| |
The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 22 September 2012 | |
27 September 2012 Newtonmore retained the Orion Group Premiership trophy and Lochaber took a huge step towards the Marine Harvest North Division 1 title on Saturday 22 September 2012.
Orion Group Premiership Glenurquhart 0 Newtonmore 2 Newtonmore clinched their third successive Orion Group Premiership title following a 2-0 win over Glenurquhart at Blairbeg. The sides played at the Eilan a fortnight ago when they were only separated by an Evan Menzies goal. The Glen were without James MacPherson whilst a hand injury sustained the previous week ruled out Evan Menzies for ‘More. Indeed Menzies could be missing for some time as he plans to head to Australia for a year. Ace marksman Danny MacRae tucked the ball home to put Newtonmore ahead after 11 minutes. When Chris Sellar made it 2-0 on 20 minutes, the visiting support could start to celebrate. The early lead settled Newtonmore and they could have added to their tally had it not been for some good saves from home keeper Stuart MacKintosh from all four visiting forwards. However it took a good Michael Ritchie save at the other end to prevent the Glen from pulling a goal back early in the second half. The importance of this save was later acknowledged by Newtonmore boss Norman MacArthur who stepped down at the end of the game after five years in the hot seat. Assistants Willie Menzies and Eddy Harrigan have also intimated their wish to also take a break from top flight shinty. The highlight of their tenure was last year’s Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup success although Newtonmore have shown remarkable consistency in the league, winning the title three times whilst losing out on goal difference and by a point on the other two occasions. Camanachd Association President Archie Stewart presented the Orion Group Premiership trophy to Newtonmore captain John MacKenzie. Lovat 2 Inveraray 0 Lovat have secured an impressive third place finish in the Orion Group Premiership following their 2-0 win over Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup runners-up Inveraray at Balgate. Lovat were along usual lines but Inveraray were short of numbers. They were without captain Scott Robertson so Allan MacDonald filled in at full back and he kept a close watch on Lovat danger-man Greg Matheson. Ruairidh Graham, who, like Robertson, intimated his decision to retire following last weekend’s cup final, was also missing as were Douglas Dando, Stuart Robertson and Russell MacKinlay. Youngster Lewis MacNicol was given a starting slot in the wing centre position. The bright sun at Balgate made it difficult for both keepers during the game. Lorne MacKay, who had a tremendous first half for the home side, burst forward from his wing centre position after 8 minutes and his shot deceived visiting keeper Graham MacPherson to give Lovat a 1-0 lead. A speculative Ryan Ferguson shot from the wing made it 2-0 just 10 minutes into the second half. Lovat would have won by a bigger margin but for some good saves from Inveraray keeper Graham MacPherson. Their third place finish is a remarkable turnaround for the side which had to win their last match of the 2011 shinty season to avoid relegation.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Lochaber 3 Skye Camanachd 0 League leaders Lochaber are closing in on the Marine Harvest North Division 1 title following their 3-0 win over second place Skye Camanachd at Spean Bridge. Click on the following link to read the match report in full (to follow) Beauly 3 Inverness 2 Fourth place Beauly eventually ran out 3-2 winners against fifth place Inverness at Braeview Park. Beauly included Conor Ross in their squad after some impressive performances for their successful second team. Inverness were without midfielder Craig Nicholson who was suspended. Inverness actually made the better start to the game without being able to break the Beauly back line. Beauly then raced into a 3-0 lead with all the goals coming within the first half hour. Martin MacFadyen shot home from 15 yards to make it 1-0 on 5 minutes and Jack MacDonald added a second on 26 minutes. When Barrie MacDonald added a third a minute later, the home side looked in control. Indeed it took some good saves from Inverness keeper Adam MacMaster prevent Beauly from further increasing their lead. However Davie Glass pulled a goal back 4 minutes before the break and James Cameron made it 3-2 on 76 minutes to set up a tense finish but Beauly held on to take both points. Beauly’s Connor Cormack suffered an ankle injury during the game which forced him to sit out the Scotland U21 training session in Taynuilt the following day. Aberdeen University P Glenurquhart P Aberdeen University were unable to raise a team for their home match with Glenurquhart so the match will be rescheduled for a later date.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Ballachulish 0 Aberdour 0 Aberdour travelled to Jubilee Park to play their final league match of the season against Ballachulish. They returned home with a point following a scoreless draw in this 12.30pm throw up. A Duncan MacDonald hat-trick helped Ballachulish to a 5-4 win when the sides met in Fife earlier in the season but there was to be no goal feast this time as the game finished 0-0. Third place Ballachulish still have another game to play after this one. Bute W/0 v Tayforth Tayforth were unable to raise a team for their trip to the Meadows to play Bute so the points were awarded to the Islanders.
Marine Harvest North Division 3 Kilmallie 5 Beauly 5 Fourth place Kilmallie and champions Beauly shared the points and 10 goals at the Canal Parks. The visitors were without wing centre Connor Ross who was on first team duty. This was the side’s first meeting in the league as Kilmallie were unable to raise a team for their trip to Braeview Park earlier in the season. Martin Davidson continued his good scoring run with a brace for the visitors whilst Jordan Keil, Scott MacLean and Willie MacGillivray got the others. However North U14 player Craig MacIsaac was a four goal hero for Kilmallie and Brian MacKinnon was also on target in a thrilling 5-5 draw. Picture courtesy of Neil G Paterson Click on the link to see more action shots |