4 days ago
Lochaber beat Inveraray to lift Ferguson Balliemore Cup
Lochaber won the Ferguson Balliemore Cup for shinty's intermediate championship thanks to a 2-0 triumph over Inveraray in the final at Spean Artemis Macaulay Cup final in Oban on 23 August will match holders Kingussie, 3-0 winners over local rivals Newtonmore in the north semi-final at Beauly, and Oban Camanachd who eliminated Glasgow Mid Argyll 3-1 in the south tie in Premiership relegation concerns increased for Lovat, who lost 2-0 to Kinlochshiel at Rearaig, and Kyles who went down 4-2 to visitors also unbeaten in the National Division and favourites for a Premiership return, went ahead through Martin Johnstone early in the first half. However, the destiny of this trophy, where top tier clubs are excluded, wasn't settled until late on when Ben MacDonald and man of the match Max Campbell secured a repeat of Lochaber's 2023 success.A week on from their 52-game unbeaten run ending, Kingussie wrapped up their Macaulay final place in the first half with a Savio Genini double which bookended a single from Dylan Borthwick. Daniel MacVicar scored for Oban either side of half-time, and Daniel MacCuish made it 3-0 before Scott Craig pulled one back for Mid MacRae and John MacRae grabbed both points for Kinlochshiel in the second Tighnabruich, Ethan Kerr drew first blood for Kyles, but Cabers went 3-1 up by half-time with two from Kevin Bartlett and one from Cameron Grant. Kerr pulled a goal back, before Bartlett completed his hat Beauly already relegated Kyles, who have a game in hand, just avoid the second relegation place on goal difference from Lovat, with the rest now three points clear of danger.
