SHINTY ROUND-UP
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Gareth Evans reviews Lochside Rovers’ season
It was so near but yet so far for Lochside Rovers as their only two defeats, both coming late in the season, meant they were unable to repeat their two-cup haul from 2019.
Gareth Evans, who recently stepped up to the Oban Camanachd manager’s role, took time to reflect on a season which opened with a battling draw at home to Bute as Ryan Craig’s late leveller cancelled out Lewis Buchanan’s early opener.
‘We had a young squad at the start of the season and I thought we would do well to finish mid-table,’ Gareth said. ‘I expected Bute and Ballachulish to be strong and it just so happened we faced both these teams in our first two games.
‘Bute actually came to Oban with a young side and we had a good game with them at Ganavan when a draw was probably a fair result.’
Lochside then came from behind to win 2-1 at Ballachulish before the holders beat the Lochaber seconds 5-1 in the opening round of the HIS Sutherland Cup.
Gareth recalls: ‘Our under-14 skipper Alexander MacDonald, a versatile player, got the equaliser against Balla’ and Robbie Brown, who joined from Taynuilt, got the winner. The big down-side from that game was a back injury suffered by Chrissie MacMillan. It looked innocuous enough at the time but it turned out to be serious and he is still receiving treatment for it.
‘The Lochaber win was good as we always look to do well in the Sutherland.’
A return to league duty and a 2-1 victory at the Inveraray colts on a wet midweek followed before a strong Lochside team then beat Taynuilt 5-1 in another midweek fixture.
Gareth said: ‘We had David Cameron back from rugby and he got the first goal. David is a player who could push for a place in the Oban Camanachd team.’
That match against Taynuilt took place on Wednesday 21 July and it was to be the last league fixture Lochside would play.
The HIS Sutherland Cup second round threw up a tough tie at home to the Fort William colts and Lochside had to work hard for their 4-3 victory. ‘The Fort William tie and the Bullough Cup Final were probably the best two games of the season. The Fort game was end-to-end with two young teams going for it on a hot day at Mossfield. I was pleased we won but couldn’t have complained if we had lost.’
Lochside’s defence of the Bullough Cup opened with a 6-3 victory in Glasgow against the Mid Argyll reserves, aided by Ross Campbell’s hat-trick. ‘We played Ross at full forward and he did really well. In fact they all did well as GMA had no first team match that weekend so fielded a good physical side against us. Our fitness was good though and saw us over the like as it did a few times during the season.’
September opened with a 2-1 win over on-form Kinlochshiel seconds in the quarter-finals of the HIS Sutherland Cup. Lewis Buchanan and Alexander MacDonald got the goals with Gareth saying: ‘There was some drama around the ‘Shiel game and we led 2-0 through Lewis Buchanan and Alexander MacDonald before they pulled a goal back with 16 minutes remaining but we got there in the end.’
However, the Lovat second team were to prove too strong in the Sutherland semis at Spean Bridge as the Balgate men won 5-0.
Gareth said: ‘It still rankles with me that we had to play that tie on the same day as our first team were in the Glasgow Celtic Society Cup semi-finals. We were nine players short for one reason or another and that made it really difficult for us. We had to field so many of our younger players that it really was men against boys. We ended up with young players getting injured during the game and I would have liked to have played the semi-final with the team we had out against Fort William in the earlier round.’
The Bullough semis were more straight forward as lower league Oban Celtic colts were dispatched 10-0 so the season ended with the Bullough Cup Final against the Kyles Athletic reserves. The venue was decided by the toss of a coin which gave the Tighnabruaich men home advantage. In the end, it took penalties to separate the sides following a 3-3 draw with Kyles eventually taking the trophy.
Gareth added: ‘I think I said at the time that I’d normally be unhappy about losing a game of shinty never mind a final but it was a brilliant game. It’s not often Kyles get to play a final on their own pitch and there was a great crowd who created a wonderful atmosphere.
‘Young Matthew Sloss was terrific for us that day and he is just one of several younger players coming through the system. Innes Jackson is another brilliant prospect. He is so keen and such a good player. Callum MacMillan came in this year. He’s only 14 but can be such a hard player in the tackle. Daniel Pearson also broke through and he will get more game time next season.
‘Scott Robertson is another who has had a great season. Scott is still young but seems to have been around for years.’ As he prepares for the new season with Oban Camanachd, Gareth has a word for those who helped him with Lochside last season.
‘Managing a shinty team is no one-man-band,’ he said. ‘Iain MacMillan, Duncan MacMillan and Andrew Pearson have been a huge help. I thank them for that and of course wish them well as they manage Lochside next season.’
The managerial changes trigger a new era for both Oban Camanachd and Lochside Rovers and the preparations start now.
Oban Times Shinty Team of the Year
Oban Times shinty reporter Alasdair Bruce has selected his 2021 shinty team of the year.
With so many excellent players to choose from, only those who played most of the season were considered so the likes of Mark MacDonald, Blair Morrison, Thomas Borthwick and Conor Cormack, who would have pushed for a place in the side, weren’t considered as injury forced them out during large chunks of the year.
Stuart MacDonald (Lovat)
It was another season of game-changing goalkeeping from the Lovat’s Mr Consistent. Lovat’s Camanachd Cup run would have ended against Skye in Portree had it not been for Stuart MacDonald’s heroics and he also shone in the semi-final win over Kingussie. Stuart remains Scotland’s number one.
Finlay MacRae (Kinlochshiel)
Finlay MacRae was the rock at the centre of ‘Shiel’s defence in a season the club will never forget. He defied the odds to recover from a leg injury to play such a crucial role in the Camanachd Cup Final. Finlay is a class act and a fine reader of the game. The 36-year-old’s performances were all the more remarkable given the changing nature of Kinlochshiel’s defence this season as injury ruled out Conor Cormack, Mark MacDonald and David Falconer for long periods.
Daniel Cameron (Oban Camanachd)
Oban Camanachd boasted arguably shinty’s best defence last season, only losing six goals over 11 games. They weren’t always tested to the same extent as in the Premiership but the statistics are still impressive, keeping clean sheets in seven of their 11 matches and only losing one goal in three of the other four matches. Scottish international Daniel Cameron is a leader whose skilful defending has been a key component in the Oban side’s back line. Daniel captains this select team.
Daniel Sloss (Oban Camanachd)
Daniel Sloss is one shinty’s most talented youngsters who can be a mainstay of the Oban Camanachd side for at least another 15 years. He is usually given a man-marking role on the opponent’s most dangerous forwards which speaks volumes of the trust placed in him. The Covid pandemic probably robbed him of the opportunity to captain the Scotland U17s at a time when he was already an established Scotland U21 international.
Andrew King (Kyles Athletic)
Andrew King seems to get better with each passing season. He can break up an attack and set up an attack with equal ease. Andrew covers a lot of ground and has all the attributes of a modern-day defender.
Craig Mainland (Lovat)
Wing centre is not Craig Mainland’s usual position but his displays at buckshee back for Lovat this term merit a place in the team of the year. A tenacious tackler and a clean hitter of the ball who has a keen will to win.
Donald Nixon (Kinlochshiel)
Donald Nixon is a powerhouse in the ‘Shiel midfield, slotting perfectly into the full centre role after switching from wing centre. One of shinty’s best shy takers who had forced his way into international recognition before Covid interrupted the game.
William MacKinnon (Skye Camanachd)
William’s versatility has seen him feature in defence, midfield and attack for Alvance British Aluminium Balliemore Cup winners Skye this season. The 19-year-old came through the youth ranks at Inverness before playing for Skye at under-17 level to follow in his father’s footsteps. He is an athlete who is good in the tackle.
Ruaridh Anderson (Kingussie)
Kingussie play-maker Ruaridh Anderson offers a creative edge to the side, providing opportunities for his fellow forwards. The 21-year-old is an exciting player to watch, he is super-fit and has a fine work ethic, often tracking back to help the midfield and even the defence at times.
James Falconer (Kingussie)
As shinty’s top goalscorer in 2021, James has more than earned his place in the side. He has an electric turn of pace and is a clinical finisher when through on goal. James never gives his marker a minute’s peace.
Keith MacRae (Kinlochshiel)
It was a year to remember for Keith MacRae. After battling back from a serious knee injury, he captained Kinlochshiel to their first-ever Camanachd and MacTavish Cup successes. Keith has great close control and scores key goals as his hat-trick in the Scottish Final underlined. His skill and experience would be an asset to any side.
Craig Morrison (Caberfeidh)
Craig was shinty’s top scorer in 2019 and he carried that prowess into the 2021 season, netting 18 times in 12 matches. He isn’t always fielded in attack but when he is there, he is a handful for any defence.
Substitutes Steven Macdonald (Newtonmore)
It has been a rare trophyless season for Newtonmore first team who are going through a period of transition. However Steven Macdonald’s performances in the middle of defence have still been to the usual high standard.
Alexander Michie (Kingussie)
Kingussie’s defensive record is another to be admired, losing just 12 goals in 16 matches. Alexander Michie has been a pivot at the back, covering so much ground at the back with his athletic defending. He is also an excellent penalty taker.
Lachie Shaw (Fort William)
One of Fort William’s talented youngsters, Lachie can fulfil a number of roles. He is a creative player and also a good finisher. Lachie was one of the top players in the National Division in 2019 and is sure to set the Premiership alight next season.
John MacRae (Kinlochshiel)
John is a strong full forward who enjoys a physical battle. He has an eye for goal but can also pick out a chance for a teammate. John defends from the top of the pitch, never allowing defenders to clear their lines with ease.
Roddy MacDonald (Kyles Athletic)
Roddy MacDonald scored six goals in 11 games as Kyles lifted the Scottish Sea Farms Glasgow Celtic Society Cup. He is equally at home playing in defence or attack and has maintained a high level of form for a number of seasons now.
Kinlochshiel
manager is the outstanding candidate as to manage the side. This year’s Camanachd and MacTavish successes mean Johnston has now managed ‘Shiel to all four majors during his three terms in charge. He has also had an keen eye on introducing a number of the club’s promising youngsters to build the squad size for next season.
Johnston Gill
Andy MacDonald booking blow
Oban Celtic’s Andy MacDonald will miss the first match of the 2022 shinty season.
MacDonald returned to the Celtic side for the club’s final game of the season, an 8-0 win at Aberdour in Mowi Senior League C.
However a yellow card in that game, his first booking of the season, now triggers a onematch suspension for a disciplinary points accumulation. Lovat Cup returns
Possibly the most popular out-of-season shinty clash returns in 2021 as Lovat meet neighbours Beauly to contest the Lovat Cup at Balgate on Monday 3 January 2022.
The Lovat Cup wasn’t contested in 2021 because of Covid restrictions.
Lovat are holders as Greg Matheson’s brace helped them beat Beauly 3-1 in 2020 to win the trophy for the fifth successive season.