 2-0 on 32 minutes to give the Glen an early advantage but Robert Walker made it 2-1 just 3 minutes later.
Mowi North Division 1 Glengarry 4 Newtonmore 3 Glengarry showed great resilience to beat champions Newtonmore seconds 4-3 in an exciting match at Craigard. Glengarry lined up at full strength with danger man Nick Dalgety in attack. A youthful Newtonmore travelled with only thirteen players and started the match with five players aged 16 years and under and two 18 year olds. Calum Stewart and Cameron McNiven were suspended. Glengarry started the stronger and had the better of play over the opening 15 minutes with the young Newtonmore defence under constant pressure and ‘More keeper Calum Grover had several saves to make. Garry forwards Raymond Robertson and Nick Dalgety had chances but were wasteful. The constant pressure told on 18 minutes when Nick Dalgety scored a well-taken goal. Newtonmore came back into the game and, after some good build up play, Craig MacLeod rifled a shot into the top corner of the net to make it 1-1 on 28 minutes. The game was now end-to-end with both teams having chances and both keepers – Gordon MacDonald and Calum Grover - making fine saves. The hosts had the chance to go back in front when referee Graham Cameron awarded them a penalty. Nick Dalgety stepped forward to take it only to see his effort saved by keeper Grover, low to his right. However the referee signalled for a retake, adjudging Grover was off his line when the ball was hit. Dalgety struck the retake well enough but Grover was again equal to it. Newtonmore’s Craig MacLeod scored his second on the stroke of half-time to give ‘More a 2-1 interval lead. ‘More took control from the start of the second half, passing up several chances to extend their lead. However ‘Garry came back into the game and Nick Dalgety finished well again to make it 2-2 on 54 minutes. The game was now flowing from end-to-end and Craig MacLeod completed his hat-trick on 65 minutes to give Newtonmore the lead for the second time. Glengarry had made changes, moving Rhuairaidh MacDonald up front from half back, and it was now all one way traffic towards the visiting goal. Their pressure paid off when John MacKinnon made it 3-3 on 81 minutes with ‘More claiming in vain for offside. ‘Garry now had control of the game and the ‘More goal was under constant threat. Steven Cameron saw a shot go narrowly wide and Calum Grover produced save-after-save to keep the teams level. The all-important winning goal came a minute from time when a mishit ball out of defence came to the feet of Glengarry’s Steven Cameron and he lofted the ball into the danger area where Raymond Robertson’s well-hit shot went low into the corner of the net to put his side 4-3 ahead. Referee Graham Cameron blew for full-time just after with the game played in good spirit and, despite the importance of the match, there wasn’t a bad challenge or single incident the whole game. ‘Garry manager Ewen Cameron will be happy to have taken two points whilst ‘More boss Orsten Gardner will be delighted with how his young team played. The ever-green Steven Cameron and the ever-dangerous Nick Dalgety were the pick of the ‘Garry players. However the game’s stand-out player was Newtonmore keeper Calum Grover who kept his side it with several outstanding saves. Both teams can still win the league. Table-toppers Glengarry now lead the Newtonmore seconds by nine points but they have played five matches more. They will be concerned that their final match at Newtonmore is yet to be scheduled as ‘More play catch-up with their remaining fixtures, beginning with Aberdeen University’s visit to the Eilan this coming Saturday.
Fort William 3 Caberfeidh 1 The Fort William colts go second in the division after beating the Caberfeidh colts 3-0 at An Aird.
Kingussie 1 Skye Camanachd 1 The Kingussie reserves and the Skye Camanachd reserves met for the second time in three Saturdays; this time at the Dell where they shared the points following a 1-1 draw. Kingussie’s Lee Riddoch was suspended whilst Craig Dawson started at full forward. Skye had a couple of late call-offs and travelled with just twelve players. Chris MacLennan, making his first appearance of the season, put Skye ahead on 23 minutes. There was a scramble in the home defence and the ball broke to MacLennan who swept it home from inside the D. Cluanie Fraser pulled Kingussie level on 69 minutes when his ball from the wing was misjudged by stand-in Skye keeper David Grant and crept into the net. Kingussie full back Cameron Leiper played very well. Skye had a lot of defending to do and the excellent David MacInnes, fielded for the first time at full back, played on with a knee injury which later required a hospital visit whilst youngsters Sam MacPhee, Gilleasbuig MacVicar and Calum Robertson were also top performers.
Glenurquhart 6 Aberdeen University 2 The Glenurquhart reserves defeated bottom side Aberdeen University 6-2 in their 1pm throw up at Blairbeg.
Kinlochshiel 2 Inverness 1 The Inverness first team beat the Kinlochshiel second team 2-1 at Reraig. Kinlochshiel were missing Duncan “WD” MacRae, Martin MacRae, Andrew MacKenzie and Aaron Jack who were all on first team duty. Inverness were looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat to the Lovat seconds the previous week.
Mowi South Division 1 Lochside Rovers 2 Taynuilt 2 Lochside Rovers and Taynuilt shared the points following a 2-2 draw at Mossfield. Lochside had a number of absentees although Scott Robertson was free of suspension. Kieran Lopez played his first match since suffering a wrist injury at motocross and he had a good game on the wing. Veterans Scott Buchanan and Gareth Evans and 13 year old Daniel Pearson made up the Oban side’s bench. Taynuilt were along usual lines with Liam Higgins their main absentee. Lewis Buchanan gave Lochside the lead on 21 minutes. The ball broke to Buchanan 20 yards out and he sent it low into the corner of the net. Billy Irving equalised on 42 minutes. A long free-hit was played to the edge of the D and Irving turned his marker before sending a bouncing shot through the keeper’s legs from close range. Ewen MacCorquodale put Taynuilt ahead on 48 minutes when he found space 20 yards out on the right and he had time to tee the ball up before firing across the keeper into the opposite corner of the goal. Lochside were pushing but not testing Brian Logan in the Taynuilt goal and they brought on Scott Buchanan for Innes Jackson, using Buchanan’s experience on the D. Gareth Evans replaced Kieran Pearson in defence with 10 minutes remaining with Daniel Pearson taking over from his cousin Evan MacLellan, who suffered a shoulder injury, shortly after. Scott Buchanan’s introduction proved crucial with just 3 minutes remaining. Lewis Buchanan unleashed a 30 yard shot which was going wide but Scott Buchanan stretched forward, sticking out his club and deflecting the ball home off the post to make it 2-2. Son Lewis Buchanan would have been impressed with his father’s improvisation if not his goal celebration. This was a hard-fought, even game played in good spirit with Lochside’s Louis MacFarlane having a great game at half back. Next up for Lochside is a trip to Ballachulish this coming Saturday.
Kyles Athletic 0 Ballachulish 2 An Allan Clark double either side of the break earned Ballachulish a 2-0 victory against the Kyles Athletic second team at Tighnabruaich.
Mowi North Division 2 Kilmallie 5 Strathspey Camanachd 2 Fourth placed Kilmallie finished their season strongly with a 5-2 victory over third placed Strathspey at the Canal Parks. Strathspey, who spent most of the season battling it out with Lochcarron for the title, started well and Martin Hall and Xander Ross had them 2-1 ahead. Strathspey keeper Mark Taylor saved a first half penalty. This was Strathspey’s final match and the result means the Beauly second team finish runners-up in the league.
WCA Round Up It was international weekend for the Women’s Camanachd Association.
Munster (4-2) 14-10 (3-1) Scotland Scotland Ladies lost 14-10 in a close encounter with Munster Ladies in their Shinty / Camogie clash at the WIT Arena in Waterford on Saturday 5 October 2019.
There were also a couple of regional league fixtures on Sunday 6 October 2019.
Mowi North Division 2 Strathglass 3 Skye Camanachd 1 Strathglass were 3-1 winners in their 1pm throw up against the Skye Camanachd second team at Cannich. Eleanor Mann scored twice for the hosts with Laura Fraser getting the other. Lilidh Campbell countered for Skye.
Inverness 7 Kinlochshiel 1 Inverness were too strong for Kinlochshiel, winning 7-1 at the Bught Park. Katie McMillan was again top scorer for Inverness with four goals, Amber MacKay netted twice and Aisling Healy got the other. Beth Murphy bagged a consolation effort for ‘Shiel.
Youth Shinty It was one of the most anticipated weekends in the youth shinty calendar as the North and South U14 and U17 squads met at An Aird on Sunday 6 October 2019.
North U17 5 South U17 0 North U17 beat the South U17 5-0 in their 2pm throw up at An Aird. Skye’s Ross MacKinnon gave the North a 12 minute lead whilst club-mate Ross Gordon made it 2-0 on 35 minutes. Ross MacKinnon got his second and the North’s third a couple of minutes later whilst Lochaber’s Max Campbell on 44 minutes and Newtonmore’s Sorley Thomson on 75 minutes rounded of the 5-0 win. North captain Cam Clark from Kilmallie was presented with the Fraser MacPhee trophy by Duncan MacPhee afterwards. North U17 from: Murphy Henderson (Skye Camanachd), Johnny Forster (Fort William), Declan Brannan (Newtonmore), Connor MacGregor (Caberfeidh), Cameron Leiper (Kingussie), Struan Robertson (Kingussie), Hamish Shaw (Fort William), Cam Clark (Kilmallie), Cameron Bremner (Glenurquhart), Max Campbell (Lochaber), Ross Gordon (Skye Camanachd), Alastair Maclean (Strathglass), Ross MacKinnon (Skye Camanachd), Sorley Thomson (Newtonmore), Struan Ross (Newtonmore), Lewis Murphy (Fort William) Coaches: Lachie Innes & Willie MacDonald South U17 from: Dougie MacDonald (Oban Camanachd), Daniel Sloss (Oban Camanachd), Blair MacFarlane (Oban Camanachd), Ross Campbell (Oban Camanachd), Scott MacVicar (Col Glen), Murray McLymont (Col Glen), Kyle Kerr (Col Glen), Finan Kennedy (Col Glen), Scott Harvey (Bute), Aodan Burns (Aberdour), Campbell Watt (Inveraray), Lennan MacKechnie (Glenorchy), Ryan Barclay (Glenorchy), Jamie Anderson (Oban Celtic), Lennon Campbell (Oban Celtic), Murdo Macrae (Kyles Athletic), Coaches: Alan MacKechnie
North U14 5 South U14 1 Earlier in the afternoon, North U14 retained the Fraser MacPhee trophy with a 5-1 win over South U14 in their noon throw up at An Aird. Kingussie’s Taighan Macleod scored on 10 and 16 minutes to give the North a 2-0 lead. Oban Camanachd’s Kyle MacFarlane pulled a goal back on the half-hour mark but Beauly’s Calum MacIver was on target on 38 minutes to make it 3-1. Kinlochshiel’s Archie MacRae on 46 minutes and Beauly’s Finlay MacLennan on 70 minutes sealed victory. Bute keeper Gordon Currie, who captained the South squad, made a number of fine saves in the game. North skipper Archie MacRae stepped forward to take the trophy following the final whistle. North U14 from: Lennox Stewart (Beauly), Ketan MacKenzie (Kinlochshiel), Campbell Lamont (Kinlochshiel), Ian MacLauchlan (Beauly), William Sutherland (Skye Camanachd), Arron Jack (Kinlochshiel), Finlay MacLennan (Beauly), Ian Hunter (Inverness), Freddy Patterson (Ardnamurchan), Rory Slaughter (Kinlochshiel), Hope Borthwick (Kingussie), Archie MacRae (Kinlochshiel) (captain), Calum MacIver (Beauly), Cameron Stephen (Fort William), Rhys Kennedy (Fort William), Taighan Macleod (Kingussie) Coach: John Matheson South U14 from: Gordon Currie (Bute) (captain), Robin McAlister (Bute), Calum McMillan (Bute), Ronnie McMillan (Bute), Louie MacFarlane (Oban Camanachd), Innes Jackson (Oban Camanachd), Logan Black (Oban Camanachd), Finlay Cameron (Oban Camanachd), Joe MacVicar (Oban Camanachd), Kyle MacFarlane (Oban Camanachd), Daniel Pearson (Oban Camanachd), Duncan MacEwan (Oban Celtic), Innes Cameron (Kilmory), Andrew Innes (Kilmory), Cameron Weir (Glasgow Mid Argyll), Calum Bryden (Glasgow Mid Argyll) Coach: Les Kinvig
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report states differently) |