Shinty round-up - wet weather takes its toll on games

Bullough Cup Final 

 

Bute P 
Lochside Rovers P

 

The Bullough Cup final between the Bute juniors and Lochside Rovers was postponed. 

 

This 3pm throw-up was to take place at the Winterton but the ground failed a midweek pitch inspection as it was waterlogged. Attempts were made to find an alternative venue but without success.

 

The final will now take place on Saturday September 14, with the venue to be confirmed. 

 

Lochside Rovers assistant manager Duncan MacMillan said: “There were a few phone calls as the Camanachd Association tried to find another venue but both clubs were in agreement with the outcome.”
Lochside return to Mowi South Division 1 action on Saturday when they host the Kyles Athletic second team at Mossfield. Throw-up is at 3pm. 

 

The Oban side know if they win both their remaining games - their final match is away to the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team - they will be champions regardless of how Kilmory get on in their last game at home to the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team. 

Mowi South Division 1 

 

Kilmory missed the chance to go three points clear at the top of Mowi South Division 1 when their meeting with the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team was postponed because of a waterlogged MacRae Park.
The match, which will be rescheduled, is Kilmory’s final match of their league programme. Second-placed Lochside Rovers remain a point behind with a game in hand. 

 

The game between Ballachulish and the Kyles Athletic juniors at the Jubilee Park was another call off because of an unplayable field.  

 

Mowi South Division 2 

 

The Inveraray second team were presented with the Mowi South Division 2 trophy following their 2-2 draw with the Aberdour second team at Silversands. 

 

Visitors Inveraray took the lead through David Robertson on 26 minutes, but Tom Bowerman made it 1-1 at the break with a goal on 38 minutes. 

 

Evan Robertson put the champions back in front on the hour but a Josh Allan goal on 73 minutes ensured a share of the spoils. 

 

Following referee John MacKenzie’s final whistle, Inveraray captain Ross Anderson collected the championship trophy from Camanachd Association president Burton Morrison, with Gary Paterson from sponsors Mowi also in attendance. 

 

The Oban Celtic second team go fourth in the table after beating Uddingston 5-0 in their match at Stepps Playing Fields.

 

After a goalless first half, Alfie Robertson put the Oban side ahead on 54 minutes with Lennon Campbell on target a minute later. 

 

Iain MacFarlane made it 3-0 on 63 minutes with Gabriel Tidser on 67 minutes and Joe MacVicar on 79 minutes completing the rout.

 

Women’s Camanachd Association

 

Mowi WCA National Division

 

Glasgow Mid Argyll 1

Badenoch 5

 

League leaders Badenoch came from behind following Beth MacLellan’s opener to beat Glasgow Mid Argyll 5-1 in their 2pm throw-up at Peterson Park.

 

Zoe Reid scored twice with Megan Ralph, Mairi Stewart and Orla Olds getting the others for the visitors. 

 

Ardnamurchan P 
Skye Camanachd P

 

The 1pm throw-up between Ardnamurchan and Skye Camanachd was postponed because of an unplayable pitch at Strontian.

 

Dunadd P 
Lochaber P 

 

Dunadd’s 1pm throw-up with Lochaber at Lochgilphead was called off because of an unplayable pitch.
Mowi WCA South Division 2

 

The 3pm throw-up between Ardnamurchan B and Glasgow Mid Argyll B was called off because of an unplayable Strontian pitch.

 

The fixture between Inveraray and Uddingston was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch at the Winterton.
All throw-ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report states differently.   

Scotland boss names preliminary squad

 

Scotland international manager Garry Reid has named a provisional 33-player trial squad for the 2024 shinty/hurling international against Ireland which takes place on the Emerald Isle on Saturday October 26. 

 

It was a difficult job to select the provisional squad, so Garry knows he has a tough task on his hands reducing the pool further to 20 players. 

 

He said: “There were players at most clubs who came close to being selected but didn’t quite make it. The talent is definitely out there and only naming 33 players was challenging enough. It’s a good problem to have though.”
One player who just missed out is Fort William’s Victor Smith. 

 

Garry Reid added: “Victor is one who caught the eye. He’s injured at the moment but has scored goals in the league and in important cup games too.

 

“I took guidance from some of the clubs, but the pool also includes the players I feel are best for the job. There’s competition and no one is guaranteed a place. I’ve been looking at the players who have been playing well week-in, week-out. They deserve the chance to represent their country.”

 

Victor Smith’s teammate Lachie Shaw made the cut. “Every time I see Lachie play, I’m so impressed. He’s a super player,” said the Scotland manager. 

 

Lochaber’s Ben Delaney is also in the squad. Garry Reid said: “Lochaber has really brought something to the Premiership this season and Ben has been to the fore. He’s been excellent and deserves his chance.” 
Oban Camanachd’s Andy MacDonald has also earned a place. Garry Reid said: “Andy’s a strong lad and his style of play is really suited to shinty/hurling.” 

 

Three goalkeepers - Stuart MacDonald, Cameron Sutherland and Rory McGregor, are included but Garry Reid will only take one to Ireland.  He said: “Stuart, Cameron and Rory are three of the best. We’ll only take one goalkeeper to Ireland though. An outfield player would act as stand-in should there be an emergency. 

 

“John Gillies and William MacKinnon are there from Skye and there was a temptation to pick others as Skye have been right up there from the start of the season. John Gillies played well in Ireland last year. He’s missed a bit of this year through injury but he’s a player who can cover a number of positions. William missed out last season but has impressed again this year.” 

 

Scotland provisional squad from: Angus Renwick, Euan Maccormick, Beauly;  Blair Morrison, Craig Morrison, Kevin Bartlett, Caberfeidh; Lachie Shaw, Fort William;  Calum Morrison, Glasgow Mid Argyll; Conor Cormack, Donald Nixon, Duncan Matheson and Finlay MacRae, Kinlochshiel; Alexander Michie, Calum Grant, Dylan Borthwick, Robert Mabon, Rory McGregor, Ruaridh Anderson and Savio Genini, Kingussie; Roddy Macdonald and Scott Macdonald, Kyles Athletic;  Ben Delaney, Lochaber;  Craig Mainland, Danny Kelly, Greg Matheson and Stuart MacDonald, Lovat; Rory Kennedy and Steven Macdonald, Newtonmore;  Andy MacDonald, Cameron Sutherland, Daniel MacVicar and Daniel Sloss, Oban Camanachd; and John Gillies and William MacKinnon, Skye Camanachd. 

Dunoon’s School of Shinty

 

Dunoon Grammar School has been unveiled as the latest School of Shinty. 

 

The announcement comes after positive work between shinty clubs, the school and the Camanachd Association.
The school’s catchment area  covers shinty clubs including Dunoon Camanachd, Strachur, Col Glen and Kyles Athletic.

 

The School of Shinty contract means there is now a more sustainable pathway for pupils who have played shinty in primary school to continue participating in secondary school.

 

Since initial discussions between the school, the clubs and the Camanachd Association, Dunoon Grammar School has taken positive steps to meet the terms of the school of shinty contract. 

 

In December, all PE staff and sports leaders at the school underwent training to allow them to start teaching shinty as part of the curriculum. 

 

They ran successful trial blocks in January and April to ensure shinty would be a suitable fit for the school and shinty ambassadors at the school have started a lunchtime club with more than 25 members. 

 

The school also hosted six-a-side games against Rothesay Academy after attending a tournament in Rothesay.
The Camanachd Association praised Kelly Wilson, head of PE, Doreen MacDonald and Jo Finlay ofActive Schools who have given up so much of their time to make this happen.

 

Jo Finlay said: “Thank you to the Camanachd Association for its continued support in helping Dunoon Grammar School become a School of Shinty. The area has recently lost football and rugby teams, so it is important we keep the sport of shinty sustainable. This is the start of a great pathway for our young people who want to participate in the sport. Thank you to everyone involved.”