The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 8 October 2022 | |
09 October 2022 Kilmallie’s relegation from the Mowi Premiership was confirmed, Skye take the Mowi National Division’s top spot and the Newtonmore colts retained the HIS Sutherland Cup following the shinty action on Saturday 8 October 2022.
Mowi Premiership Oban Camanachd 4 Kilmallie 0 Oban Camanachd’s 4-0 win over Kilmallie, in their 1.30pm throw up at Mossfield, confirmed the Canal Parks side relegation to the Mowi National Division. The wet weather through the week led to an 8am Saturday morning pitch inspection when the game was given the go-ahead. All the hard work from Groundsman Iain Hay and his team left the pitch in excellent condition for the time of year. Oban Camanachd’s Daniel MacVicar was free of suspension, and he returned to the attack. Boss Gareth Evans also had David Cameron and David Lafferty back and both started. The game came too soon for the injured Malcolm Clark whilst Daniel Cameron and Craig Easton were unavailable. The versatile Scott MacMillan started in defence where his clean hitting was a big asset. It was also confirmed that Louie MacFarlane had suffered a broken arm in the previous week’s game at Caberfeidh and although he misses the remainder of the season, he can be more than pleased with his contribution to the team this year. Kilmallie, now managed by club stalwart Peter Jackson, beat Kyles Athletic in their last outing but their top flight survival chances were already bleak given their inferior goal difference and that the two other teams battling to beat the drop, Glasgow Mid Argyll and Fort William, still have to play each other. Michael Rodger was amongst their absentees and they fielded a youthful side, with one eye on a rebuild, with the notable exception of 54 year old Keith Blackhall who played at centre with his son Innes Blackhall also fielded in this top flight game. Kilmallie started their final fixture of the season with the wind and with Oban Camanachd lacking a killer touch up front, the visitors grew in confidence as the half went on. After a competitive but goalless first 45 minutes, the Oban side made the breakthrough on 53 minutes. The ball spun into the air at the edge of the D and Daniel Madej, as he has done several times already this season, volleyed the ball home to make it 1-0. Oban Camanachd, with Evan MacLellan having a great game at wing centre, doubled their advantage just 5 minutes later. And it was Daniel Madej again although this one was more of a tap-in compared to his earlier spectacular effort. Daniel Madej completed his hat-trick with a good finish from the edge of the box on 68 minutes. Innes Jackson added a fourth on 76 minutes with a low, hard shot that that gave the keeper little chance. Daniel MacVicar had opportunities to add to his tally for the season, but it proved to be a frustrating return to the side. Oban Camanachd took the chance to give a debut from the bench to 15 year old Alexander MacDonald at half back and he didn’t look out of place in the senior team.
Caberfeidh 1 Lovat 0 Caberfeidh’s fine recent form continued as they won for the seventh successive match, beating Lovat 1-0 in their noon throw up at Castle Leod. The only goal of the game came on 10 minutes. The ball broke to Taylor Condon in the box and his shot was heading for the bottom corner of the net. Callum Cruden made a great save to keep the ball out but, unfortunately for Lovat, used his hand when doing so and referee Des McNulty pointed to the spot. Craig Morrison struck the penalty just to the keeper’s left, above head height, to make it 1-0. The strike means that Morrison has equalled his 36-goal haul from the 2019 shinty season. This was an end-to-end encounter and both keepers – Iain McCall for Cabers and Lovat player / manager Jamie Matheson, who was deputising for Stuart MacDonald - made some great saves throughout the game so there was no further scoring. With 9 minutes remaining, there was what appeared to be a bizarre red card for Lovat’s Bailey MacKay. MacKay and referee McNulty were involved in an accidental collision and words were exchanged which led to a booking. After a further exchange, when the player was asked for his name, MacKay received a second yellow card and was sent from the field. The upshot is that Bailey MacKay will miss Lovat’s fixture with Kingussie at Balgate on Saturday when victory will guarantee the Kings the title. The game completed Caberfeidh’s season and, just prior to the match, the club confirmed that manager Jodi Gorski steps down after six successful seasons in charge. Gorski took over from Lee Nicol as Caberfeidh boss ahead of the 2017 shinty season. The club had just finished fourth in the Mowi National Division, and he took them on a journey into the Mowi Premiership with appearances in the Balliemore and MacTavish Cup Finals along the way. This has all culminated in this year’s best-ever points total in the shinty’s top flight. Caberfeidh shinty club offered, “gratitude and appreciation for Jodi’s dedication and organisational skills which have led to year-on-year improvement and laid the foundation for his successor.” The club will confirm Gorski’s successor in due course, and he will be a hard act to follow. However, he will remain involved at the club as he is taking on a youth role, alongside Scott Anderson, where his experience will be so beneficial in developing the club’s young players.
Kyles Athletic P Glasgow Mid Argyll P The match between Kyles Athletic and Glasgow Mid Argyll at Tighnabruaich was postponed 48 hours ahead of throw up as the pitch was unplayable. Glasgow Mid Argyll travel to Kinlochshiel on Saturday.
Mowi National Division Beauly 0 Skye Camanachd 2 Skye Camanachd toppled league leaders Beauly with a 2-0 win in their top of the table clash at Braeview Park which guarantees the Islanders a place in next year’s Mowi Premiership. Beauly have been runaway leaders in the division for most of the season, but Skye continued to win their games in hand, drawing level on points at the summit with last week’s win over Inveraray. Beauly youngster Finlay MacLennan was on the bench but carrying a hand injury and host’s goal difference was such that even a draw would have left them title favourites ahead of their final match at home to Inveraray. Skye needed to win and boss Kenny Macleod named an unchanged starting twelve. Iain MacLellan returned to take a place on the bench, but Martin Pringle remained out with a hamstring injury. This was a tense affair and whilst Beauly had more of their share of the first half possession, Skye created the better chances with home keeper Martin MacDonald the busier of the two goalies. Enforced changes affected both sides as Beauly duo Euan McCormick and Colin MacDonald were withdrawn with Skye defender John Gillies hampered by a tight hamstring forcing a reshuffle which saw Iain MacLellan join the midfield, Ross MacKinnon go to buckshee back and William MacKinnon to full back. Skye broke the deadlock on 73 minutes. Jordan Murchison’s 25-yard shot was saved by home keeper Martin MacDonald, but Ross Gordon was quickly in to steer the rebound home. Skye keeper Murphy Henderson was quickly off his line to clear a dangerous Beauly attack soon after and the next goal was going to be crucial. Ross Gordon was again involved on 82 minutes when he was fouled on the Skye left. Substitute Somhairle MacDonald rolled the free-hit short to James Pringle and, from around 25 yards out, he sent a wonderful strike, high into the top corner of the net. It was a goal fit enough to win any game. Going into the final matches of the season, Skye hold a two point lead over Beauly at the top of the table. Inveraray are third and whilst they could still technically match Beauly’s points total, it would take a massive goal difference swing for them to finish second. Skye travel to Inveraray on Saturday and a draw will secure the title. The hosts will be without the suspended Ross MacMillian whilst Skye will check on John Gillies and Martin Pringle. Inveraray follow up their Skye clash with a trip to Glenurquhart the week after before completing their season at Beauly on Saturday 29 October 2022 in what is also Beauly’s final match of the season.
Highland Industrial Supplies Sutherland Cup Final Newtonmore 3 Lovat 2 (After extra-time) It took extra-time before the Newtonmore second team retained the Highland Industrial Supplies Sutherland Cup with a 3-2 win over the Lovat second team in their 3pm throw up at Blairbeg. Having already beating their opponents 7-1 in the Strathdearn Cup Final this season, Newtonmore started as favourites but it was Lovat who took an 8 minute lead. Iain Nicolson won possession in midfield and found Raymond Rennie who flicked the ball over his head to send Ryan Ferguson running through on goal. Ferguson took the ball to the right before lifting in by the onrushing Jason MacDonald in the Newtonmore goal. ‘More drew level just 10 minutes after when Glen MacKintosh gathered the ball to the right of the D following a good hit-in on the right. MacKintosh avoided the attentions of a couple of defenders before turning and rifling a shot from a tight angle by Lovat keeper Ronan MacMillan to make it 1-1. Lovat regained the lead on 52 minutes when Raymond Rennie prevented Cameron McNiven clearing his lines before shooting home on his backhand. Lovat held their lead until 15 minutes from time when referee Martin MacLean awarded ‘More a penalty and Glen MacKintosh struck the spot-hit low by the keeper’s legs. With no further scoring, extra-time ensued and the final was just 4 minutes away from a penalty shoot-out when Evan Menzies scored the winning goal. There didn’t seem to be much danger when Menzies gathered the ball in a central position but his shot on the half-turn dipped into the bottom corner of the net on the keeper’s right side. There was a good-sized crowd at the game and after the final whistle, the Sutherland Cup, and the captain’s silver mounted caman, was presented to Newtonmore skipper James Ross by Garry MacKintosh from HIS.
Mowi North Division 1 Fort William 3 Inverness 1 League leaders Inverness firsts stumbled for the third successive match as they lost 3-1 to the Fort William second team in their noon throw up at An Aird. The early start allowed supporters to attend the HIS Sutherland Cup Final at Blairbeg and when the action got underway, Padraig McNeil gave the Fort a 12 minute lead with a good strike. Both keepers made top saves before promising youngster Archie MacKinnon doubled the host’s advantage with a goal on the half-hour. Despite the loss of Struan Stephen through injury, the Fort took their two-goal lead into the break. Inverness danger-man Steven Bellshaw pulled a goal back with a fine finish. Fort William claimed for a penalty when Jack Kearney was bundled off the ball inside the D but referee Steven MacLachlan waved away their claims. Jack Kearney was unable to continue so Ryan Cairns came on in his place. With the outcome in the balance, Fort William’s Sean Maclellan sent a great shot high into the net to make it 3-1. Inverness fought back but Arran Stephen, Gordon Stevenson and David Wright proved formidable opponents in the Fort defence.
Kingussie 4 Skye Camanachd 3 The Kingussie colts edged out the Skye Camanachd colts 4-3 in an entertaining 11am throw up at the Dell. The Kings agreed to Skye’s request for an early throw up so that the Islanders could head for Braeview Park afterwards to cheer on their first team in their top of the table clash against Beauly. Michael Slimon continued his good recent scoring run when he gave the hosts a 7 minute lead. James Robertson levelled a couple of minutes later before Ryan Nicolson put Skye in front on 38 minutes. However Robert Shiells netted on 42 minutes to make it 2-2 at the turnaround. Kingussie regained the lead on the hour with Robert Shiells getting his second. Robert Shiells completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot on 68 minutes after referee Iain Kennedy had awarded a spot-hit. Skye youngster Archie Millar made it 4-3 with 15 minutes remaining but Kingussie stayed in front to take the points.
Caberfeidh 4 Kinlochshiel 3 The Caberfeidh reserves came from 3-0 down to beat the Kinlochshiel reserves 4-3 in a remarkable 3pm throw up at Castle Leod. It started so well for ‘Shiel when Lewis MacVicar on 19 minutes, Liam Matheson a minute later and Rory Slaughter on 29 minutes gave them a 3-0 lead. Ruaraidh MacLeman gave Cabers hope with a goal a minute before the break and he got another a minute after the restart to make it 3-2. Ruaraidh MacLeman completed his hat-trick on the hour and when referee Ewen MacLean awarded Cabers a penalty on 76 minutes, Ruaraidh MacLeman, who else, stepped up to score from the spot and give Cabers a 4-3 victory.
Mowi South Division 1 Ballachulish P Bute P The meeting between Ballachulish and the Bute first team was called off on Saturday morning as the Jubilee Park was ruled unplayable.
Mowi North Division 2 Lochaber W/O v Strathspey Camanachd The Lochaber second team were awarded the points when Strathspey Camanachd were unable to fulfil their fixture at Spean Bridge.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report states differently)
Mòd Cup Preview Tayforth v Aberdour Shinty returns to Perth for the first time in a decade when Tayforth and the Aberdour second team contest the Mòd Cup at the North Inch, as part of the Royal National Mòd, on Saturday 15 October 2022. Tayforth shinty club were established in 1973 and were based in Perth for the first 40 years of their existence. During this time the club drew upon Highlanders and Irish living in the area, but also encouraged several locals to get involved with no lack of success. However, they have played in Edinburgh since the early 2010s so this homecoming may only be temporary. The Mòd Cup, always played for by two sides from near the Mòd venue, was first competed for by giants Newtonmore and Kingussie at the Aviemore Mòd in 1969 and remains the only trophy Kingussie have never won. Tayforth previously lifted the Mòd Cup in 1980, 1986, 1996 and 2004, when the Mòd was last held in the Fair City, and a win on Saturday will see them become the first club to win the trophy five times. By way of contrast, Aberdour, formed in 2001, have never competed for the Mòd Cup, having been scheduled to play the 2008 Falkirk Mòd final in Grangemouth which was cancelled due to inclement weather. The match marks a final refereeing performance from stalwart Henry MacInnes, the inspiration behind Fergie Macdonald’s classic tune ‘The Shinty Referee’. It is a fitting finale for the proud Gael who has refereed Lewis Camanachd home matches right up to this season but will retire his whistle for the last time after this game. The Tayforth and Aberdour women’s teams contest the LearnGaelic trophy, one of the few trophies in the women’s code played on a 12 a-side basis. Aberdour’s higher league status makes them favourites. There will also be a youth competition and a come and try session for new shinty players in the morning before the matches. All events are supported by An Comunn Gàidhealach, Perth and Kinross Council, Live Active, Iomain Cholmcille and the Camanachd Association.
Youth Shinty Skye U14s Secure League & Cup Double Skye Camanachd under-14 are league champions after beating Fort William under-14 8-1 in their Mowi North of Scotland Division 1 (Phase 2) match at An Aird on Friday 7 October 2022. This 5pm throw up was Skye’s final game of the season as, with available dates reducing, the sides agreed to play it as a double-header as they had yet to play in Portree. The pitch was playable although it was a wet evening and Skye ran up a 6-1 interval lead with Brody MacQueen scoring twice and Oliver Langlands, Iain MacInnes, Rylie Anderson and Harry Speed getting the others. Oliver Langlands got his second after the restart to make it 7-1 whilst Reid Constance added an eighth to round off the win. The victory means the Skye youngsters, led by Youth Coach Allan Macleod, assisted by Ryan Nicolson, have completed the season undefeated and add the league championship to the MacMaster Cup won earlier in the season. After the final whistle, and just as following the Mowi MacMaster Cup Final, Skye skipper Iain MacInnes came forward to be presented with the trophy.
Youth Representative Matches The date and venue have been set for the annual representative youth matches between the North and the South. The North and South under-14s and the North and South under-17s will meet at An Aird, Fort William on Sunday 30 October 2022. The squads will be announced in the lead up to the games. |