Shinty round-up - 17.3.25
South Shinty
Mowi Premiership
Oban Camanachd 4 Skye Camanachd 0
Oban Camanachd remain third in the Mowi Premiership after scoring twice in each half to defeat Skye Camanachd at Mossfield.
Oban Camanachd’s Malcolm Clark is likely to be out until around the end of April with a broken thumb but Andy MacDonald and Louie MacFarlane both returned to the starting line-up.
Skye were still missing John Gillies whilst full back Ryan Harrison was cheering on the Scotland rugby team in France. The Islanders also travelled without Ross Gordon, William MacKinnon, James Morrison and Ross Nicolson.
Ross Campbell put the Oban side ahead on 22 minutes, running in from the left and turning home a rebound off Skye keeper Ryan Morrison after his initial shot had been saved.
Ross Macmillan made it 2-0 on 30 minutes with a turn and shot from around the penalty spot to the keeper’s left and it stayed that way until the break.
The second half was just three minutes old when Ross Campbell got his second, making space to control Ross Macmillan’s ball from the left and he finished low into the goal.
There was no further scoring until the final minute when substitute Scott Campbell scrambled the ball home from close range after Skye failed to deal with a corner from the right.
Oban Camanachd manager Daniel Cameron spoke straight after the final whistle, saying: “It was a clean sheet first and foremost against a Skye side who have been a bit of a bogey team for us over the last couple of years.
“We’ve not had many points against them recently, and they did really well in the Premiership last season.
“I thought we showed up today for the 90 minutes and we were deserved winners.”
Assistant manager Iain MacMillan added: “It was good to have both Andy MacDonald and Louie MacFarlane back in the starting line-up, and with only Malcolm Clark out injured, we had a strong squad whilst Skye were missing a few.
“I thought we controlled the game from start to finish and that was our best performance of the season so far when everything we have worked on in training came to fruition.
“We played some really fast, sharp shinty. We took a wee while to get the first goal and were a bit nervy up to that point but then settled down and played some good stuff.
“The attitude was spot on though and you need that in the Premiership. In fact, we were a wee bit disappointed that we’d only scored twice by half-time because we wanted to kill the game and give the young substitutes a good run out.
“We really needed the third goal to make things safe and Ross Campbell, who’s been flying this season, finished off a good move.
“We were then able to make changes. We took Louie MacFarlane off to rest him and Calum MacMillan who took an uncomfortable knock and won’t forget to put his protective “cup” on again.
“Alexander MacDonald, Scott Campbell and Joe MacVicar came on and these three young guys played their part, helping us see out the game.
“We wanted a fourth goal so we could say we’d scored twice in each half and that goal came late on. It was scored by 15-year-old Scott Campbell with his first goal for the senior team and he’s rightly delighted with himself.
“An injury to Evan MacLellan was the only downside for us but overall, we’re delighted to get a result against a tough team that we’ve struggled against in recent seasons. That’s five points out of six so far.”
Skye manager Willie MacDonald added: “We had to make changes today with some young lads coming into the side. Some took their opportunity, but some didn’t.”
This weekend, Oban Camanachd, sponsored by TSL Contractors, travel to newly promoted Beauly in the league.
Iain MacMillan said: “That’s three games so far and we’ve managed to have one big injury in every game and against Skye it was Evan MacLellan who took a blow to the side of the helmet, and he has an injury to his cheek or maybe even his eye socket but there’s definitely a break there somewhere.
“We don’t know yet whether he’ll need surgery or whether he can get a mask on it as he’s a hardy boy and will want to play.
“We’ll get ready for the trip though and we feel like we’re in a good place.”
Skye should have players back for their meeting with Caberfeidh in what will be their first home match of the season.
Caberfeidh 4 Kyles Athletic 2
Caberfeidh had to work hard for their 4-2 victory over Kyles Athletic at Castle Leod.
Ewen Campbell and Calum MacKinnon both returned for Caberfeidh. Campbell started with MacKinnon on the bench. Russell MacKenzie remained out as did Liam Symonds who completed his two-match suspension.
Kyles travelled north without but Roddy Macdonald and Andrew King. Manager Grant Profit was forced to list himself as substitute alongside Luke Thornton.
Logan Beaton flicked the opener over visiting keeper Iain MacFarlane on 12 minutes before then scrambling home Kevin Bartlett’s pass for his and Caberfeidh’s second goal of the afternoon which came a couple of minutes short of the half-hour mark.
Craig Morrison added a third just four minutes after, turning home a rebound from close range.
Kyles skipper Conor Kennedy pulled a goal back from the penalty spot just three minutes into the second half before Kevin Bartlett scored from the penalty spot on 63 minutes, a spot-hit disputed by Kyles.
Kyles finished strongly and a hit-in landed in the Caberfeidh net off keeper Iain McCall to cut the lead to 4-2 but that’s the way it remained.
Caberfeidh manager Garry Reid said: “It was a scrappy win against a stuffy Kyles team. We had early chances, but Kyles always looked dangerous. We should have been comfortable at half-time, but the final score probably wasn’t a fair reflection on Kyles.
“The penalty brought them right back into it, and even when Kevin Bartlett made it 4-1, it didn’t feel over. An own goal from our keeper Iain McCall made for a nervy final 20 minutes but he more than redeemed himself with a couple of good saves late on.
“We’ll take the two points and move on to Skye next week.”
Kyles boss Grant Profit added: “It was frustrating. We didn’t necessarily play badly in the first half, but lapses in concentration meant we were somehow behind.
“We came out fighting in the second half, but it was annoying that the penalty meant we lost momentum.
“I need to make sure we are well coached, so we are managing our games better going forward and playing well for the full 90 minutes. The fight shown in the second half gives me cause for optimism.”
Mowi National Division
Bute 1 Lochaber 1
Scott Harvey’s goal a minute from time earned battling Bute a draw with league leaders Lochaber at The Meadows.
Ben Delaney had given the Spean Bridge men the lead on 14 minutes, but they found it difficult to get by a stubborn Bute defence after that and Scott Harvey made them pay when he popped up with the equaliser on 89 minutes.
Lochaber manager Ally Ferguson said: “That was a very frustrating game for us out in Rothesay but credit to Bute; they rode the pressure, and their defence was strong and very determined.
“We went 1-0 up and had more chances but didn’t take them and neither keeper had a lot to do.
“It seems like a point dropped to us after being 1-0 up until 89 minutes, but it was an important point to get out on the island. Great credit must go to Bute for their determination and hard work, despite the efforts we put into the game to increase our lead.”
Lochaber have a league meeting with Inveraray at Spean Bridge on Saturday whilst Bute travel to Kilmallie.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 Kilmallie 0
Glasgow Mid Argyll cut the gap at the top of the league to a single point after beating Kilmallie 1-0 at Peterson Park.
Calum McLay scored the goal that made the difference on the stroke of half-time.
GMA boss Alan MacRae missed the game through work commitments but said: “Reports back to me say we did well to grind out the result.
“We had keeper Jonathon Oates to thank for a good penalty save and I’m happy with the clean sheet. However, our wing back Sam Burnett had to go to hospital with a shoulder injury, so we hope he’s ok. It is proving to be an exciting league already.”
GMA are off to Col Glen in the Mowi National Division on Saturday whilst Kilmallie welcome Bute.
Glenurquhart 1 Col Glen 4
Col Glen beat Glenurquhart at Blairbeg.
Scott MacVicar put the visitors ahead on 15 minutes, but Daniel MacLean made it level at the break, scoring on 37 minutes.
Col Glen regained the lead with Scott MacVicar’s second on 53 minutes and further goals from Neily Mcnaughton on 66 minutes and Sam Bulloch on 71 minutes sealed the 4-1 win.
Two-goal hero Scott MacVicar spoke afterwards: “That was a convincing win against a good Glenurquhart side.
“After a poor opening game against Lochaber, the boys have played some brilliant shinty over the past fortnight and we’re starting to see some rewards for our efforts.
“This was one of those days where everything seemed to click, and we hope to take this momentum into the game against Glasgow Mid Argyll next week.”
Inveraray 3 Strathglass 1
Inveraray won in the league for the first time this season, beating Strathglass 3-1 at The Winterton.
Ewan Donnan finished off a good move to give Inveraray a 15-minute lead and Fraser Watt tapped home a second with five first half minutes to go.
Darren Reid scored for Strathglass on 58 minutes but a second from Fraser Watt on 70 minutes finished off an excellent move and made it 3-1.
Mowi South Division 1
Oban Celtic 4 Lochside Rovers 1
Oban Celtic go two points clear at the top of Mowi South Division 1 after beating local rivals Lochside Rover in their derby at Ganavan.
Celtic edged in front after just 15 minutes when Kyle MacFarlane scored his sixth goal of the season, and it was Kyle MacFarlane again to make it 2-0 on 25 minutes.
Celtic were on a roll and just a couple of minutes after, Scott Dempster added a third. Lochside pulled a goal back through Cammy MacMillan on 39 minutes with a hard, low shot from just outside the box and it took a couple of good saves from Celtic goalie Cammy Mccallum to prevent them from reducing the deficit further.
However, substitute Lennon Campbell ensured there would be no comeback when he found space to make it 4-1 on the hour to give Oban Celtic a deserved win.
Oban Celtic’s Cammy Mccallum said: “The boys played some really nice shinty but the most pleasing thing for me was the attitude of all of our players in a game that was hard-fought and very physical at times.
“I thought our defence was outstanding and limited Lochside’s chances. Captain David Hill led by example at full back with young Ryan MacInnes, Finlay Cameron and Duncan MacEwan all having great games with Duncan probably just getting the nod for man of the match.
“Up front, the boys knocked the ball about nicely and our in-form Kyle MacFarlane bagged another couple of goals, now totalling seven goals in three games. It’s also good to see Scott Dempster scoring again and Lennon Campbell coming off the bench to get his first of the season in the second half.
“The only negative for us was a foot injury to George MacMillan but he managed to see out the game so hopefully he’ll be fit for our trip to Glasgow next week.
“We’re very happy with the win against tough opposition.”
Lochside Rovers assistant manager Duncan MacMillan added: “We gave ourselves too much to do after the opening 27 minutes.
“They took their goals well, but Cammy MacMillan got us back into it and that’s three goals in three games from him. The next goal at that stage was crucial I thought their keeper Cammy Mccallum made a couple of good saves at that point, especially one with his hand, and it would have been interesting had we got it back to 3-2.
“We can’t complain though and they deserved it. We’ll need to show more fluency in our play next week.
“It was also good to see Ross Campbell and Scott Campbell stepping up from Lochside to be amongst the goals for Oban Camanachd on Saturday. That was very pleasing.”
Oban Celtic are back in league action on Saturday when they visit the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team whilst Lochside Rovers welcome Kilmory.
Ardnamurchan 1 Glasgow Mid Argyll 3
The Glasgow Mid Argyll colts were victors against Ardnamurchan at Strontian.
When referee Bart Bukowski awarded GMA a penalty on 25 minutes, Ross Brown stepped up to score from the spot.
Freddie Patterson equalised on the hour but Scott Craig on 67 minutes and Ryan MacKenzie on 79 minutes ensured the points would go south to Glasgow.
Ballachulish 1 Aberdour 0
Marcus Spence scored the only goal of the game on 36 minutes as Ballachulish beat Aberdour at The Jubilee Park.
Balla’ had to rely on a strong defensive performance in the second half to keep Aberdour at bay.
Kilmory 2 Inveraray 1
Kilmory are two points off the top of the table after beating the Inveraray juniors 2-1 in their 2pm throw up at MacRae Park.
Duncan MacBrayne put the hosts ahead on 15 minutes and Euan Gilmour doubled their lead on 55 minutes.
Inveraray player-manager Andrew McMurdo pulled a goal back on 75 minutes, but it wasn’t enough.
Mowi South Division 2
Kyles Athletic 4 Tayforth 1
The Kyles Athletic juniors beat Tayforth 4-1 at The Playing Field, Tighnabruaich.
Kyles were quick out of the blocks with Thomas Whyte on target in the opening minute and Dunky Kerr added a second on 19 minutes.
Thomas Whyte got his second to make it 3-1 on 73 minutes and although Niall Arnott pulled a goal back on 78 minutes, Dunkie Kerr notched his second just four minutes later to make the final score 4-1.
Uddingston 0 Strachur-Dunoon 3
Strachur-Dunoon logged their first league win of the season, beating Uddingston at The Stepps Playing Fields.
Brandon Wilson got the opener on 8 minutes with Steven Thomson and Nathan Morris adding goals on 48 and 60 minutes.
WCA Round Up
Mowi WCA National League
Ardnamurchan 1 Dunadd 3
Dunadd claimed both points with a 3-1 win over Ardnamurchan at Strontian.
Eilidh Cameron scored twice for the visitors with Rosie Hetherington also netting whilst Ard’s Kate Bradley opened the scoring.
Strathglass 2 Aberdour 2
Strathglass and Aberdour shared the points following a 2-2 draw in their 2pm throw up at Cannich.
Strathglass took the lead through Isla Strachan, but Rowan Cooper made it 1-1 at the turnaround.
Strathglass regained the lead when Beatrice Finkler punished a defensive slip, but Aberdour pulled level for a second time when Rebecca Thorington finished a well-worked move.
Mowi WCA South League
Glasgow Mid Argyll 2 Tayforth 2
Glasgow Mid Argyll B and Tayforth drew up at Peterson Park.
Freya Gault netted both times for GMA with Siobhain Lane and Morven Kennedy replying.
Uddingston 0 Inveraray 5
Inveraray won against Uddingston at The Stepps Playing Field.
Katie MacKay scored four times and Lauren Wood the other.
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