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Press and Journal
2 days ago
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Shinty: Newtonmore seal Camanachd Cup final place against Kingussie
Newtonmore and Kingussie will meet in a Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup final for the first time since 2011 after 'More beat Oban Camanachd 4-1 in their semi-final tie at An Aird. Newtonmore opened against the wind and could hardly have got off to a better start, slicing through the Oban defence before Matthew Sloss scored against his former team after just 16 seconds. Daniel MacVicar levelled from the penalty spot and although Newtonmore's Steven Macdonald saw his spot-hit well-saved by Cammy Sutherland, they went on to win it through Iain Robinson's second half brace and another from Matthew Sloss. Manager Peter Ross said: 'I'm delighted for our supporters. 'They follow us in huge numbers, and I thought we let them down in the Macaulay semi against Kingussie so this was for them. 'I was critical of our defence after that game, but they were terrific today. 'Matthew Sloss and Iain Robinson too and it was a boost to have Joe Coyle available as Ross County were playing on Friday night. 'Struan Ross came on for Craig Ritchie and his passing and tackling were very good. 'I was proud of our discipline, and I knew at half-time, with the wind in our favour in the second half, that we'd win it.' Dan MacDonald scored twice but Skye had to settle for a point in a 2-2 derby draw with Kinlochshiel in the Mowi Premiership. With 'Shiel keeper Josh Grant grabbing a late opportunity to attend an Oasis concert in Edinburgh, and second team goalie Calum Macmillan playing for the second team in a Sutherland Cup semi-final, Scott Kennedy came out of retirement to help the side. Skye keeper Ryan Morrison saved John MacRae's penalty before Dan MacDonald put the Islanders ahead just before half-time. Keith MacRae levelled with a bullet-shot before Zander MacRae put 'Shiel ahead. Dan MacDonald's second made it 2-2. Skye manager Kenny MacLeod said: 'I think a draw was a fair reflection as both teams could make strong arguments as to why they should have won. 'We showed character to get back into it at 2-1 down and we weren't far away from getting a winner.' Kinlochshiel boss Willie MacRae added: 'It was a good battle, and we made lots of chances. John MacRae almost won it following a good passing move at the end. 'We thought we'd have to field Finlay MacRae as an emergency keeper but he's carrying an injury, so it was good when Scott Kennedy got in touch on Friday to say he'd play. 'He did very well and had no chance with the Skye goals.' Kyles Athletic pulled two points clear from the Mowi Premiership relegation zone after beating Lovat 5-0 at Tighnabruaich. Roddy Macdonald's quick-fire double came late in the first half and Scott Macdonald's effort was followed by Ethan Kerr's brace. It was a celebration day for Lochaber as their 8-1 win over Strathglass, coupled with results elsewhere, means they are Mowi National Division champions, making an immediate return to shinty's topflight. Ben Delaney bagged four goals with Duncan MacKinnon and Stuart Callison adding doubles. Colin Birnie countered. Lochaber manager Ally Ferguson said: 'It's what we've been aiming for. 'We were so disappointed with how our season went last year, but this group of players now has the chance to step back up and they now know what's required but first, we must enjoy the here and now.' Inveraray beat promotion hopefuls Glasgow Mid Argyll 4-2. Ruaraidh Graham (junior) and Fraser Watt both bagged doubles for the hosts whilst Ross Brown replied twice. Bute blew the race for the second promotion place wide open when they came from behind to beat Col Glen 2-1. The hosts led through Neily Mcnaughton on the hour, but Scott Harvey and Rory McDonald gave the Islanders victory. Second placed Bute are ahead of Col Glen on goal difference and GMA are two points behind but have two games in hand.
Press and Journal
2 days ago
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Shinty: Premiership title rivals go head-to-head
It's the most thrilling title race in years as Oban Camanachd, Fort William, Newtonmore and Kingussie slug it out for the Mowi Premiership title. The Oban side lead the Fort by a point but both have played a game more than Newtonmore and Kingussie. 'More are two points off the top with Kingussie a further point adrift and they meet in their game in hand at The Dell. Kingussie boss Iain Borthwick said: 'We know what to expect and our last win over them will be forgotten as we'll see a different Newtonmore. 'Cammie Bremner completes his suspension and will be missed as he played very well against them last time. 'Thomas Borthwick took a blow to the knee against Oban Camanachd and we're monitoring him. Everyone else is good to go.' Newtonmore manager Peter Ross added: 'We've a clean bill of health. 'We have to take Joe Coyle's availability week-by-week depending on his Ross County commitments, so we won't know about him until late on. 'Both teams know each other and may the best team win.' Skye can strengthen their grip on fifth place at Beauly. James Morrison returns for Skye, but top scorer Dan MacDonald serves a one-game ban. John Gillies and Archie Millar face late fitness tests. Injury has ruled out Beauly's Euan Maccormick over recent weeks. Kinlochshiel welcome Kyles Athletic. 'Shiel manager Willie MacRae said: 'Keeper Josh Grant as well as youngsters Kieran Martin and Jay MacRae return but WD MacRae's still missing and Finlay MacRae's now out for the season.' Kyles boss Grant Profit added: 'We've the same squad as last week minus Andy King who should return for the trip to Skye the following week.' Caberfeidh host Lovat on Friday evening and manager Garry Reid said: 'We're only missing Gavin McLaughlin from the squad that travelled to Kyles, and we'll add Callum MacKinnon and Ben MacDonald. 'It's a big game as the league has split into two halves, and we find ourselves at the wrong end of that split alongside some very decent teams. 'We need to dig in and find a couple of results.' Lovat boss Iain Nicolson added: 'Martin Mainland's still struggling with an injury and is doubtful, but we'll have a couple of the more experienced players back. 'If we've any chance of beating relegation, we have to win and then take something from the remaining three games. That won't be an easy task given the opposition.' Throw up is at 6.45pm. Oban Camanachd have suffered a double blow ahead of next weekend's Artemis Macaulay Cup final against Kingussie. Ross Macmillan and Andy Macdonald both picked up bookings in their Camanachd Cup defeat to Newtonmore, taking them over the disciplinary points threshold. Macmillan has received a four-game ban whilst Macdonald has copped a two-match suspension. In their penultimate Mowi National Division game, promotion hopefuls Col Glen visit Inveraray in the knowledge that fellow contenders Glasgow Mid Argyll came a cropper at the same venue last weekend. Strathglass seek their first point when Kilmallie visit. The Skye and Fort William colts meet in the Strathdearn Cup final at Balgate whilst in the South equivalent, Glasgow Mid Argyll face Lochside Rovers in the Bullough Cup final at Strachurmore. The WCA Mowi Premier League is nearing a nail-biting finale. Kirsty Deans scored five as leaders Badenoch overcame Skye 11-2. Zoe Reid grabbed a hat-trick and Megan Ralph, Mairi Stewart and Grace Fraser the others. Skye's Sarah Yoxon countered twice. Second-place Lochaber won 7-0 at Inverness. Leah Maxtone bagged four with Eva MacDonald, Mairi Duncan and Rebecca Mason also netting. Badenoch hold a four-point advantage, but Lochaber have a game in hand. Badenoch host Lochaber in their remaining match, but should Lochaber win both their remaining games, including Glenurquhart's visit on Sunday, they'll force a title play-off.
Press and Journal
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Shinty: Cup finals to be set - as Premier Division leaders Kingussie welcome back star man for meeting with National Division table-toppers
The first finalists of the shinty season will soon be known as the north and south cup competitions reach the semi-final stage this weekend. It is one defender in and one defender out for holders Kingussie ahead of their WM Donald MacTavish Cup semi against Lochaber. Their 2023 national player of the year Robert Mabon returns, but Rory MacKeachan faces a spell on the sidelines. Manager Iain Borthwick explained: 'Robert flies into the country today (Friday), but Rory's out with hamstring problems again and could be missing for a good few weeks. 'Ruaridh Anderson completed a 40km cycle this week and said his ankle's good, whilst Lee Bain trained and should be in the squad. 'Lochaber are deadly upfront, scoring lots of goals, and we won't take them lightly.' While Kingussie are top of the Mowi Premiership and clear favourites, Lochaber lead the Mowi National Division. Lochaber boss Ally Ferguson said: 'Kingussie's track record speaks for itself, and they were the team the other clubs wished to avoid. 'However, we've prepared well, and the game will be played on the amazing surface at The Dell, which our lads will relish. 'There's no doubt we'll need to be at our very best to progress to the final.' Lovat and Fort William contest the other MacTavish Cup semi. The former side were last in the final in 2014, when they lifted the trophy, while Fort were beaten finalists last year, last lifting the trophy in 2007. Lovat boss Iain Nicolson said: 'I targeted this cup when I came in at the start of the season as it's been a while since we've had success in this competition. 'It's a massive opportunity, especially with home advantage, but we'll have to be at our best against a Fort team in great form and full of confidence.' Lovat rested forward Greg Matheson last week, but he returns for this one. Fort William co-manager Alan Knox added: 'This has potential to be a cracker. 'We have Calum Shepherd back in the squad and Cam Stephen has trained, so we'll see how he is. 'Craig MacDonald is still out, but everyone else is fit. 'We had a good result last Saturday so hopefully we can kick on and reach another final.' Scottish Sea Farms Glasgow Celtic Society Challenge Cup holders Oban Camanachd entertain Glasgow Mid Argyll. 'Oban assistant manager Iain MacMillan said: 'This will be tough as GMA are well-coached and are Premiership quality, so we'll have to be prepared both mentally and physically for a battle. 'We won't rush Louie MacFarlane or Daniel MacCuish back, but Craig Macmillan's free after suspension.' GMA manager Alan MacRae said: 'Oban Camanachd are a well-established Premiership side, so pose a real challenge. 'We're still without Craig Anderson and we lost Cammie McCue on Saturday with possible ligament damage. 'Rory MacDiarmid misses out due to work commitments.' Kyles Athletic welcome Inveraray as they search for a first Celtic Society success since 2021. Manager Grant Profit said: 'We're excited about this game. 'Ross Macrae remains out and Roddy Macdonald's unavailable, but keeper Iain MacFarlane returns, as does Scott Macdonald. We're raring to go.' Kinlochshiel and Newtonmore can close the gap on the Mowi Premiership's leading pack when they meet at Rearaig. Shiel's Finlay MacRae and More's Drew MacDonald both didn't play last weekend and face fitness tests. Caberfeidh manager Garry Reid was unhappy with his team's performance against Fort William last weekend, so will be looking for improvement against Beauly, who have defender Angus Renwick free of suspension. Glenurquhart host Bute in the Mowi National Division. There was late drama as Mowi WCA Premier League leaders Badenoch won 2-1 at Skye. Skye's Holly Maclean cancelled out Hope Borthwick's opener with just a couple of minutes remaining, but there was still time for Megan Ralph's late winner. Lochaber leapfrog Skye into second place as Leah Maxtone's double and Elaine Wink earned a 3-0 win at Inverness.
