The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Newtonmore power their way to cup win
Kyles goalkeeper Macdonald decides to hang up his boots after Camanachd final defeat
As Newtonm ore celebrated a well-merited 3-0 triumph in the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup final, Kyles Athletic’s 51-year-old goalkeeper Kenny Macdonald confirmed he is hanging up his boots.
Macdonald, who played for Kyles in the 1983 Camanachd final, said: “I made up my mind before the game that I was calling it a day. I’ve played in Kyles’ goal for 30 years and felt a Camanachd final was a fitting time to bow out.
“It’s best to make my own mind up rather than being pushed”
“It’s best to make my own mind up rather than being pushed out some time in the future. It’s time to give someone younger a chance.”
The club stalwart bowed out on a day when Kyles surrendered the trophy meekly, being powered out of the way by a commanding performance by Newtonmore, who collected the trophy for the 30th time.
Winning captain Jamie Robinson, who won the Albert Smith Medal for manof thematch, said: “It’s a huge thrill for me, particularly after being sent off against Kyles in the Macaulay final.
“We were in the right frame of mind and gave an all- round team display, time and again winning the ball when it mattered.”
The 3,500 crowd at Fort William saw Newtonmore so much in charge that play was flat at times as Kyles could not conjure up the flair they showed in last year’s final.
Newtonmore goalkeeper Michael Ritchie did not have a real save to make in the encounter.
Manager Paul John Mackintosh said: “It’s great for our community that after going 25 years without winning the Camanachd we’ve now won it twice in three years. We postponed collecting the league trophy to focus on this one so we’ve another celebration ahead.
“Jamie was devastated at his red card in the Macaulay so it was great to see him respond by playing so superbly in midfield. Glen Mackintosh and Danny MacRae running at the Kyles defence caused a lot of bother. It was good to see younger lads Ally Mackintosh and Ackie MacRae winning their personal duels with great determination.
“A generation of Newtonmore players missed out on Camanachd success, but now that we’ve won it twice. We have the potential to win it at least three times more in the next few years with injured youngsters Rory Kennedy and Chris Sellar still to come in.”
Kyles attacker Roddy Macdonald, four-goal hero
“I’ve had a groin problem and took a chance in playing”
of last year’s final, had a subdued 90 minutes and said: “I’ve had a groin problem and took a chance in playing, but it hindered me. But we’re a young team and we’ll be back.”
Newtonmore’s centre line dominated their opponents, laying the platform for their triumph. Paul Macarthur sprayed effective passes and Norman Campbell, the game’s finest full back, calmly marshalled his defence.
Robinson fired in the opener in the 13th minute with a low 25-yarder and Glen Mackintosh netted early in the second half after a remarkable solo run capped by dribbling round the goalkeeper to score.
Kyles threw caution to the wind after that and created a couple of halfchances, but could not get the goal which would have sparked them into life.
Steve Macdonald was particularly adept at successfully blocking shots.
The third goal came when Danny MacRae pulled the ball out of the air and fired it inside the far post for another beauty.
Andy King had a great game for Kyles, but found little support as the men from The Eilan exerted a stranglehold and powered their way to a win that in the end was more emphatic than the scoreline suggests.
This was the first Camanachd final between the sides in 30 years – and it was the Badenoch men who had the dynamism and physical strength to ensure they carried the 106-year-old trophy home in triumph.
Kyles made no excuses having lost the cup and now also their goalkeeper.