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Press and Journal
3 days ago
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Shinty: Chilli is back on the menu at Newtonmore ahead of Caberfeidh clash
Shinty's opening day fixture list is reversed as the Mowi Premiership approaches the halfway point. Cameron 'Chilli' McNiven returns for Newtonmore against Caberfeidh. His manager Peter Ross said: 'Chilli's back and we've a clean bill of health other than Michael Russell and Brodie MacBean who have longer-term injuries. 'Brodie has been to Ross Hall Hospital and might need a clean-up operation on his knee but getting him back is going to be such a big boost. I think he's a perfect forward. 'Drew MacDonald and Ritchie Irvine got good game time for the second team last week.' With top scorer Craig Morrison missing through injury, Cabers boss Garry Reid has seen his side draw blanks in their last two outings. He said: 'We just couldn't break Beauly down last week. We had lots of ball in the forward areas, but they defended pretty well. 'I don't think Craig Morrison is ready for a return quite yet and we're also missing Kevin Bartlett. Logan Beaton has picked up a hamstring injury, so I don't think he'll make it either, but Gavin McLaughlin comes back into the squad.' With the WM Donald MacTavish Cup final against Kingussie just a week away, Lovat manager Iain Nicolson takes his side for face former club Skye Camanachd in Portree. He said: 'Unfortunately, we have a few missing for various reasons which isn't ideal both for this important game and in terms of our preparation for the final, but it is what it is. 'That said, I have faith in the boys to get a result and I'm looking forward to coming up against good friends and old teammates.' Skye manager Kenny MacLeod recognises that it's a chance to move out of the relegation zone, saying: 'It's a massive opportunity for us to start climbing the table and I'm fully expecting a tight contest. 'I'm also looking forward to coming up against a good family friend and former teammate in Iain Nicolson. 'I've followed Lovat closely since his appointment, wanting him to do well, but that won't be the case this weekend. 'We'll be at full strength, which is a big boost, and it's great to see Jordan Murchison back training and getting valuable minutes with the second team. He's looking sharp and not far off being in the mix for selection again.' Kingussie manager Iain Borthwick gave a grim report ahead of the trip to Beauly. He said: 'It's not looking good as Rory MacKeachan had a recurrence of his hamstring injury against Skye whilst Savio Genini and Lee Bain are both working. Dylan Borthwick's unavailable and Cammie Bremner only flies back from holiday on Saturday. It's also too early for Liam Borthwick but he's getting there. 'I'm still happy with our 15-player squad. I know they won't let me down and that will make my selection even more difficult come the MacTavish final.' Kinlochshiel's Ali Nixon will have a late fitness test ahead of Oban Camanachd's visit. Shiel manager Willie MacRae said: 'Ali's hopeful and Arron Jack returns. Finlay MacRae and David Falconer are still sidelined, and Mark MacDonald is working.' Daniel Maccuish remains Oban Camanachd's main concern. Kyles Athletic defender Jamie Forgrieve is free from suspension for Fort William's visit. Ferguson Transport and Shipping Balliemore Cup semi-final places are up for grabs and holders Glasgow Mid Argyll visit Col Glen who are without the suspended Jamie MacVicar. The 2023 winners Lochaber are off to Oban Celtic, Inveraray host Aberdour whilst Strathglass and Inverness have derby clash at Cannich. Badenoch extended their lead at the top of the Mowi WCA Premier League after winning 6-1 at Kinlochshiel. Megan Ralph and Kirsty Deans both bagged doubles with Zoe Reid and Hope Borthwick making up their count. Lexie MacKenzie replied. Glenurquhart remain bottom of the table despite their goalless draw with Glasgow Mid Argyll. The Mowi Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup quarter-final ties take place this weekend and holders Lochaber travel to Inverness.
Press and Journal
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Shinty: Caberfeidh goal machine Craig Morrison reveals knee injury prognosis
There was a collective sigh of relief at Caberfeidh when it was confirmed the knee injury suffered by Craig Morrison – shinty's top senior scorer last year – isn't as bad as originally feared. Morrison missed last week's win over Beauly, and although this weekend's Mowi Premiership trip to Kinlochshiel comes too soon for the Scotland international, he is hopeful a return isn't too far away. Morrison netted 38 goals last season, and he said: 'I hurt my knee against Fort William a couple of weeks ago, but I'm hoping it's not as bad as first thought. 'I've had an orthopaedic appointment, and they don't think it's anything serious, so I just need to give it some rest for a week or two and hopefully I'll be back playing after that.' However, his manager Garry Reid noted a word of caution, adding: 'We're still not 100% sure about Craig's knee, so we'll not push him back too early and risk him being out for a longer period – no matter how much he says he's ready to play. 'We do have few players who are back from last week, though, in Ben MacDonald, Jamie Mackintosh, Gavin McLaughlin and Ewen Campbell. 'The young players who came into the squad last week did well, so Seamus Henderson, Taylor Condon and James MacKenzie are all in contention. 'Charlie Ferguson, Callum MacKinnon, Ruaridh MacKinnon and Logan Beaton aren't available this week.' Kinlochshiel manager Willie MacRae said: 'I'll have David Falconer back, whilst Ali Nixon trained well this week and he'll be included unless there are any last-minute issues. 'Finlay MacRae isn't ready yet, though, but we'll hopefully have him back in early June.' Oban Camanachd's title aspirations will be put to the test when champions and current leaders Kingussie visit Mossfield. Oban are a point off the top, and assistant manager Iain MacMillan said: 'Kingussie have set the pace and standards for everyone else to try and match. 'We know we'll need to be at the top of our game, and we know what they bring, especially in attack. 'We'll have to be fully concentrated in defence for the full 90 minutes. 'We're at home, though, so will look to play our own game and style, trying to cause them as many problems as possible. 'Louie MacFarlane has a real chance of returning after injury which is big boost. 'But it's still too soon for Daniel Maccuish – He's trained well so he's good fitness-wise and we hope he'll return in the coming weeks.' Kingussie boss Iain Borthwick added: 'The news from our camp isn't good. 'Liam Borthwick, Fraser Munro and Rory MacKeachan are definitely out with hamstring problems, while Cammie Bremner's on holiday and gamekeepers Lee Bain and Savio Genini have a charity shoot. George Taylor Ramsay's still recovering from a fractured metatarsal, and although Ruaridh Anderson trained again, he's not 100% fit and I'm not sure I want to risk him with a Camanachd Cup tie at Skye next week. 'Even our experienced second team players are carrying injuries, so there will be spaces for some of our youths.' Second-placed Fort William hope to capitalise should their rivals drop points when they host Skye. The sides met in an Artemis Macaulay Cup tie at the same venue at the start of the month, which Skye edged after extra-time. Lovat travel to Newtonmore, challenged with breaching a mean defence who haven't conceded a goal in 378 minutes. More defender Rory Kennedy said: 'Steven Macdonald has been excellent these recent weeks, Daniel Sloss has come into the defence and has been a great addition to our squad, whilst Tristan Ross has played his part since dropping back, so that all makes my job a lot easier. 'It's now about keeping the momentum going and making sure we do the same things week-in, week-out.' Lovat manager Iain Nicolson said: 'Unfortunately I'm missing a couple of key players due to injury and personal commitments, but that said, I still have a strong squad and there are opportunities for those players pushing for a regular starting position to stake a claim. We're prepared for a tough game.' Roddy Macdonald returns for Kyles Athletic against Beauly. Manager Grant Profit said: 'It's great to have Roddy back. Ross Macrae will likely need another week, but we should have him for the Oban Camanachd tie in the Scottish.' Bute and Glenurquhart meet for the second successive Saturday, this time in the Mowi National Division at The Meadows, whilst Strathglass seek their first points when second-placed Col Glen visit Cannich.
Irish Examiner
28-04-2025
- Climate
- Irish Examiner
See the oceanside Kerry home remodelled to withstand the elements
Remember Storm Ophelia? The post-tropical cyclone that hammered Ireland's coastline on October 16, 2017? For the owner of a home in Kerry called The Forge, in Fahamore, Castlegregory, it was the day a rogue wave cut loose about the house. Some might jump ship in the wake of such an ordeal and head for the higher and drier hills, but not so the owner of The Forge. In the knowledge that he had a site to die for, he hired someone to design a home that would withstand whatever the elements conjured. He was fortunate to know the ideal candidate: Designer Craig Morrison, whose wife is related to the client. Based in Morrison Design Studio in Kinsale, Co Cork, Craig has experience in designing homes and buildings suited to extreme environments. 'I guess the whole thing was a bit of a family affair as the client is my wife's cousin,' says Craig. A Tasmanian, Craig married an Irish woman whose grandmother grew up in Spillane's Bar & Restaurant, a popular Castlegregory hostelry directly across the road from The Forge, which is so-called because it was once home and workshop to the local blacksmith. The last blacksmith to have lived there, a Mr O'Connor, died in the mid-1970s. His brother Hugh continued to live at The Forge until the early 1980s, after which the property fell into disrepair, the planning files say. In 2002, a planning application was made to build a new dwelling in place of the original forge, estimated to have been more than 100 years old, with plans to retain some of the original walls. However, it seems structural problems arose during construction and the original building was flattened and replaced. Designer Craig Morrison looks out over Brandon Bay from the seawall constructed to protect the property. It later became a surf shop and operated as such for a couple of years before reverting to a dwelling, which it has been since 2010. Images on Google Street View of what this replacement looked like show a traditional dormer bungalow, with a design that made no meaningful use of the site or of the mesmerising view. With Craig on board, the current owner applied for permission to remodel the house substantially in 2021. The designer's main challenge was to create a home impenetrable to future Ophelias. 'As it's right on Brandon Bay, Storm Ophelia sent a wave right through the house. The living area. "It didn't destroy the property, but it did destroy the interiors, so a big part of my design was to prevent that happening again,' says Craig. What he came up with is pretty unique. As well as remodelling the house to a striking contemporary design, he changed its outlook, pivoting the room layout, so that the main living accommodation looks seaward. Bay-facing walls are lined with floor-to-ceiling glazing, and the roof rises into an apex, over a double-height space, adding impressive volume. Beyond the seaward-facing windows is an internal courtyard, open to the skies and the rugged shoreline, but capable of being closed off by the most singular element of the design: great, hulking, orange-red storm shutters, made of Corten steel with perforated Corten sheets, that can be rolled closed on tracks to shut out wayward surf or shield against high winds. 'In the closed position, they shelter the house and the floor-to-ceiling glass,' adds Craig. He designed the whole system and had the steel fabricated by CDS Metalwork in Kilkenny. Sea views from a bedroom. The tracks and wheels were a one-off design 'specifically for this job', says Craig: 'The concrete frame was also designed for the shutters to take extreme wind conditions, upwards of 80 knots. All the Corten parts were custom-made to my specific details.' The metal shutters are closed to protect the property from the elements. In an increasingly harsh environment, they protect the house and courtyard from the worst of the weather. Rolled back, they expose the sublime views, out over dazzling Brandon Bay, in this most scenic corner on the north shore of the Dingle Peninsula, once described by National Geographic as 'the most beautiful place on earth'. The Forge on the beach and steps are part of the seawall, left; a shipping container used for storage is set into the ground to be less obtrusive, top right, the enclosed outdoor courtyard, below right. It's an area beloved of surfers, with miles of glorious beaches, stretching from the three-mile sandy spit of the Maharees, westwards through Castlegregory, and with the conditions to snare it a place on the Red Bull list of the eight best surf spots in Ireland. 'It's one of the most exposed parts of Ireland. Red Bull used to hold windsurfing competitions here,' says Craig. Late evening sunshine hits the rear of the property, where a concrete outdoor dining table and olive tree are located. While The Forge is designed to withstand extreme weather events, which are occurring with increasing regularity, it is also designed to capitalise on light and views. Natural light floods through large skylights and through the glazed walls that frame the views. Two patios get the best of the light and weather as they face south and west. Both are sheltered by roof overhangs. An apex window on the seaward side above the double-height living space rises high into the ceiling of engineered oak and plywood. The timber continues down the walls of the main living space, which includes the open-plan kitchen/dining/living areas of this one-bedroom house. Craig enlisted the help of Tralee-based carpenter Tim Somers in the design and detail of the interior. 'The interior is a complete one-off, every detail carefully considered, with a lot of craft in the joinery. There are lots of hidden pieces in it, including cupboards and study desks,' he says. The build work, which saw the property substantially altered and modestly extended, was done by local builder Michael O'Leary. It started in November 2022 and finished in May 2024. Craig says it's not an 'ostentation house' — his client didn't want that — but it is 'probably like nothing you have ever seen'. He has a track record of producing unique one-offs. Another recent project included the design of Santhia on Well Road, a courtyard house on an irregular suburban plot by the Well Road roundabout, at the corner of Woodview. The design incorporates two-bedroom pavilions, linked by a glass-walled living area. 'The solid pavilion forms, in lapped cement boards, contrast with the transparent link,' says Craig, who adds that a central courtyard anchors the design and is framed by lush, meticulously crafted gardens. The outdoor fireplace and barbecue area are enclosed on three sides and open to the sky and bay view. On a road stuffed with impressive homes, Santhia still stands out. Craig says any of the homes that he's designed are 'pretty unusual'. He's done a couple in Kinsale, adding a modern white extension to a home on the downhill from Charles Fort to the Bulman pub in Summercove, and is designing another, higher up in Summercove. He says it's much more challenging to plan for one-off housing in Ireland compared to his native Tasmania. 'And they wonder why there's a housing crisis,' he quips. Getting planning for The Forge was a drawn-out process: 'Even though there was an existing house there, it was very tricky. We had to be very careful from every angle, and there were a lot of technicalities with the sewage.' He enjoyed it nonetheless, and for sure, it's a house built to last. Just batten down the hatches and watch it repel whatever the Kerry coast might throw at it.
