Narrow defeat for ’Aray in reversed season opener
The new shinty season is under way, with half the schedule beating the elements on Saturday March 7.
As part of the Camanachd Association’s work to raise awareness of mental health and well-being, all throw-ups took place a minute later than usual as a cue for conversation about mental health.
All shinty players and supporters were encouraged to use this time to check in with one another and support each other by listening.
Mowi National Division Glenurquhart 1 Inveraray 0
Inveraray’s match with Glenurquhart was moved to Blairbeg on Thursday when the Winterton was deemed unplayable.
Inveraray made a good start, enjoying much of the play for the first 20 minutes but, with heavy underfoot conditions restricting their silky style of shinty, Glenurquhart slowly worked their way into the game.
There were few efforts on goal in the first half with both full backs – Glenurquhart’s John Barr and Ross Montgomery for Inveraray – having good performances.
As the match became more physical, Inveraray bosses Ruaraidh Graham and Joe Fyfe took Lewis Montgomery from the centre and pushed him back into his usual role in the forward line.
Craig Taylor came off and
Ali McDonald joined the midfield in a bid to match Glenurquhart’s physicality.
Both teams continued to work hard and the closest to a goal was a Glenurquhart effort which came off the woodwork.
There was little between the teams as the second half got under way, both struggling with the conditions.
The decisive moment came on 56 minutes when referee Alex MacVicar awarded Glenurquhart a penalty and James MacPherson stepped up to score from the spot.
There were efforts on target at both ends during the remainder of the second half but both keepers – Stuart MacKintosh for the Glen and Inveraray’s Scott MacLachlan – were in fine form so there was no further scoring.
Fixture Inveraray head north again this weekend to face Skye Camanachd in what could be an important fixture in the promotion race.
Kyles Athletic’s Mowi Premiership match against newly-promoted Fort William was called off on Saturday morning with surface water on parts of the Fort pitch.
In Mowi South Division 1, the game between Col Glen and Bute was postponed due to an unplayable Glendaruel pitch, as was the Kyles reserves meeting with Tayforth.
The game between Kilmory and the Inveraray second team in Mowi South Division 2 was also called off.