Shinty round up
Kingussie lifted the Artemis Macaulay Cup and Lovat secured the final Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup semi-final spot following the shinty action on Saturday 21 August 2021.
Artemis Macaulay Cup Final Kyles Athletic 1 Kingussie 4
Holders Kingussie took the Artemis Macaulay Cup back to the Dell following their 4-1 victory over Kyles Athletic in their 4.10pm throw-up at Mossfield, Oban.
The rain had eased ahead of throw-up but become heavier again as the final progressed, but groundsman Iain Hay and his team had the pitch in great condition.
Kingussie’s Calum Grant recovered sufficiently from an ankle injury to take a place on the bench so Ryan Borthwick continued at wing back.
Kyles Athletic defender Scott MacDonald was expected to miss out with a broken thumb but he declared himself fit to play. A broken bone in his lower leg ruled out George Thomson so former Skye player Neil MacVicar started. Donald Irvine and Rupert Williamson were substitutes.
Kyles Athletic’s plans to contain the Kingussie attack suffered an early blow when James Falconer turned home a rebound from the left of the ‘D’ on six minutes after Ruaridh Anderson’s shot from distance was saved by Kyles keeper John Whyte.
Kingussie went back on the attack and Whyte stretched to make a brilliant save with his stick, keeping out James Hutchison’s shot which was heading for the top corner of the net.
John Whyte stood firm as Kingussie tried to add to their tally. First, he raced off his line to deny Ruaridh Anderson before turning away Roddy Young’s low shot.
Colin MacDonald had a halfchance from the edge of the ‘D’ but wasn’t able to make the most of it.
Neil MacVicar was troubled by a thigh injury and limped off just after the half-hour to be replaced by Donald Irvine who made his first appearance of the season.
There was still time for John Whyte to save from Savio Genini and for all Kingussie’s pressure, they only had 1-0 advantage at the turnaround.
John Whyte saved with his feet from Roddy Young as the second half began in a similar fashion to the first 45 minutes.
Ryan Borthwick put in a great challenge on Colin MacDonald at the edge of the ‘D’ at the expense of a corner as Kyles reminded their opponents of their threat.
Innes MacDonald was yellow-carded by referee Calum Girvan for a late hack at Ruaridh Anderson.
John Whyte saved when Savio Genini found Fraser Munro on the left from a free-hit but a second and decisive Kingussie goal was only minutes away.
It came on 69 minutes when Roddy Young was bundled over to the right of the ‘D’. Savio Genini scooped the freehit into the middle and Kyles failed to clear allowing James Falconer to shoot. John Whyte saved, but Kieran MacPherson had pushed forward from midfield and he turned the rebound home.
James Falconer got his second goal on 75 minutes. Savio Genini prevented Donald Irvine from clearing a ball out of the goal area and it broke to James Falconer on the right. Falconer took a touch forward before sending a shot through the keeper’s legs from the tightest of angles.
Kyles pulled a goal back on 78 minutes when Innes MacDonald’s lofted ball from wide on the left was misjudged by Kingussie keeper Rory MacGregor and the ball dropped under the bar to make it 3-1.
Kyles took a lift from the goal and Ross MacRae and Roddy MacDonald had efforts but it was Kingussie’s Lee Bain, just on for Savio Genini, who sealed the victory a couple of minutes from time. Roddy Young slipped as he was about to shoot and the ball fell to Lee Bain who shot low into the net from just right of the penalty spot.
Kingussie’s Ryan Borthwick was deservedly named Artemis man of the match and Kingussie captain Rory MacKeachan accepted the trophy from Artemis Investment Manager Graeme Mitchell.
Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup – quarter final Oban Camanachd 1 Lovat 3
Lovat reached the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup semi finals after beating Oban Camanachd 3-1 in their 1pm throw-up at Taynuilt Sports Field This tie was rescheduled from the previous weekend following a covid outbreak in Oban and with Mossfield hosting the Artemis Macaulay Cup Final, the game was switched to Taynuilt.
The constant rain made for difficult conditions and Fraser Heath put Lovat ahead on 21 minutes. The Oban Camanachd defence didn’t deal with Drew Howie’s hit-in from the right and when the ball came back to Howie, he sent it forward into the danger area. Oban failed to clear again and as Scott McKillop tried to send the ball up-field, he played it straight to Fraser Heath who fired low on his backhand past Cameron Sutherland. Malcolm Clark equalised on 29 minutes when Evan MacLellan’s corner from the right dropped for him just inside the ‘D’ and he swept the ball home.
Ross Campbell shot over the bar as the Oban side tried to get in front.
Lovat regained the lead through Greg Matheson on 32 minutes when he ran onto a free-hit from Lewis Tawse and sent the ball low into the net on his backhand.
Marc MacLachlan made it 3-1 on 64 minutes, picking a great time to score his first goal of the season. Fraser Heath, bandaged following a head knock which later required stitches, played the ball into the ‘D’ from wide on the right. Cameron Sutherland came off his line to stop the ball with his legs but the ball came to MacLachlan at the edge of the ‘D’ and he rolled the ball low into the net to make it 3-1.
Oban Camanachd pushed Daniel Cameron and Daniel Sloss up front for the closing stages, but Lovat were resolute.
A clearly disappointed Oban Camanachd manager Stephen Sloss said: ‘It wasn’t a good day. Lovat punished mistakes we made at the back whilst we weren’t creative enough in attack and we’re clearly not scoring enough goals in the big games.
‘We need more from some players in these games but we will re-group and get ready for Ballachulish in the Celtic Society Cup quarter final on Saturday.’
The Tulloch Homes Camanachd semi-final line-up is now confirmed. Kinlochshiel and Kyles Athletic meet at Taynuilt Sports Field on Saturday August 28 then Kingussie face Lovat at An Aird on Saturday September 4. Both semi-finals throw-up at 4.10pm and are live on BBC ALBA.
cottages.com MacTavish Cup – second round Beauly 2 Caberfeidh 5
Caberfeidh beat Beauly for the first time this season, coming from two goals down to win 5-2 at Braeview Park.
It looked good for Beauly when Jack MacDonald on seven minutes and Ross Forbes on 24 minutes gave them a two-goal advantage.
But Craig Morrison scored on 33 and 45 minutes, either side of Kevin Bartlett’s effort on 37 minutes, to see Caberfeidh 3-2 ahead at the break.
Craig Morrison completed his hat-trick a couple of minutes after the re-start and he claimed his fourth goal of the afternoon with eight minutes remaining.
Strathglass P Kinlochshiel P
The match between Strathglass and Kinlochshiel at Cannich was called off earlier in the week due to Covid restrictions affecting the home club.
Mowi Senior League A Kilmallie 3 Skye Camanachd 1
Kilmallie turned in their best performance of the season to beat Skye Camanachd 3-1 at Canal Parks.
It was an understrength Kilmallie side which took the field as suspension continued to rule out Innes Blackhall, whilst Callum MacDougall has a long-term injury. Shane Gillies, Steven Stewart, Michael Rodger, Lewis Birrell, Dylan Monk and Liam Cameron were also missing. Kevin Toye answered the call to play in goals and he made a couple of good saves.
James Pringle returned for Skye, but Jordan Murchison and Ross Gordon remained on the injury list along with Will Cowie.
Daniel Stewart gave the hosts the lead on 15 minutes when he battled to win possession far out on the left and his cross
come-shot bounced over Skye keeper Ryan Morrison’s foot on its way into the net.
Iain MacLellan pulled Skye level with a great strike on 21 minutes. MacLellan hit the ball from 30 yards out on the left and it rose into the top corner of the net, giving the keeper no chance.
Stuart Callison scored his first goal for Kilmallie on 27 minutes and Callison got his second and Kilmallie’s third on 69 minutes when the ball broke to him following a tussle outside the ‘D’.
The only disappointment for Kilmallie was the recurrence of a leg injury which cut short Ryan Stewart’s comeback.
Speaking after the game, Kilmallie boss Martin Stewart said: ‘I was really pleased with the performance, more so than any other this season. We were missing at least six regular starters but the guys who came into the side did so well. Aidan Love and Ben MacKinnon were excellent in the wing centre positions and I thought Craig MacIsaac ran the show up front.
‘John Gillies did very well at full back for Skye and kept them in it at times. It’s a pity we don’t have a game this Saturday but we’ll continue to train hard so we can build on this.’
Lochaber 5 Glenurquhart 3
Lochaber ran out 5-3 victors against Glenurquhart in their 3pm throw-up at Spean Bridge.
Ben Delaney on 23 minutes and Jack Dignan on 29 minutes had the hosts 2-0 ahead at half-time.
Josh MacDonald Haig pulled a goal back on 64 minutes but Ben Delaney’s second three minutes later restored Lochaber’s two-goal cushion.
Gregor Cameron made it 4-1 on 75 minutes and although David MacLennan’s penalty on 81 minutes and Jed Stoddart’s effort on 86 minutes reduced the deficit to a single goal, Jack Dignan got his second with a couple of minutes remaining to make the final score 5-3.
HIS Sutherland Cup - third round Lochside Rovers P Kinlochshiel P
The 1pm throw-up between holders Lochside Rovers and the Kinlochshiel seconds at Ganavan was postponed because of Covid restrictions.
The tie has been rescheduled for Ganavan a week on Saturday.
Last week’s HIS Sutherland Cup semi-final draw sees the winner from the tie between Lochside Rovers and the Kinlochshiel seconds paired with 2019 finalists Lovat seconds, whilst the Beauly seconds meet the Newtonmore seconds. The ties are scheduled for Saturday September 4 at neutral venues.
The HIS Sutherland Cup Final takes place at Blairbeg on Saturday October 16.
Mowi North League A Lochcarron 3 Skye Camanachd 2
Lochcarron beat the Skye Camanachd second team 3-2 in an entertaining derby at Battery Park on Tuesday August 17.
Lochcarron boss Murdo John Fraser suffered a blow ahead of this 7pm throw-up when the influential David MacCuish was ruled out because of work commitments. Gregor Cushnie was also working.
Skye player/manager Allan MacLeod was missing full centre Gilleasbuig MacDonald. Sam Macphee took his place but was unavailable so John Gillies was given the full centre role.
Skye struck first with under 17 player Archie Millar scoring his first goal at second team level on five minutes. John Gillies played a ball from midfield out to the right to Iain MacLellan whose lobbed ball to the back post found Archie Millar who finished well.
It didn’t take Lochcarron long to level with Peter MacKenzie’s 22-yard shot from the left taking a wicked bounce on its way past keeper Calum Nicolson. Lochcarron took a 2-1 lead when Niall Arnott scored on 40 minutes. Peter MacKenzie, with his back to goal, flicked the ball diagonally to the Lochcarron left and Arnott ran into the ‘D’ to slip the ball low past the keeper from close range.
It took a brilliant double save from Calum Nicolson late in the half to prevent Lochcarron increasing their lead. Nicolson kept out Peter MacKenzie’s shot following a corner from the right and again denied MacKenzie from the re-bound at the expense of another corner.
Skye levelled six minutes into the second half with a well-taken goal from Dan MacDonald. Substitute Lachlan MacPherson’s hit-in from the left was touched on by Iain MacLellan and Dan MacDonald ran into the ‘D’ from the right before hitting the ball hard into the ground which saw it bounce past a helpless keeper on his left side to make it 2-2.
Peter MacKenzie restored Lochcarron’s lead on 63 minutes when his shot evaded the keeper and despite Skye’s late pressure, it proved to be the winner.
Skye Camanachd 1 Glengarry 4
Glengarry beat the Skye Camanachd seconds 4-1 in their Mowi North League A match at a wet Pairc nan Laoch, Portree.
Skye were missing Calum Gibb and Archie MacDonald who were on first team duty, whilst Glengarry were without Shaun Nicolson and Raymond Robertson.
Glengarry took the lead on 14 minutes when Steven Cameron slipped a nice pass to Nick Dalgety who finished low into the net.
Dalgety crashed his second high into the net seven minutes later and Rhu MacDonald made it 3-0 on 35 minutes following Scott Bremner’s free-hit.
Skye skipper Ian MacPherson scored the goal of the game on 65 minutes, smashing the ball into the net from wide on the left after playing a quick onetwo with Daniel Morrison.
But Gordon MacDonald made it 4-1 three minutes from time as substitute Jack West’s pass found him in space in front of goal.
Fort William P Lochcarron P
Lochcarron were unable to raise a team for their trip to play the Fort William colts at An Aird so the clash was a Friday evening postponement.
Mowi North League B Lovat P Kingussie P
The meeting between the Lovat colts and the Kingussie colts was brought forward to Friday August 20 with a 6.30pm throw-up to allow both squads to cheer on their respective senior sides in cup matches the following day.
However a covid outbreak affecting the Kingussie seconds led to a postponement.
Glenurquhart 0 Newtonmore 5
The Newtonmore seconds beat the Glenurquhart seconds 5-0 at Blairbeg.
Stuart MacKintosh was in goals for Glenurquhart whilst Newtonmore travelled without Glen MacKintosh and Fraser MacKintosh.
Newtonmore’s forward line impressed and Craig Macleod, who had a fine game at full forward, gave them the lead on 19 minutes.
Sorley Thomson, whose pace caused problems all afternoon, added a second a minute later whilst Struan Ross on 32 minutes and impressive wing centre Aaron MacBean, made it 4-0 a minute later.
Glenurquhart introduced Cairn Urquhart in the second half but Craig Macleod, whose unselfish play was a feature of the visiting attack, got his second on 62 minutes.
Newtonmore dominated the centre line with Scott Chisholm influential.
Inverness 5 Caberfeidh 1
The Inverness first team overcame the Caberfeidh second team 5-1 in their 1.30pm throw-up at the Bught Park.
Caberfeidh made the stronger start and took the lead through Ruaraidh MacLennan on eight minutes. A corner from the left was played across the ‘D’. Inverness didn’t clear the danger and Ruaraidh MacLennan whipped a shot goalwards which came off keeper Dougie Rankin before squeezing over the goal line.
Inverness pair Ewan Campbell and Rory Campbell came more into the game and the host’s pressure paid off when Ruaraidh Hughes’ cross from the left found Alan MacPherson on the edge of the ‘D’ and he effortlessly poked the ball goalwards, beating Caberfeidh player/manager Andrew MacMaster in the visiting goal at his right post to make it 1-1 on 23 minutes.
Inverness kept pressing and on 36 minutes Ruaraidh Hughes put in a battling challenge to win possession against Scott McLauchlan at the penalty spot and his halfswing beat the keeper on his right side.
Caberfeidh came close to levelling on 40 minutes when Cameron Grant found Ruaraidh MacLeman in space around the penalty spot but he fired narrowly wide of the keeper’s right post.
Inverness increased their advantage a couple of minutes before the break with the goal of the match. Ewan Campbell won possession in the middle of the field before finding Steven Bellshaw on the left. Bellshaw turned to his left side before rocketing a 25-yard shot into the top left-hand corner of the net to make it 3-1.
The hosts made a strong start to the second half and sealed victory with a quick-fire brace from Alan MacPherson on 51 minutes and Steven Bellshaw just 60 seconds later. The first came following a Ruaraidh Hughes shot which Andrew MacMaster saved but when the keeper went to clear, the ball struck the onrushing Alan MacPherson inside the ‘D’ and MacPherson knocked the ball into the net.
Inverness won possession from the re-start and the ball came to Steven Bellshaw on the left. Bellshaw fired goalwards and the keeper palmed the ball into the net.
The game went stale during closing stages as Inverness settled for the 5-1 win.
Ewan Campbell and Arran MacMaster played well for Inverness whilst Caberfeidh were well served by Ruaraidh MacLeman.
Referee John Angus Gillies had a trouble-free afternoon.
Mowi North League C Strathspey Camanachd 2 Beauly 7
The Beauly second team beat Strathspey Camanachd 7-2 at Grantown Grammar School.
Beauly led 2-0 at the break with goals from Finlay MacLennan on 16 minutes and Kyle MacDonald on 43 minutes.
Kyle MacDonald got his hat-trick with strikes on 50 and 52 minutes, whilst Fraser Cameron made it 5-0 a minute later.
Euan Dingwall on 58 minutes and Martin Ross on the hour gave Strathspey encouragement but Kyle MacDonald took his haul to five goals with efforts on 75 and 80 minutes.
Aberdeen University P Strathglass P
Aberdeen University were forced to call off their match with the Strathglass reserves as their Balgownie pitch was unavailable.
Mowi Central League Lochaber 4 Kilmallie 2
The Lochaber seconds beat the Kilmallie seconds 4-2 in their noon throw-up at Spean Bridge.
Kilmallie took the lead with Ryan MacLeod scoring on the half-hour but Rolands Freimanis levelled a minute later.
The hosts took a 2-1 lead into the break with Rolands Freimanis getting his second on 43 minutes. Neil MacDonald made it 3-1 on the hour with Rolands Freimanis completing his hat-trick on 70 minutes.
Cam Ross pulled a goal back five minutes later and it finished 4-2.