The Shinty Round Up – Saturday February 18 2023

There was another set of preseason friendlies, but the wet weather was the winner on Saturday February 18 2023.

 

Oban Camanachd P Glasgow Mid Argyll P

 

The match between Oban Camanachd and Glasgow Mid Argyll at Mossfield was subject to an 8am Saturday morning pitch inspection and both clubs were left disappointed when the wet weather lead to an inevitable cancelation.

 

Oban Camanachd manager Gareth Evans said: “The rain on Friday night left Mossfield under water in places so although the sun was out on Saturday morning, there was just no way the match could go ahead.

 

“We gathered the squad and had a training session at the astro pitch at Oban High School instead.

 

“Hopefully the weather will be better this coming weekend and our game at Kilmallie can go ahead.

 

"We have a problem in goals, though, as Cammy Sutherland is on holiday and our second team goalie Dougie MacDonald is working so Brian MacCallum will be making another ‘for one week only’ comeback.

 

“Both Malcolm Clark and Daniel Madej have foot injuries and would have missed the GMA game.

 

"However, they have now had an extra week’s recovery and they should be fine for Kilmallie and they will certainly be fit for the start of the new season.

 

“The biggest blow is that we will be without Blair McFarlane for our first few games of the season.

 

"Blair wants to finish off the rugby season, but he has intimated that he will be back when that is done. He’ll probably miss the first three matches.

 

“I’ve said before that I’m really keen we get off to a good start and Blair is a huge player for us; he’s a big part of our squad.

 

"There is no ill-feeling with Blair though, it’s just disappointing, but it will be a chance for someone else.

 

“The irony is we would probably have used Scott MacMillan at centre instead of Blair but he has a two-match suspension carried forward from last season so he will also miss the Newtonmore and Skye matches.”

 

"attachment_880609" "" "300"] Campbell Watt chips the ball clear of the Kyles player. Photograph: Stephen Lawson.

 

Kyles Athletic 3 Inveraray 1

 

Kyles Athletic beat Inveraray 3-1 in their 1pm throw up at the Dunoon Stadium.

 

The game passed a Friday afternoon pitch inspection and was one of the few weekend games to beat the elements.

 

Inveraray started well with Campbell Watt putting them ahead.

 

However, Roddy MacDonald levelled following a corner from Robbie Macleod.

 

Scott MacDonald put Kyles in front, played in by Will Cowie who was making his debut after signing from Skye Camanachd, and youngster Roan MacVicar made it 3-1 following a goalmouth scramble as he turned home a rebound after Robbie Macleod’s effort had been well saved.

 

Inveraray’s Kieran MacKay and Nicholas Crawford both came off as a precaution and Coll MacKay took a knock to his wrist but all three should be fit for the first game of the season.

 

Following his club’s final preseason match, Inveraray manager Andy Watt said: “It was another good run out this week and a really good test for us against Kyles, and I feel the game was probably a bit closer than the score line suggests.

 

“The same as last week, our focus was on our performance and having another game to continue to build up our fitness before the start of the season.”

 

Ardnamurchan 10 Oban Celtic 0

 

The Ardnamurchan second team were too strong for the Oban Celtic second team, winning 10-0 in their 3pm throw up at Ardnamurchan High School.

 

Oban Celtic had a number of call-offs to contend and travelled with a mainly young and inexperienced side, which included three debutants as they continue to develop their youthful squad.

 

At the final count, Stuart MacLachlan scored four times for Ardnamurchan and Herbie Patterson netted twice, while Hamish Kennedy, Kenny MacLennan, Calum Ritchie and Freddie Patterson got the others.

 

Inverness 1 Lochaber 6

 

The Lochaber seconds won 6-1 against the Inverness seconds in their 2pm throw up at the Bught Park.

 

Lochaber boss Kenny Forsyth fielded a mixture of youth and experience with Amy Disher one of their top performers.

 

Fifteen-yearold Ruairidh Boag scored the Inverness goal and the match was a great exercise for their young side.

 

They have some exciting talent coming through from their under-17 ranks and started 10 of them in this game.

 

Strachur-Dunoon 4 Kyles Athletic 0 

 

The Kyles Athletic second team were 4-0 winners against Strachur-Dunoon in their 2.45pm throw up at the top pitch at the Dunoon Stadium.

 

Lochcarron 2 Glengarry 2

 

Lochcarron and Glengarry drew 2-2 in a training game at the Plockton High School astro pitch.

 

Caberfeidh 0 Newtonmore 2

 

The Newtonmore colts were 2-0 victors against the Caberfeidh colts at Castle Leod.

 

Kyle Clark and Xavio Vastano scored the goals that made the difference.

 

Caberfeidh under-17 player of the year Kenzie Taylor received his trophy from club chieftain David MacMaster at the game.

 

John MacKinnon Sixes

 

Skye Camanachd hosted the John MacKinnon Memorial Sixes at the Portree High School astro pitch.

 

Seven teams took part in this round-robin event on a calm and mostly sunny morning and the final was between Glamaig and serial winners Crossal.

 

Crossal’s William MacKinnon scored the only goal of the final when he cut across goal to the left before sending a back-hand drive across the keeper and into the net.

 

Glamaig keeper Calum Nicolson saved well with his right foot after the restart to prevent William MacKinnon adding a second.

 

The winning Crossal squad was: Ewen MacKinnon, Thomas MacKinnon (captain), Ross MacKinnon, William MacKinnon, Iain Nicolson, Holly Maclean, Ruaraidh MacLeod

 

The tournament award winners were: Under-17 player of the tournament – Angus Gilpin; Ladies player of the tournament – Sadie MacDonald; Over-40s player of the tournament – Peter Gordon; Overall player of the tournament – William MacKinnon.

 

Kilmallie P Oban Celtic P

 

Kilmallie’s match with Oban Celtic didn’t go ahead as the Canal Parks was unplayable.

 

Kingussie P Kinlochshiel P

 

A covering of snow meant the noon throw up between Kingussie and Kinlochshiel at the Market Stance was called off on Saturday morning.

 

Beauly P Glenurquhart P

 

Beauly and Glenurquhart were foiled when their 1.30pm throw up at Braeview Park was postponed following a pitch inspection.

 

Aberdour P Col Glen P

 

Aberdour’s final preseason match was to be a 1.30pm throw up against Col Glen at Silversands. However, a pitch inspection ruled the field unplayable.

 

Lochside Rovers P Glasgow Mid Argyll P

 

The friendly between Lochside Rovers and the Glasgow Mid Argyll seconds was postponed when Ganavan was ruled unplayable.

 

Strathglass P Kinlochshiel P

 

The Strathglass reserves and the Kinlochshiel reserves were to contest the John Stirling Memorial Cup in a 2.30pm throw up at Cannich but the match was called off following a pitch inspection.

 

Uddingston P Tayforth P

 

Uddingston and Tayforth were to have men’s and women’s matches at the Stepps Playing Fields but both games were called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

 

Boleskine P Glenurquhart P

 

The 2pm throw up between Boleskine and the Glenurquhart seconds at Smith Park was called off on Saturday morning due to an unplayable pitch.

 

Lochaber P Fort William P

 

Lochaber and Fort William were to meet in 1.30pm throw up at Spean Bridge but the game was called off on Friday due to the wet weather and an awful forecast.

 

Fort William P Kilmallie P

 

The wet weather led to the second team derby between Fort William and Kilmallie at An Aird being switched the Lochaber High School astro pitch during the week but with no sign of the weather improving, the game was also called off on Friday.

 

Ardnamurchan Step Up

 

When Benjamin Franklin said: “If you want something done, ask a busy person,” he could have been referring to Ardnamurchan’s Lyndsay Bradley, who certainly proves the theory.

 

Not content with leading the club’s primary and youth teams, Lyndsay also coaches the women’s sides and the Ardnamurchan men’s first team and if that’s not enough, Lyndsay is also a Camanachd Association director.

 

Last Saturday was a case in point, kicking off with club CPR training and an annual general meeting, followed by an afternoon of shinty friendlies as the women took on their Glenurquhart counterparts followed by the men against the Oban Celtic seconds.

 

The day was rounded off with the club’s pre-season fundraising dance and awards night at Glenuig Hall.

 

This is a big season for Ardnamurchan who take their place in Mowi South Division 1 for the first time.

 

Lyndsay said: “We left the decision to the players themselves and they worked hard all last season, and they were keen to make the step up.

 

"They are also keen to give the cups a real go and the likes of the Camanachd Association Single Team Cup will be interesting this year.”

 

So far, this pre-season has seen a 4-0 defeat to Skye and a 10-0 victory over Oban Celtic.

 

“We were missing four players for the Skye friendly,” said Lyndsay, “but that gave others a chance and it was great to see promising youngsters like Stuart MacLennan play.”

 

Herbie Patterson went on to have a great season last year, rewarded with a place in the South under-21 squad, scoring in a 3-1 win over North under-21.

 

Lyndsay agreed that he will be one of the club’s key players this term.

 

“Herbie did well last season as did his brother Freddie who has been playing at centre despite being a young boy. His confidence is growing. Our full back Michael Docherty is another important player too.

 

“A number of the players that I brought through primary school are now aged 17, 18, 19 and are ready to make their mark.

 

“Jack MacMillan and Allan Nairn have come back after a break and they will make us stronger next season whilst we also have two new players; Peter Grace, who previously played for Inverness, and Ben Taylor-MacPherson, who was with Boleskine, so we are in good shape.”

 

Ard’ will do things differently with their two women’s teams next season as the first team compete in the Mowi National Division and the seconds in Mowi South Division 2.

 

Lyndsay explained: “We have taken a stance with the women’s teams this season where we will maintain two separate squads, even with first team players are not part of the “named 8” so there will be plenty of opportunities.

 

“It is very much a family affair at Ardnamurchan whether it is the four Ford sisters playing together, my daughter Kate and I or Herbie, Freddie, their sister Sally, and their dad Simon in goals for the men’s team. There are several other brothers and sisters too.”

 

The club benefited from resurfacing work on their pitch in 2019 and they are set to put that to good use in 2023.

 

Skye Suffer Double Injury Blow

 

Skye Camanachd have suffered a double injury blow ahead of the new shinty season.

 

The Islanders, who open with a Mowi Premiership derby at Kinlochshiel before hosting Oban Camanachd in the league a week later, look like being without skipper and full back John Gillies and wing back Martin Pringle for at least the first month of the new season.

 

Both defenders have ankle injuries with Gillies suffering a knock in the friendly draw with Newtonmore and Pringle on crutches after going over his ankle at training.

 

Regional Shinty Fixtures

 

With the new shinty season just over a week away, we follow up our recent look at the early national fixtures with a look at the top two regional leagues.

 

Mowi South Division 1

 

Cruachanside have not been able to field a team this season so with Tayforth relegated and Ardnamurchan promoted, this is a seven-team league.

 

Aberdour, relegated from the Mowi National Division at the end of last season, will start amongst the title favourites and they begin their league programme against the Kyles Athletic seconds at Tighnabruaich. Aberdour’s first home match is the week after against Ballachulish before they visit Bute. Aberdour end the month at home to Ardnamurchan.

 

Bute finished second in the division last season, and they open against Lochside Rovers at the Meadows. A trip to the Glasgow Mid Argyll seconds follows before a tasty home meeting with Aberdour. Bute end the season at Ballachulish.

 

The Glasgow Mid Argyll seconds lifted the Bullough Cup last season as well as finishing third in the league and they visit Ballachulish on the first day of the season.

 

GMA then welcome Bute before visiting Ardnamurchan but they have no fixture on the final day of the month.

 

Lochside Rovers have a difficult opener at Bute before Ardnamurchan travel to Oban. Lochside are without a fixture on week three and finish the month at Kyles Athletic.

 

Ballachulish continue in South 1 and they start the new season against the Glasgow Mid Argyll seconds at the Jubilee. GMA are at home to Bute and away to Ardnamurchan but don’t have a fixture on week four.

 

The Kyles Athletic seconds take on Aberdour at Tighnabruaich on the first Saturday of the new season. Kyles have a Saturday with no game before travelling to Ballachulish and then hosting Lochside Rovers.

 

Newly promoted Ardnamurchan are the idle seventh team on the opening day of the season, so their first match is in Oban against Lochside Rovers the week after, before welcoming the Glasgow Mid Argyll seconds. Ardnamurchan’s final match of the month is at Aberdour.

 

Mowi North Division 1

 

Champions Newtonmore seconds will be tested as Glengarry visit the Eilan on the season’s opening day.

 

'More miss a Saturday before welcoming the Kinlochshiel seconds and then heading north to play the Inverness first team at the Bught.

 

The Inverness first team ran Newtonmore close last season, and they begin at the Lovat colts.

 

The Glenurquhart seconds make the short journey to Inverness before the Highland capital side welcome the Kingussie seconds.

 

Inverness end the month with what could be a crucial home match against Newtonmore.

 

Glengarry follow up their visit to Newtonmore with a home match against the Skye colts.

 

'Garry are then off to newly promoted Beauly seconds before the Fort William reserves visit Craigard.

 

The Fort William seconds are off to Glenurquhart for their season opener and then have their “Free Saturday”.

 

The Fort finish the month with successive away matches at Lovat and Glengarry.

 

The Kinlochshiel colts start with a derby on Skye and then host Beauly. A trip to Newtonmore and a home match with Lovat completes the month.

 

The Kingussie second team have their “Free Saturday” on the first day of the season. The Kings start against Lovat at the Dell, then travel to Inverness and round off the month at home to Skye.

 

The Glenurquhart reserves play Fort William at Blairbeg before heading for Inverness. Next up is a journey west to Skye and the Glen welcome the Inverness seconds on the final Saturday of the month.

 

Skye Camanachd seconds’ season begins with a derby in Portree against Kinlochshiel. Next up is a game at Glengarry before Glenurquhart at home and Kingussie away.

 

The Lovat colts welcome Inverness before travelling to Kingussie. Fort William visit Balgate before Lovat make for Kinlochshiel.

 

Newly promoted Beauly seconds are without a fixture on the first Saturday of the month and then travel to Kinlochshiel and host Glengarry. They round off the month at Caberfeidh in the Strathdearn Cup first round.

 

The new shinty season starts on Saturday March 4 2023.

 

This weekend’s matches

 

The final round of preseason friendlies take place on Saturday February 25 2023.

 

The games include Kilmallie’s home fixture with Oban Camanachd to the Canal Parks whilst Oban Celtic host Glengarry at Mossfield. Throw-up is at 1pm.

 

There is an all-Mowi Premiership meeting between Kingussie and Glasgow Mid Argyll whilst Kinlochshiel and Skye Camanachd have a west coast derby and Lovat and Bute meet at Balgate.

 

The Kingussie and Fort William second teams clash whilst three miles down the road, 2022 Mowi North Division 1 champions Newtonmore play 2022 Mowi South Division 1 winners Col-Glen at the Eilan.

 

Strathspey host Skye Camanachd at Grantown Grammar School with the Beauly colts taking on the Caberfeidh colts.

 

The new shinty season starts on Saturday 4 March 2023.