Kyles advance in Camanachd Cup as Inveraray thump ‘Dour
With the Macaulay Cup final to look forward to next weekend, Kyles Athletic continued a successful season as they overcame Beauly on penalties to reach the semi-finals of the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup.
The draw for the semi-final ties was made earlier this week in Oban, where the Camanachd Cup Final will be played at the town’s Mossfield Park on September 18.
Conducting the draw were Argyll and Bute councillor and Camanachd Association director Roddy McCuish, fellow Oban councillor Elaine Robertson and Andrew Spence of the Oban business organisation Bid4Oban.
Kyles Athletic were drawn to play Kinlochshiel, while Kingussie or Kilmallie will face Oban Camanachd or Lovat in the other semi-final.
The matches will take place on August 28 and September 4 at neutral venues to be announced.
Steven MacKenzie, Camanachd Association president, said: ‘It is an exciting day in the shinty world as the remaining teams can now see a clear path to the final. The confirmed semi-final is undoubtedly a mouth-watering prospect, with Kyles looking to return to the final for the first time since 2013 and Kinlochshiel eager to make the first final in their history. In the other tie, there is still a lot to play for, but whatever the makeup of the semi-final it is sure to be a fantastic match. I wish the best of luck to all teams involved.’
Roddy McCuish said: ‘It is fantastic such an historic competition like the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup is once again culminating in Oban.
‘Mossfield is steeped in shinty history and the town will be buzzing come cup final day.’
Kyles reached the semi-finals by narrowly defeating Beauly 3-2 on penalties after extra time at Braeview Park, Beauly, ended two goals apiece.
The closest to a goal during the regulation 90 minutes of the match on August 7 came when Kyles were awarded a second-half penalty but Robbie Macleod’s effort went wide.
He atoned for that miss four minutes into extra-time when he turned home Innes MacDonald’s low cross.
Kyles were given another boost when home defender Angus Renwick attempted to clear the ball for a corner on 98 minutes but turned it into his own net.
David MacLean scored for Beauly on 104 minutes then, to the delight of the home support, Jack MacDonald made it 2-2 five minutes later.
With no further scoring, referee Steven MacLachlan took the tie to penalties.
Kyles Athletic won the shootout 3-2.
Robbie Macleod, Thomas Whyte and Callum Miller all converted for Kyles, with David MacLean and keeper Duncan Anderson doing likewise for Beauly.
Elsewhere on Saturday, the Mowi Senior League C tie between Inveraray and Aberdour saw the Fynesiders overpower the Fife outfit by six goals to nil.
But it took Inveraray 40 minutes to break down the visitors’ resistance at the Winterton.
Allan Cameron broke the deadlock five minutes before the break and Fraser Watt added a second on 65 minutes.
David MacAllister made it 3-0 on 70 minutes, whilst Fraser Watt completed his hattrick with strikes on 78 and 80 minutes.
Coll MacKay made it 6-0 with five minutes remaining.
Inveraray and Aberdour were both in last week’s Alvance British Aluminium Balliemore Cup quarter-final draw. Inveraray will visit Ballachulish and Aberdour make the long journey north to Skye. Inverness host Beauly and Bute have home advantage against Strathglass. The ties are scheduled for Saturday August 14.
Saturday’s Bullough Cup second round tie between Kilmory and Aberdour second team was postponed as a result of Covid restrictions.
Inveraray and Oban Celtic meanwhile agreed to rearrange their Bullough Cup tie to Wednesday August 11.
Next Saturday, August 21, Kyles Athletic will face Kingussie in the Artemis Macaulay Cup Final.