Women’s shinty takes centre stage
SKYE Camanachd won the Marine Harvest Valerie Fraser Cup and Glengarry lifted the Marine Harvest Challenge Cup as women’s shinty took centre stage on Saturday September 2.
Marine Harvest Valerie Fraser Cup final Skye Camanachd 6 Lochaber 1
Skye Camanachd won the Marine Harvest Valerie Fraser Cup for the first time with a 6-1 win over Lochaber in the final at An Aird.
A good-sized crowd gathered for this show-piece occasion which included a children’s banner parade ahead of throwup with Ardnamurchan Primary School judged to have the best display.
The match was a repeat of the 2016 final when four-goal Kirsty Delaney helped Lochaber secure a 4-2 victory. This was the first time the sides had met since that day and Skye captain Lorna MacRae, who scored both her team’s goals 12 months earlier, was to play a key role.
Ahead of throw-up, the players were piped onto the field and they, along with managers Robbie Gordon and Michael Delaney, were introduced to Iain Fraser from sponsors Marine Harvest and Women’s Camanachd Association president Lisa MacColl.
Skye took the lead after three minutes. Caitlin MacLean’s low shot from distance was saved with her feet by Lochaber keeper Aeleen Campbell but Lorna MacRae was quickly in to bundle the rebound over the line.
Lorna MacRae doubled Skye’s advantage on 17 minutes when she collected a low Caitlin MacLean pass from the right and took a touch to the left before her back-hand effort beat the keeper.
Alison MacVicar gave Lochaber hope on 23 minutes when she sent the ball low into the net after Skye keeper Sarah-Jane Ferguson had saved a Kirsty Delaney effort following a freehit on the Lochaber left.
Skye got back on the offensive and Lorna MacRae completed her hat-trick on 29 minutes, accepting a Sarah Corrigall pass before taking the ball round the keeper and tapping it home to make it 3-1 at the break.
Lorna MacRae put the outcome beyond doubt on 46 minutes. Jenna Beaton’s ball from the left gave MacRae an initial shooting chance but the keeper saved. Caitlin MacLean’s effort from the rebound hit the post but Lorna MacRae followed up to knock the ball home from close range.
Jenna Beaton made it 5-1 four minutes later with a wellworked goal. Caitlin MacLean was again involved as she won a couple of challenges on the Skye right before finding Lorna MacRae in space. MacRae ran at the Lochaber defence before picking out her strike partner and Jenna Beaton struck the ball low into the net.
It was fitting Lorna MacRae rounded off the scoring. Sarah Corrigall cut in from the Skye left and her short pass found MacRae who took a touch past a defender before running in on goal and stroking the ball low into the net to make it 6-1 with 67 minutes played.
After the disappointment of losing out in the final to Glasgow Mid Argyll in 2014 and Lochaber last year, Skye tasted Valerie Fraser Cup success for the first time and Iain Fraser from sponsors Marine Harvest presented the trophy to captain Lorna MacRae.
Lorna also deservedly collected the player of the match award from sponsor Peter Gow.
The sides have still to meet twice more in the league this season with the title destination still in the balance.
Iain Kennedy was the match referee.
Skye head coach Robbie Gordon spoke after the match. ‘The girls played really, really well,’ he said. ‘All the things we have practiced at training paid off today. Our movement was good, our passing was good and our shooting was good. Everyone played their part and we were dominant in every area of the park. It’s not every day you win a Camanachd Cup and these girls have worked really hard and they deserve every bit of it.’
Skye captain Lorna MacRae added: ‘After last year’s performance, we knew what we had to do today. This is the biggest competition to win so it’s great to get this success under our belts. We’ll now concentrate on trying to win the league again.’
Marine Harvest Challenge Cup final Glengarry 7 Ardnamurchan 1
Glengarry were Marine Harvest Challenge Cup winners, beating Ardnamurchan 7-1 in the final at An Aird.
Glengarry went into this 1pm throw-up sitting mid-table in Marine Harvest North Division 2 whilst Ardnamurchan are newly-crowned Marine Harvest South Division 2 champions.
Glengarry, managed by club stalwart Ewen Cameron, took the lead after 13 minutes when referee Duncan Kelly awarded them a penalty. Joanne Gillanders converted from the spot, sending the ball past player/ manager Laura Bradley in the Ardnamurchan goal. Glengarry went on to stamp their authority on the game and Leona Falconer grabbed a first half hat-trick with goals on 30, 33 and 35 minutes to make it 4-0 at the break.
Elaine Cameron added to Glengarry’s dominance with goals on 42 and 50 minutes and Emily Gordon produced a seventh on 64 minutes.
Ardnamurchan, who were co-captained by Kate Bradley and Lucy MacMillan, fought until the death and Annie MacDonald gave them some consolation with a goal on 70 minutes.
Glengarry captain Leona Falconer was presented with the Marine Harvest Challenge Cup by Iain Fraser from sponsors Marine Harvest.
Glengarry’s Joanne Gillanders was named player of the match.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Tayforth 5 Kilmory 4
Tayforth threw away a four-goal lead before eventually beating Kilmory 5-4 at Levenhall Links.
This was the second time the sides had met this season with Kilmory 10-0 winners at MacRae Park in July.
Calum Barton gave Tayforth the lead on 11 minutes and when Brendan Duggan hit a first half hat-trick with goals on 22, 31 and 36 minutes, the hosts looked to have an unassailable 4-0 interval lead.
Kilmory fought back in the final third of the match though and Hal Jones hit a hat-trick with goals on 60, 72 and 74 minutes to narrow the deficit to a single goal.
When Alex Cunningham made it 4-4 with five minutes remaining, Kilmory looked good for a point.
Tayforth sealed victory though when Brendan Duggan notched his fourth goal of the afternoon with three minutes remaining to make it 5-4 meaning Tayforth go third in the division.
Kyles Athletic 2 Ballachulish 2
The Kyles Athletic second team came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Ballachulish at Tighnabruaich.
Lewis Bryson gave Ballachulish the lead on five minutes. A ball from a corner eventually fell to the feet of Patrick MacLean and Lewis Bryson reacted quickest to power the ball home with his strike beating the keeper at the near post.
Ballachulish made the stronger start to the game but although they created chance after chance, they were unable to add to Bryson’s early goal.
The visitors doubled their advantage on 20 minutes. A high ball forward from Duncan MacDonald found its way to Lorne Brown who took a touch, turned and fired the ball into the net to make it 2-0.
Kyles now began to create chances but found stand-in keeper Donald Wilson to be a solid shot stopper between the Ballachulish sticks.
Kyles stepped up a level and when a ball reached Craig Martin, he tucked the ball home to make it 2-1 with 34 minutes gone.
The second half was a much more even affair with both clubs creating opportunities, but not much coming off.
With half an hour remaining, Kyles brought on Colin MacDonald as they tried to get a leveller.
The switch paid off on 68 minutes when Colin MacDonald dribbled through the Ballachulish defence. His shot was blocked by Ally Banks but the ball fell kindly for Scott MacDonald who finished well to make it 2-2.
With some big first team games coming up, Kyles will be delighted Innes MacDonald played his first 90 minutes since injuring his ankle.
Glenorchy 4 Taynuilt 7
There were goals galore at Mart Park where Taynuilt beat Glenorchy 7-4.
Steven Parr put Taynuilt in the lead on 21 minutes but John Sartain equalised on 27 minutes.
The visitors took a 2-1 lead into the break after Ewan MacCorquodale found the back of the net on 35 minutes.
Ewan MacCorquodale extended Taynuilt’s advantage a couple of minutes into the second half and Robbie Brown made it 4-1 on 50 minutes.
Ewan MacCorquodale completed his hat-trick three minutes later and although John Sartain got his second to make it 5-2 on the hour, Liam Higgins made it 6-2 on 64 minutes and Ewan MacCorquodale scored his fourth goal of the afternoon on 67 minutes to make it 7-2.
Late counters from Kieran Gallagher on 75 minutes and Kieran MacKay on 82 minutes reduced the deficit, but Taynuilt still ran out 7-4 victors.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Lewis Camanachd 1 Lochcarron 3
Two second half goals gave Lochcarron a 3-1 win over Lewis Camanachd at Shawbost.
Crisdean Finlayson put the visitors ahead on 21 minutes but Will Church made it 1-1 on the half hour mark.
Lance MacCuish five minutes into the second half and Liam Arnott on 73 minutes made it 3-1.
Paddy Sinclair hit the post late on in the match but Lochcarron stayed in front to take both points.
Lovat W/O v Boleskine
The match between the Lovat second team and Boleskine at Balgate was scheduled for the third time.
This fixture was cancelled on two previous occasions because of unplayable pitches with the latter call-off coming shortly before the match was due to start.
Boleskine were unable to raise a team for this one so Lovat were awarded the points.
Inverness P Kilmallie P
The Kilmallie second team were granted a postponement of their match against the Inverness second team at The Bught Park.
Kilmallie made the request following the sad passing of former player Martin Duncan.
2017 shinty season run-in
There’s everything to play for as we get down to the business end of the 2017 shinty season.
Marine Harvest Premiership title race
As the main contenders get ready to play their final fixtures of the season, the Marine Harvest Premiership title race looks like it will go down to the wire.
Kyles Athletic
Kyles Athletic currently top the table on goal difference. The Tighnabruaich men hold a five-goal advantage which is not insurmountable over the remaining games. Goal differential would come in to play if two or more sides finish level on points at the top at the end of the season.
Kyles welcomed Innes MacDonald back from injury in the win over Kingussie. Callum Miller has missed recent games with a foot injury but Donald Irvine is a more than capable replacement as long as his work commitments don’t restrict his availability.
Grant Irvine and Roddy MacDonald will be key to Kyles’ chances and, were they to go on and clinch the title, it would be a remarkable achievement given their travelling commitments over the season.
Kyles’ remaining matches are split between their Tighnabruaich home and two journeys north. First up is a trip to Balgate to play Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup finalists Lovat on Saturday September 9.
They follow that with a home fixture against the other finalists – Newtonmore – at Tighnabruaich on Saturday September 16.
A mouth-watering meeting with fellow-challengers Kinlochshiel takes place at Kirkton on Saturday September 23.
It could then all come down to the final day when relegation threatened Glasgow Mid Argyll visit Tighnabruaich on Saturday October 7. The sides have already met three times this season with Kyles winning every match.
Kinlochshiel
Kinlochshiel have survived a spell where injury and suspension have tested their resources. Paul MacRae, Oliver MacRae, John MacRae, Colin MacDiarmid and most notably Gordie MacDonald have all had spells on the sidelines and their cup form arguably suffered. They have kept their title push on track though and, with the exception of MacDonald who has been plagued with a knee problem, the squad is now back to full strength at just the right time. Like Kyles, Kinlochshiel have a difficult run-in starting with a visit to The Eilan to play Newtonmore on Saturday September 9.
Glenurquhart, who are battling the threat of relegation, visit Kirkton on Saturday September 16 and Kinlochshiel welcome Kyles Athletic to Kirkton on Saturday September 23 in a potential title decider.
Kinlochshiel complete the season at Mossfield against Oban Camanachd on Saturday October 7.
Newtonmore
Newtonmore are six points adrift of Kyles Athletic and Kinlochshiel with a game in hand and whilst the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final offers their best chance of adding to the MacTavish Cup won earlier in the season, they will be ready to profit should the leaders slip up over the weeks ahead.
Newtonmore made a sluggish start to the season, dropping three points from their opening three fixtures. Despite having a bigger squad than most, injuries have hit them hard with Rory Kennedy, Andy MacKintosh, Michael Russell, Paul MacArthur, Jamie Robinson, Evan Menzies, Chris Sellar, Conor Jones and Drew MacDonald all unavailable for significant periods at various points this year.
They face the top two over the coming fortnight with Kinlochshiel visiting The Eilan on Saturday September 9 before Newtonmore travel to Tighnabruaich to play Kyles Athletic a week later.
There are then trips to Kilmallie and Lochaber either side of the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup final against Lovat.
It could all be done and dusted before Oban Camanachd come calling at The Eilan on Saturday October 14 but, if not, Newtonmore will look to be in a position to take advantage.
Marine Harvest Premiership relegation battle
The battle to escape the drop from shinty’s top flight will be equally as fascinating as the contest at the top of the table as four clubs look to avoid the two
relegation places to the Marine Harvest National Division.
Glasgow Mid Argyll
Glasgow Mid Argyll are currently bottom of the table with five points from their 14 games played. They have been in freefall in recent weeks, losing their last eight league games.
With four games to go, GMA will be the busiest of the relegation-threated clubs and have a massive match against fellow strugglers Glenurquhart at Blairbeg on Saturday September 9.
A home meeting with Lovat and trips to Oban Camanachd and Kyles Athletic follow.
Kilmallie
Kilmallie have seven points from 15 games played and their final three matches are all at home starting with Oban Camanachd’s trip to the Canal Parks on Saturday September 16.
Next up is a home match against Newtonmore a week later and they finish the season by hosting Lovat on Saturday October 7.
Two defeats against Glasgow Mid Argyll could yet cost them dear and it would be ironic if Kilmallie ended up second bottom of the league as it was their proposal to replace the previous play-off between the teams finishing second bottom of the Premiership and second top of the National which forced change ahead of the 2016 shinty season.
Glenurquhart
Glenurquhart have eight points from 16 matches with two games to go.
Manager Iain MacLeod is another who has had a long absentee list as Stuart MacKintosh, Lewis MacLennan, Neale Reid, Fraser Heath, John Barr, David Smart and Euan Lloyd have all missed chunks of their campaign.
Glenurquhart have already identified Glasgow Mid Argyll’s visit to Blairbeg on Saturday September 9 as crucial to alleviating any relegation fears. The sides drew 2-2 at Yoker earlier in the season.
Glenurquhart finish the season with a trip to the west coast to play title chasing Kinlochshiel seven days later.
Lochaber
Lochaber have one match remaining and it’s a tough one as Newtonmore visit Spean Bridge. The match is not until Saturday October 7 though so Lochaber face five Saturdays without a competitive game since they lost to Lovat on August 26.
Lochaber will have to watch nervously as the teams below them try to better their nine point total. One concern for Lochaber may be that their goal difference of minus-30 is the poorest in the division.
Marine Harvest National Division title race
The Marine Harvest title race could be decided this coming weekend but there is also another promotion place up for grabs.
Skye Camanachd
Skye Camanachd, with 21 points from 11 games, know that a draw against second placed Caberfeidh at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree, on Saturday September 9 will confirm a speedy return to shinty’s top flight and clinch the league title. Skye’s only dropped point so far this year was against Caberfeidh in a goal-less draw at Castle Leod earlier in the season. Skye also have two more chances to reach the required points total as they welcome Inveraray to Portree on Saturday September 16 and finish the season against Fort William at An Aird on Saturday October 7.
Caberfeidh
Caberfeidh have just two matches remaining. They have taken 18 points from 12 matches and, after the Skye game, their final match of the season is at home to Beauly on Saturday September 23. Caberfeidh need to win both these matches to be sure of promotion and they will have one eye on third placed Fort William’s results during the run-in.
Fort William
Fort William remain in the promotion race. They currently have 13 points from ten matches so they will narrow the gap on second placed Caberfeidh to a single point if they were to win their two games in hand.
Fort William’s next two matches are against bottom side Inverness – at the Bught Park on Saturday September 9 and at An Aird a fortnight later.
Victor Smith’s side finish the season with two home matches – against Skye on Saturday October 7 and against Inveraray at the end of October.
Inveraray
Inveraray still have enough matches remaining to stake a promotion claim. They have amassed 11 points from ten matches so they can potentially reach 19 points.
Inveraray’s defeat to Beauly in their last match was a blow to their chances and they head for Ganavan to play Oban Celtic on Saturday September 9 before making the trip to Skye a week later.
There is a second meeting with Oban Celtic – this time at The Winterton – on Saturday September 23 and their final match of the season, away to Fort William, is scheduled for the end of October.
Marine Harvest south divisions
Three wins from their final five league matches will guarantee Lochside Rovers the South Division 1 championship.
The Oban side hold the advantage with 23 points from 13 league matches played and they have only dropped three points all season.
Lochside Rovers head for The Meadows to play a resurgent Bute on Saturday September 9.
This will be a tricky fixture for Gareth Evan’s side, especially as keeper Cameron Sutherland could be required for the first team’s meeting with Kingussie as Gavin Stobbart has picked up a suspension.
Lochside have another big game a week later when they face the Kingussie second team in the rescheduled Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup Final at An Aird. Rovers then make for Silversands to play second placed Aberdour on Saturday September 23.
Taynuilt visit Oban the week after and there’s a trip to MacRae Park on Saturday October 7 before Lochside finish the season off at home to the Kyles Athletic second team on Saturday October 14.
Aberdour and Bute will look to take maximum points from their remaining fixtures so they can profit should Lochside falter.
Inveraray
The Inveraray second team have all but clinched the South Division 2 title. A point from Inveraray’s side final two games will settle matters in their favour.
Marine Harvest north divisions
The North Division 1 title race is a straight fight between reigning champions Newtonmore reserves and Aberdeen University.
Both sides still have three matches remaining, including a meeting at The Eilan in a fortnight’s time.
Glengarry look odds on favourites to take the North Division 2 honours. The Craigard side hold a six point advantage over second placed Lochaber seconds, although they have played a game more, with the sides due to meet at Spean Bridge this Saturday.
Caberfeidh seconds are ten points behind, but have three games in hand.
GMA win Robert Wylie Memorial Cup
Glasgow Mid Argyll took the Robert Wylie Memorial Trophy south following a 3-1 win over Oban Celtic at Mossfield on Friday night.
Marine National Division side Oban Celtic had not been in action since the beginning of August when they lost to Skye in the league so this game was a useful work-out for manager Kenny Wotherspoon.
Marine Harvest Premiership side GMA last played in mid-August when they lost to Kinlochshiel, also in the league. With manager George Hay unable to travel, his assistant Dougie Luke took charge of the side.
GMA scored the only goal of the first half when former Kilmallie player Sebastian MacMillan gathered possession out wide and lifted the ball to just in front of the penalty spot where Calum Mclay came running onto it.
Mclay took a brilliant first touch and smashed the ball into the bottom corner of the net to make it 1-0.
GMA had keeper Robert Dunnings, a former Lochside Rovers player, to thank for some good first half saves which denied Daniel Madej, Daniel Macmillan and Ross Macmillan.
Jamie McFadyen put the visitors 2-0 ahead shortly after the restart when he gathered the ball on the wing and ran at the Celtic defence before sending a waist-high shot into the right of the net.
Oban Celtic replied instantly and Ross Macmillan went on a mazy run only to be brought down inside the ‘D’. Referee Billy Wotherspoon, who had a good game, pointed to the spot. Macmillan dusted himself down and fired the penalty beyond Robert Dunnings to make it 2-1.
As the night started to draw in, visibility was becoming increasingly difficult and it was GMA who sealed the win. Calum Mclay played the ball along the by-line and keeper Iain MacFarlane saved at his right post.
However 16-year-old Angus MacInnes ran in to flick the ball past the keeper from a tight angle to make it 3-1.
Both camps took the chance to experiment, making a number of changes throughout the game.
The presentation followed the final whistle and the Wylie family handed over the medals and trophy.
The Bob Wylie (senior) award for Oban Celtic’s man of the match was given to Fulton Ronald who had an outstanding game at half back.
Speaking after the game, Catherine Wylie said: ‘It’s a very emotional time for us, but we are really pleased they play the game every year. It keeps the memory alive and I enjoy watching it.’
Oban Celtic are in league action this coming Saturday when they host Inveraray at Ganavan.
Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup final
The Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup Final between Lochside Rovers and the Kingussie second team will take place at An Aird on Saturday September 16.
The final was originally scheduled for Saturday July 29 but was postponed because of an unplayable pitch.
Iain Kennedy will be the match referee.
Scotland shinty/hurling preparations
Scotland’s shinty/hurling preparations began in earnest with senior and U21 sessions taking place at The Eilan on Saturday September 2.
Scotland Head Coach Ronald Ross put the Scotland seniors through their paces and the players took part in a 12-a-side match.
Scotland U21 boss Allan MacRae also put his hopefuls to the test. There were only two south players at the session, Inveraray pair Scott MacLauchlan and Lewis Montgomery.
Oban Camanachd’s Daniel MacVicar was injured whilst Ross MacRae and Scott MacDonald were playing for the Kyles Athletic second team against Ballachulish.
The Oban Celtic players didn’t travel.
Fort William were represented by Arran MacPhee, Calum Shepherd and Alexander MacMillan whilst, Lochaber’s Barry Macdonald, Caberfeidh’s Blair Morrison, Beauly’s Calum Morrison, Kingussie pair James Falconer and Robert Mabon, Newtonmore’s Iain Robinson and Craig Ritchie Kilmallie’s Craig MacIsaac and Shane Gillies as well as Skye’s Will Cowie, Iain MacLeod, John Gillies, James Pringle and Ally ‘Cleodi’ MacLeod all took part.
Kilmallie’s Innes Blackhall and Kingussie’s Rory MacKeachan were unavailable.
MacQuiston Cup final Oban Camanachd U17 3 Col Glen U17 0
Oban Camanachd U17 won the MacQuiston Cup, beating Col Glen U17 3-0 in the final at The Winterton last Sunday.
This 1pm throw-up was played on a heavy pitch but, despite the wet conditions, both teams gave it their all.
Ewen Logan put Oban Camanachd ahead on 31 minutes. Logan played a long ball in on goal and the ball ended up in the net off the keeper’s stick
Oban Camanachd took the single goal advantage into the break and although they had most of the territorial advantage, the Col Glen side which included players from Strachur, Bute and Aberdour, stuck to their task.
Lennon Campbell made it 2-0 straight after half time.
Blair MacFarlane played well when he came on as a substitute and made it 3-0 near then end.
It was a fair result and Oban Camanachd captain Craig Easton was presented with the MacQuiston Cup after the final whistle.
MacMaster Cup semi finals Lochaber U14 5 Kinlochshiel U14 3
Lochaber U14 reached the MacMaster Cup Final with a 5-3 victory over Kinlochshiel U14 at Craigard.
Lochaber made a strong start to the tie and were 3-0 ahead after 15 minutes.
The Spean Bridge side led 4-1 at the break and, despite a Kinlochshiel fight-back in the second half, they won through to the final.
Dillon Brockie grabbed a hattrick for Lochaber, with Robbie Rydings and Max Campbell getting the others.
Ciaran Kellet, Zander MacRae and Archie MacRae were on target for Kinlochshiel.
Inverness U14 2 Kingussie U14 9
Kingussie’s U14s won through to the MacMaster Cup Final, beating Inverness U14 9-2 at Smith Park.
The impressive Ross MacKinnon scored both Inverness goals but an Ally Douglas hattrick and doubles from Calum MacKintosh, Michael Slimon and Ewan Baker gave Kingussie victory.
The 2017 MacMaster Cup Final will take place at The Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday September 30, ahead of the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final between Lovat and Newtonmore.
Portree high wins Shinty Shop Great Glen Schools Sixes
Portree High School won the 2017 Shinty Shop Great Glen Schools Sixes at Blairbeg on Wednesday August 30.
A total of nine teams took part in the U16 tournament.
After the group stages, hosts Glenurquhart A overcome Kingussie A 4-1 in the semi-finals with Portree defeating Kingussie B on penalties after a goal-less draw.
In a close and exciting final, Glenurquhart’s Oliver Black scored in the opening minute but Portree’s Connor Gilpin levelled with the last hit of the game.
There was no further scoring during extra-time so the match went to a penalty shoot-out. Portree’s Martin Pringle scored the all-important penalty after the shoot-out went to sudden death.
There was further joy for Portree when Connor Gilpin was named player of the tournament.
The third and fourth play-off was an all-Kingussie affair with Kingussie B running out 2-1 winners against Kingussie A.
Event organiser Allan MacLeod said: ‘I am delighted at the standard of play which was on display today from all nine teams which entered the competition.
‘We are very fortunate to have the event supported by Shinty Shop and we thank them for their continued sponsorship. Thanks also to Mike Cameron for refereeing and to Billy MacLeod and Fraser MacKenzie from Glenurquhart Shinty Club for their help on the day.’