Draws the name of the game in shinty leagues
Mowi Premiership
Lovat 0
Glasgow Mid Argyll 0
Lovat and Glasgow Mid Argyll (GMA) drew 0-0 in their 1pm throw-up at Balgate.
Both sides were without at least half of their usual starting line-ups so the game provided valuable first team experience for several second team players.
Among those missing for Lovat were Daniel Grieve, Drew Howie, Danny Kelly, Graeme MacMillan, Lewis Tawse and Greg Matheson. Joe Embleton, Angus Mearns, Douglas Goodwill and Lewis Bryson all started, whilst Martin Bell was their only substitute.
GMA’s Jonnie MacAskill was suspended, whilst Ryan Harrison, Finlay MacMillan, John Sweeney, Oliver MacRae and Jamie McFadyen were amongst their absentees. John Don MacKenzie returned and there was a starting place for veteran Rory Fraser.
This was a typical end of season game, a low-key affair with nothing but pride at stake.
The closest effort to a goal was a second-half John McNulty rocket-shot from a tight angle which crashed off the post whilst, at the other end, GMA keeper Jonathan Oates saved well from Marc MacLachlan.
The point extends Glasgow Mid Argyll’s unbeaten run to three games. They go seventh in the table, above Kyles Athletic who they visit on Saturday.
The result also means GMA boss Alan MacRae has taken three out of four points from his former club Lovat this season.
Mowi National Division
Inveraray 0
Skye Camanachd 0
Skye Camanachd clinched the Mowi National Division title when they drew 0-0 with Inveraray at the Winterton.
Skye made the 360-mile round trip in the knowledge a point was all that was required to pip Beauly to the league title.
Inveraray put in a great effort to have their pitch playable and a good crowd gathered for the game.
Inveraray manager Ruaraidh Graham had Allan MacDonald back and he started in defence.
Ruaridh Graham and Hamish MacLennan were missing, whilst Ally Munro, Rhys Williams, David McAlister and Calum MacDonald came into the side which lost 1-0 to Beauly the previous week.
Skye boss Kenny Macleod had Jordan Murchison and Taylor Matheson available. Both were on holiday on the day of the original fixture three weeks earlier. Martin Pringle has been recovering from a hamstring injury and took a place on the bench.
This is only the second point Skye have dropped this season - the other was against Beauly. Jordan Murchison and Ross Gordon saw first half shots well saved by Inveraray keeper Scott MacLachlan who was on top form.
Inveraray were well organised but as the game moved into stoppage time, Skye top scorer Ross Gordon looked to have won it, however, his shot held up on the heavy pitch and Scott MacLachlan cleared the ball off the goal line.
After the final whistle, and with Camanachd Association director Roddy McCuish present, the National Division trophy was presented to delighted Skye skipper Ally MacLeod by John Angus Gillies from sponsors Mowi.
Skye manager Kenny Macleod said: ‘You have to win games in many different ways over the course of a title winning season and today was a bit like that. We got over the line. I’m so pleased for the players for all the effort and commitment they have put in. There was a time halfway through the season when I felt we had left ourselves too big a hill to climb, especially with the injuries we’ve had. We’ve only had three players - Murphy Henderson, James Morrison and Ally MacLeod - who have played every game this year.
‘I also have to mention Beauly, who are also promoted, as they have had an outstanding season.
‘They threw the gauntlet down in the league and each club having a trophy at the end of the season is probably a fair reflection on the performances of both teams.
‘We can now look forward to premiership shinty. We will be ready for it come the start of the new season.’