Scotland come out on top in a close encounter with the Irish
SCOTLAND made it four successive Marine Harvest shinty/ hurling international home wins when they defeated Ireland 1815 on Saturday October 21.
Marine Harvest shinty/hurling international Scotland (2-12) 18 Ireland (0-15) 15
Scotland retained the Marine Harvest Quaich, beating Ireland 18-15 in their shinty/hurling international at The Bught Park, Inverness.
The players were led onto the field by Inverness Royal British Legion Pipe Band before they were introduced to Camanachd Association President John Barr, Inverness Provost Helen Carmichael, the GAA’s Frank Burke and Marine Harvest business support manager Steve Bracken ahead of the national anthems.
Scotland head coach Ronald Ross was delighted Rory Kennedy was able to start as the Newtonmore captain received treatment on his ankle injury at nearby Ross County Football Club right up to throw-up. Lovat’s Greg Matheson, who had been carrying a niggling injury, started on the bench. There were starting debuts in midfield for Newtonmore’s Michael Russell and Lovat’s Craig Mainland, whilst fellow debutants Daniel Grieve from Lovat and Kingussie’s Ryan Borthwick were on the bench.
Ireland co-managers William Maher and Conor Phelan, who led the Irish U21s to victory over their Scotland counter-parts last season, included four players from hurling’s elite with Tipperary’s James Barry starting in defence, whilst his Tipperary team-mate John McGrath, Cork’s Conor Lehane and Wexford’s Lee Chin provided a significant offensive threat.
Recent heavy rain left the Bught Park pitch soft and greasy in parts, but it held up well throughout the game.
Ireland won the toss of the coin and opted to start with a blinding sun at their backs. Early exchanges saw Ireland’s John McGrath send the ball wide of the posts whilst Scotland’s Glen MacKintosh did likewise after he controlled a good ball forward from his Newtonmore club-mate Steven MacDonald.
Ireland’s John McGrath opened the scoring when he sent the ball over the bar from wide on the right. A Kevin Bartlett dead-ball between the posts from the Scotland right, on stand side, initially looked as if it had put the Scots ahead but it was later correctly ruled that the ball took a nick off Ireland defender Damian Healy’s hurly so the score was reduced to a single point.
Recent history shows the Irish, especially with so many debutants, to be slow starters in this fixture but a great solo run and single point from Conor Lehane put Ireland back in front.
Kevin Bartlett put a twopoint chance wide before Andy O’Brien’s strike from wide on the right had the visitors 3-1 ahead.
Steven MacDonald, hitting into the sun, put a two-pointer from in front of the main stand wide with 12 minutes played.
A double save from Enda Rowland kept the Scots out when he first stopped a low Kevin Bartlett shot before saving Roddy MacDonald’s strike from the left.
Nice skill from Ben Conroy created a chance but his attempt dropped just past the keeper’s right post.
A good point from Ross King in a central position made it 4-1.
Kevin Bartlett’s magic touch looked to have deserted him when he hit another two-point chance from the left wide on 18 minutes.
Steven MacDonald asked questions of Irish keeper Rowland when he lofted a free on goal and the keeper did well to catch the ball and get it away under pressure from Roddy MacDonald, with Irish defender Damien Healy taking exception to MacDonald’s challenge.
John Barr then put a dead ball wide from the stand-side.
The Irish were continually penalised for ‘a hand on the back’ and Steven MacDonald took advantage, sending a twopoint opportunity from the left between the posts to make it 4-3.
Scotland were finding their rhythm and Kevin Bartlett found his range with a two-pointer from wide on the right to put Scotland in front for the first time in the match.
Ireland responded and Stuart MacDonald made a good stop, spreading himself to deny Ross King after substitute Alan Grant set up the opportunity.
Some more neat play from Alan Grant found Conor Lehane but he pulled his spectacular firsttime strike wide of target.
Kevin Bartlett missed a two-pointer from wide on the right at the second attempt after his first effort was illegally charged down.
Stuart MacDonald saved from Ross King after more good play from Alan Grant and John McGrath, but King was ruled offside.
Good play from Lee Chin on the left created a chance on 32 minutes but he couldn’t steer the ball between the posts and Ireland substitute Chris Bonus sent another chance wide. These spurned opportunities would later cost the Irish.
A low Kevin Bartlett shot went past the far post with the goal at his mercy.
The opening Scotland goal came shortly after. Glen MacKintosh found John MacRae on the Scotland left and MacRae, with his first touch after coming on as a substitute, fired a backhand shot goalwards. Keeper Rowland stopped the effort but Kevin Bartlett was quickly in to flick the dropping ball into the net. It was now 8-4 in Scotland’s favour with 35 minutes played.
Alan Grant sent a looping effort from the right past the far post.
Scotland had a chance a minute before break when Enda Rowland saved from Kevin Bartlett’s shot from the left and the keeper did just enough to thwart Glen MacKintosh from the re-bound.
There was still time for Lee Chin to get on to a loose ball and he made it 8-5 at the end of the first 40 minutes.
The sun had now gone, depriving Scotland of any second half advantage.
Glen MacKintosh came close to adding a second Scotland goal within seconds of the restart when his shot from the right came off the far post. Enda Rowland saved and batted the ball away after Kevin Bartlett had gathered the rebound.
A huge hit from Steven MacDonald from the left, in front of the main stand, was close but not close enough to add to the Scotland tally.
There was a flashpoint for referee Calum Girvan to deal with when Tommy Doyle caught Glen MacKintosh with a high swing and Michael Russell and Paul Coady were spoken to for their involvement in the aftermath, with Coady upset by Russell’s challenge.
Ireland’s David Reidy pulled a point back with the first score of the second half on 47 minutes.
A rare Irish two-pointer from John McGrath, wide on the left side, made it 8-8 on 51 minutes with the tide turning in Ireland’s favour.
Lee Chin found John McGrath and his turn and bouncing shot prompted Stuart MacDonald to save well, low to his left.
Seconds later, a Conor Lehane free was going wide but Andy O’Brien raced in at the back post and almost flicked the dropping ball home.
John McGrath linked well with Conor Lehane and Lehane put the ball over to put the Irish back into the lead.
Kevin Bartlett raced with keeper Rowland for a ball wide on the Scotland right. Rowland blocked Bartlett’s effort and Steven MacDonald sent the resultant 65 from the right wide of the posts.
Conor Lehane ran across the midfield before dropping the ball in on goal and Stuart MacDonald was forced to stretch to tip the ball over the bar and Ireland led 10-8. Scotland had still to score a second half point. There was a goalmouth scramble, with Roddy MacDonald shooting, but Enda Rowland got the bouncing ball away with Greg Matheson, on as a substitute, penalised by umpire John Angus Gillies for a shove on the keeper.
John MacRae had a halfchance but couldn’t get a clean connection on his shot and Rowland cleared.
Lee Chin made it 11-8 on 63 minutes after substitute Daniel Grieve had been penalised for a trip.
Scotland needed to stem the Irish scoring sequence and Kevin Bartlett did just that a minute later when he sent a 20 yard free from between the posts over the bar to narrow Ireland’s lead to a single point.
From a standing position, another Lee Chin lift and strike sent the ball over to make it 1012 after 65 minutes.
Kevin Bartlett had another great dead-ball chance after he had been pushed in the back and he made no mistake, driving the ball over to make it 12-12.
One of the game’s key moments came on 68 minutes. John MacRae found Ryan Borthwick on the Scotland left. A great run from Borthwick took him into the danger area and Rowland saved Borthwick’s shot but, as the keeper tried to clear the ball, Roddy MacDonald showed speed and bravery in equal measure to force the rebound over the line, smashing the keeper’s stick in the process. Scotland now led 15-12.
Scotland had the momentum and John MacRae won the ball in a melee, feeding Kevin Bartlett on the Scotland right. Bartlett had time to tee up his shot and although he caught the ball well enough, it cannoned back off the keeper’s left post.
Ireland fought back and Conor Lehane put a good chance wide from the edge of the ‘D’.
Scotland captain Finlay MacRae, who had moved forward from his defensive duties to slot into the midfield, sent the ball between the posts from the right and it was now 16-12.
A superb two-pointer from Kevin Bartlett from the middle of the park made it 18-12 with less than eight minutes to go.
James Doyle and Ben Conroy both struck balls wide and the game looked to be running away from Ireland.
Ireland pressed, knowing they needed a point, but some expert defending from Steven MacDonald won a free from John McGrath easing the pressure on the Scotland defence.
Conor Lehane collected a Chris Bonus touch but he sent the ball over the bar when he really should have found the back of the net with a couple of minutes remaining.
One of the game’s outstanding moments came a minute from time when Chris Bonus latched onto a loose ball. His shot was heading for the top corner of the net but Stuart MacDonald dived to his left to tip the ball away with his club in a miraculous save.
Ben Conroy did get his reward with a fine two-pointer from a tight angle from the right during the couple of minutes stoppage time, but it wasn’t enough and Scotland clinched a fourth successive home win in this fixture.
Scotland head coach Ronald Ross used his substitutions to great effect with John MacRae and Ryan Borthwick involved in the lead-up to the goals.
Ireland may have missed chances during the game but the Scots did too. It is also worth noting that only the width of the post denied both Glen MacKintosh and Kevin Borthwick a goal.
Ireland struggled to come to terms with some of the rules but the class from their big guns James Barry, John McGrath, Conor Lehane and Lee Chin shone through.
Steve Bracken from sponsors Marine Harvest presented the Marine Harvest Quaich to Scotland captain Finlay MacRae.
Marine Under 21 Harvest shinty/hurling international Scotland (2-9) 15 Ireland (5-4) 19
A storming second half display gave Ireland U21s a 19-15 victory over Scotland U21s in their Marine Harvest shinty/hurling international at The Bught Park, Inverness, on Saturday October 21.
This was a physical encounter and Scotland’s Danny Kelly sent the ball over the bar for the game’s opening point before the hosts bagged the game’s first goal. Scotland captain Arran MacPhee won possession on the left and ran in to score a fine individual goal, sending the ball low into the net.
A superb Chris Nolan solo run from the left ended with an Irish goal which made it 4-3.
Patrick Curran then showed his talent, taking on the Scottish defence before beating keeper Scott MacLachlan at his right side.
Arran MacPhee punished an Irish slip to score his second goal of the game and Scotland led 10-6 at half-time.
Ireland showed their class after the re-start, however. Wexford’s Cathal Dunbar set up Patrick Curran for his second goal of the game.
The impressive Curran completed his hat-trick following a solo run before Chris Nolan got his second, blasting the ball into the roof of the net.
Arran MacPhee was Scotland’s top performer and he added two points to his two goals. Danny Kelly notched five points in all with Nick Dalgety and Savio Genini getting the others.
As well as his three goals,
the excellent Patrick Curran chipped in with three points, whilst Shane Bennett also got a point.
Limerick’s Sean Finn Lynn captained the Irish and he was presented with the Marine Harvest Quaich after the game.
League matches
A few shinty league matches beat the weather at the weekend.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Bute 4 Taynuilt 1
Fifth-placed Bute beat Taynuilt 3-1 in their 2.30 throw-up at The Meadows.
Bute’s Frank Devlin finally served a one-match ban for exceeding the disciplinary points threshold. The ban was triggered at the end of August.
Stewart Stirling, James Craig, Robert Walker and Craig Fisher all netted for Bute, cancelling out Ewen MacCorquodale’s effort for Taynuilt.
Bute host Lochside Rovers this Saturday. Throw-up is at noon.
Kyles Athletic P Kilmory P
The noon meeting between the Kyles Athletic second team and Kilmory was switched to MacRae Park on Friday when it became clear Tighnabruaich would not be playable.
MacRae Park failed a Saturday morning pitch inspection though so the game was postponed.
The Kyles Athletic seconds are at home to Aberdour this Saturday, whilst Kilmory travel to Jubilee Park to play Ballachulish.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Bute 0 Strachur 0
The Bute seconds picked up a good point, drawing 0-0 with second-placed Strachur in their noon throw-up at The Meadows.
Bute’s Neil McKirdy was sent off by referee Ross Brown.
Dunoon Camanachd v Oban Lorn W/O
Dunoon Camanachd were unable to raise a team for their noon meeting with Oban Lorn at The Dunoon Stadium so the Oban side were awarded the points.
WCA round-up
The inaugural Women’s Camanachd Association meeting between North U14 and South U14 took place on Saturday October 21.
North U14 2 South U14 0
North U14 were 2-0 winners against South U14 in the inaugural meeting between the sides at The Bught Park outside pitch.
The Women’s Camanachd Association introduced this new category of U14 match to provide a better pathway for their younger players.
This representative match took place as a curtain raiser ahead of the shinty/hurling internationals between the Scotland and Ireland U21 and senior squads.
The North ran out 2-0 winners with Skye Camanachd duo Anna MacPhee and Ceitidh Smith on target.
Fort William’s Leah Maxtone, who played in the south team, was named player of the match.
The north were captained by Glenurquhart’s Abi Stoddart who was presented with the winner’s shield by Camanachd Association President-elect Keith Loades.
John Matheson was the match referee.
Marine Harvest National Division 1 Lochaber W/O v Lovat
Lovat were unable to raise a team for their trip to Spean Bridge to play Lochaber so title hopefuls Lochaber have been awarded the points.
Fort William v Glasgow Mid Argyll W/O
Glasgow Mid Argyll were awarded the points when Fort William were unable to raise a team for their meeting at An Aird.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Glengarry 0 Lochaber 0
Glengarry and the Lochaber second team drew 0-0 in their 2pm throw up. The match was transferred to Spean Bridge when Craigard was ruled unplayable.
The draw means Lochaber only need a point from this weekend’s match against Glenurquhart to win the Marine Harvest North Division 2 title.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Lorn Ladies P Oban Lorn P
The 1.30pm throw-up between Lorn Ladies and Oban Lorn at Ganavan was postponed.
This weekend’s shinty action
Oban Camanachd welcome Lovat to Mossfield this Saturday.
Home boss Iain Hay is back after missing his side’s last two matches and he should have defender Gary McKerracher available again after he missed the defeat to Newtonmore through a work event.
Lovat boss Fraser Gallacher will be without the banned Calum Cruden but Daniel Grieve should return.
Fort William face Inveraray at An Aird in the Marine Harvest National Division. Fort William need to win the match by 13 clear goals to pip Caberfeidh to the second promotion place to shinty’s top flight.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 champions Lochside Rovers have Craig MacDougall free of suspension for their trip to Tighnabruaich to take on the Kyles Athletic second team.
Lochside Rovers take coach and player awards
Lochside Rovers were to the fore at the recent Marine Harvest Shinty Awards.
Manager Gareth Evans was the recipient of the Marine Harvest South Division 1 Coach of the Year Award following a fantastic season for his side.
Lochside were crowned Marine Harvest South Division 1 champions with a couple of games to spare, dropping only four points in the process.
Manager Evans has moulded together a youthful side with a sprinkling of experience. They also lifted the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup, beating the Kingussie colts in the final.
Only a 1-0 Bullough Cup semi-final reverse against eventual winners Inveraray seconds robbed the side of the chance of going for the treble.
Lochside keeper Cameron Sutherland won the Marine Harvest South Division 1 Player of the Year Award.
Sutherland has only conceded 12 league goals in 16 league matches this season and he went on a seven game run without losing a goal during the season.
He was also very much in contention for a place in the Scotland U21 squad before eventually losing out to Inveraray’s Scott MacLachlan.
Strachur success wins awards
After a season-long break from shinty, Strachur’s successful return was marked at the 2017 Marine Harvest Shinty Awards.
Strachur finished second in Marine Harvest South Division 2 this season, earning Ali Mirrlees and Ross MacDonald the Coach of the Year award.
To cap off a great evening, Strachur’s Ollie Adrian collected the Marine Harvest South Division 2 Player of the Year prize.
Annual Marine Harvest shinty awards
The 2017 Annual Marine Harvest Shinty Award winners were announced at a ceremony and dinner hosted by sponsors Marine Harvest at the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness on Friday October 20.
The awards were handed out by Marine Harvest business support manager Steve Bracken. Overall awards:
Marine Harvest Coach of the Year – James Perlich, Kyles Athletic.
Marine Harvest Player of the Year – Andrew King, Kyles Athletic.
Marine Harvest Club of the Year – Kinlochshiel. League coach awards: Marine Harvest Premiership Coach of the Year – Johnston Gill, Kinlochshiel.
Marine Harvest National Division Coach of the Year – Willie Cowie and Peter Gordon, Skye Camanachd.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Coach of the Year – Ally MacLeod, Kingussie.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Coach of the Year – Gareth Evans, Lochside Rovers.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Coach of the Year – Ewen Cameron, Glengarry.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Coach of the Year – Ali Mirrlees and Ross MacDonald, Strachur.
League player awards: Marine Harvest Premiership Player of the Year – Mark MacDonald, Kinlochshiel.
Marine Harvest National Division Player of the Year – Blair Morrison, Caberfeidh.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Player of the Year – Ewen Fraser, Aberdeen University.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Player of the Year – Cameron Sutherland, Lochside Rovers.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Player of the Year – Nick Dalgety, Glengarry.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Player of the Year – Ollie Adrian, Strachur.
Women’s Camanachd Association Awards
WCA Marine Harvest Club of the Year – Skye Camanachd.
WCA Marine Harvest National Division 1 Coach of the Year – Robbie Gordon, Skye Camanachd.
WCA Marine Harvest North Division 2 Coach of the Year – Ewen Cameron, Glengarry.
WCA Marine Harvest South Division 2 Coach of the Year – Lyndsay Bradley, Ardnamurchan.
WCA Marine Harvest Development Coach of the Year – Elaine Wink, Fort William.
WCA Marine Harvest National Division 1 Player of the Year – Lorna MacRae, Skye Camanachd.
WCA Marine Harvest North Division 2 Player of the Year – Jade Longworth, Strathspey.
WCA Marine Harvest South Division 2 Player of the Year – Lucy MacMillan, Ardnamurchan.
WCA Marine Harvest Development League (West) Player of the Year – Freya Strachan, Strathglass.
WCA Marine Harvest Development League (East) Player of the Year – Isla MacKay, Tayforth, and Hope Borthwick, Badenoch and Strathspey
WCA Marine Harvest Volunteer of the Year – Karen Williamson, Glengarry.
Youth awards
Marine Harvest Youth Coach of the Year – Dallas Young and Iain Borthwick, Kingussie.
U14 Player of the Year – Max Campbell, Lochaber.
U17 Player of the Year – Calum MacDougall, Kilmallie. U21 Player of the Year – Arran MacPhee, Fort William.
Donella Crawford Award for Youth and Schools – Ally Lamont, Lewis Camanachd.
Referee Awards
Johnny ‘Ach’ MacRae Quaich for Referee of the Year – Lachie Wood, Lochgilphead.
Emerging Referee of the Year – Des McNulty, Dalmally.
Volunteer awards
William Paterson Salver Volunteer of the Year – Dondy Robertson, Fort William.
Marine Harvest Centenary Award 2017-2020 – Donald Skinner, Glasgow.
Fair-play awards
Fair Play Award - One Team Club – Lewis Camanachd and Lochcarron.
Fair Play Award - Two Team Club – Skye Camanachd.
Media award
Media Award – Charles Bannerman.