Monsoon conditions across the country wiped out the entire shinty schedule on Saturday October 7.
South shinty
Mowi Premiership
Oban Camanachd P Beauly P
Levels of rainfall unseen for many years led to the postponement of the 1pm throw-up between Oban Camanachd and Beauly at Mossfield.
This was to be Oban Camanachd’s final home game but despite the best efforts of groundsman Iain Hay, this was one battle he couldn’t win, and he had no choice but to call the game off on Saturday morning.
Oban Camanachd manager Gareth Evans said: “I’ve never seen Mossfield under water like that. The rain was non-stop and with water running down onto the field, the match had no chance.
“We are already down to one training session each week and neither ourselves nor Beauly want to extend the season unnecessarily so we are looking into whether we can get the game played on Saturday October 21. We’ll have Daniel Sloss, Daniel MacCuish and Blair McFarlane on international duty for Scotland, but I was always keen to give others a chance, for example, Ross Campbell would have been involved last Saturday following his hat-trick for Lochside the week before.”
This will be Beauly’s final game of the season. They will be without Euan MacCormick and Sandy Elrick who both picked up one-game suspensions and a yellow card in Beauly’s previous outing against Kingussie. Ryan MacKay will also sit this one out after collecting a two-game ban.
This has been a particularly sad time for everyone at Beauly following the sad passing of shinty referee and former Beauly player Martin MacLean, youth coach and avid supporter Kirsteen MacLennan and former player, official and club chieftain Donnie Fraser.
Oban Camanachd are back in action this Saturday against Kyles Athletic at Tighnabruaich. Gareth Evans said: “We wouldn’t have had Daniel Sloss against Beauly as he was working so we will hopefully have him back. Scott MacMillan is on holiday though and Louie McFarlane is still out with a broken collar-bone.
“It’s an Argyll derby and we always get a hot reception down there. We’ll have to be strong as Kyles have been playing very well for a number of weeks now as their league position shows.
“I hope the game goes ahead but if the rain at Tighnabruaich is anything like here, it will take some drying out.”
Glasgow Mid Argyll P Lovat P
Glasgow also suffered from heavy rainfall leading to the postponement of the match between Glasgow Mid Argyll (GMA) and Lovat at Peterson Park.
GMA duo Finlay MacMillan and Jamie Macleod would have missed the game through injury so they both have another week to recover ahead of Saturday’s visit from Kingussie.
With Lovat travelling to Rèaraig to play Kinlochshiel this Saturday, and GMA boss Alan MacRae, Lovat keeper Scott MacDonald and defender Danny Kelly on international duty with Scotland a week later, it now looks as if the clash between GMA and Lovat will take place on Saturday October 28.
Mowi South Division 1
Bute P Glasgow Mid Argyll P
The Bute first team’s 3pm throw-up with the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team at the Meadows was postponed on Friday afternoon because of an unplayable field.
Mowi South Division 2
Bute w/o v Aberdour
The Bute juniors were awarded the points when the Aberdour juniors were unable to field a team for their noon throw-up at the Meadows.
Aberdour were deducted a point.
Youth shinty
Camanachd Association Cup – quarter final
Oban Celtic primaries 3 Fort William primaries 2
The Oban Celtic primaries team beat Fort William primaries 3-2 in their Camanachd Association Cup quarter final tie at the Oban High School pitch on Friday October 6.
Both teams were understrength because of the school holidays.
Fort William took an early lead with a well-worked goal before Arthur Handley levelled for Celtic with a great strike into the top corner of the net. Half-time 1-1.
Fort William regained the lead early in the second half and Celtic suffered a further blow when they were forced into a reshuffle after captain Billy Russell succumbed to a thigh strain. The youngster left the field for a short time but, with no substitutes, he returned to soldier on in the full forward position.
Oban Celtic levelled for a second time when the outstanding Arthur Handley popped up with another unstoppable shot from distance. It was a great strike and it needed to be against an excellent Fort William keeper and resolute visiting defence.
With both sides putting on a great display, it was everything to play for and Celtic’s Carrie Mackay, who worked tirelessly after the reshuffle, made the difference as she struck a crisp shot across the keeper and into the far side of net to make it 3-2 and send her team into the semi-finals. Their opponents are still to be confirmed.
Kilmallie await in the final.
Duncan MacEwan was the match referee.
Oban win Great Glen Sixes
Oban High School won the Great Glen Schools’ Shinty Sixes held at Blairbeg, Drumnadrochit, on Tuesday October 3.
The tournament opened with a round robin format with Oban high, Kingussie high and Glenurquhart High School A and B teams winning through to the semi-finals.
Kingussie went on to defeat Glenurquhart B 3-0 in their semi final, with Oban overcoming Glenurquhart A 2-0 to set up an a final between Oban and Kingussie.
Hosts Glenurquhart A and B battled it out in the third place play-off with the A team winning thanks to a Daniel Maclean strike.
The grand final was an end-to-end affair, however, it was Oban who took the lead through the impressive Scott Campbell. George Pagan sealed victory when he found the net to make it 2-0.
The Oban win was all the more impressive as a red card in the semi-finals meant Matthew Sloss was unable to play in the final.
Oban captain Duncan Hunt, who plays for Oban Celtic’s first team, stepped forward to receive the trophy from the sponsors.
There was further cheer for Oban when Scott Campbell, who came off the bench for Oban Camanachd against Bute in this year’s Artemis Macaulay Cup first round, was named player of the tournament.
Oban coach Stephen Campbell was delighted with how his team played. There was some real quality in the side with defenders Finlay Cameron and Alexander MacDonald catching the eye.
Event organiser Allan MacLeod said: “On behalf of Glenurquhart High School, I thank our event sponsor, Highland Industrial Supplies, for its continued support and to Glenurquhart Shinty Club and Strathglass Shinty Club for their assistance on the day.”
Tough test lies ahead for Scots
Ireland has named a strong squad for the shinty/hurling international against Scotland in Newry on Saturday October 21.
Ireland usually include three top tier players in their squad, although they didn’t include any in 2019 because of other commitments. This year’s panel, however, features six elite level players with places for Padraig Walsh, a two-time All-Ireland winner with Kilkenny, Cork pair Ger Millerick and Rob Downey, Tom Monaghan from Galway and Clare’s Peter Duggan and David Fitzgerald.
Ireland manager Damien Coleman from Galway has also put together a strong backroom team of Kieran Kingston, Cork; Terence ‘Sambo’ McNaughton, Antrim; and Michael Kavanagh, Kilkenny.
Damien said: “We are delighted with our progress. We have a strong panel assembled for the international with representation from 14 counties. It’s vital that we, as an association maintain our traditions, and this event affords hurlers from all tiers the opportunity to play together. The players are all looking forward, as are all our management team, to welcoming the Scotland team to Páirc Esler.”
Scotland boss Garry Reid said: “The strength of the Irish squad reflects the power of its coaching team who all come from significant counties. But a strong Irish squad is exactly what we’ve always wanted in this fixture, whether it is top tier players or the best from their second tier.
“They have experience too as Enda Rowland has proved to be a top goalie in these games, whilst skipper Neil McManus from Antrim is a veteran of the cross-code clashes.”
Ireland panel from: Niall Arthur, Monaghan; Mickey Joe Egan, Roscommon; David Fitzgerald, Clare; Peter Duggan, Clare; Andrew Gilsenan-Kavanagh, Wicklow; Cillian Kiely, Offaly; Eoghan Cahill, Offaly; Fionan Mackessy, Kerry; Luca McCusker, Fermanagh; Neil McManus, Antrim, captain; Chris Nolan, Carlow; Ryan Mullaney, Laois; Stephen Maher, Laois; Paddy Purcell, Laois; Enda Rowland, Laois; Caolan Taggart, Down; Padraig Walsh, Kilkenny; Ger Millerick, Cork; Rob Downey, Cork, and Tom Monaghan, Galway.
Throw-in is at 2.45pm. Scotland supporters unable to make the trip an watch the match live on the official TG4 YouTube channel.
2023 Mòd Cup
The Aviemore Trophy – Mòd Cup – will be contested between Glasgow University and Strachur/Dunoon at the King George V Playing Fields, Renfrew, on Saturday October 14.
Throw-up is at 2pm and Craig Scott is the match referee.
Earlier in the day, Alba play Glaschu for the Learn Gaelic Trophy – Women’s Mòd Cup.
Craig Scott is again the referee and throw-up is at noon.
North shinty
Monsoon conditions across the country wiped out the entire shinty schedule on Saturday October 7.
Mowi Premiership
Kingussie P Newtonmore P
The fifth Badenoch derby of the season between Kingussie and Newtonmore, the division’s top two teams, at the Dell was the final fixture of the day to fall.
Kingussie manager Iain Borthwick said: “Puddles started forming on the pitch on Saturday morning and it just got worse after that.”
The postponement gives Scotland call-up James Falconer another week to recover from injury. Iain added: “James coped well at training this week and would have played some part in the game against Newtonmore, but he now has a bit longer to recover before we play next.”
Saturday November 4 is likely to be the re-scheduled derby date.
Oban Camanachd P Beauly P
Levels of rainfall unseen for many years led to the postponement of the 1pm throw-up between Oban Camanachd and Beauly at Mossfield.
This was to be Oban Camanachd’s final home game but despite the best efforts of groundsman Iain Hay, this was one battle he couldn’t win, and he had no choice but to call the game off on Saturday morning.
Oban Camanachd manager Gareth Evans said: “I’ve never seen Mossfield under water like that. The rain was non-stop and with water running down onto the field, the match had no chance.
“We are already down to one training session each week and neither ourselves nor Beauly want to extend the season unnecessarily so we are looking into whether we can get the game played on Saturday October 21. We’ll have Daniel Sloss, Daniel MacCuish and Blair McFarlane on international duty for Scotland, but I was always keen to give others a chance, for example, Ross Campbell would have been involved last Saturday following his hat-trick for Lochside the week before.”
This will be Beauly’s final game of the season. They will be without Euan MacCormick and Sandy Elrick, who both picked up one-game suspensions, and a yellow card in Beauly’s previous outing against Kingussie means Ryan MacKay will also sit this one out after collecting a two-game ban.
This has been a particularly sad time for everyone at Beauly following the sad passing of shinty referee and former Beauly player Martin MacLean, youth coach and avid supporter Kirsteen MacLennan and former player, official and club chieftain Donnie Fraser.
Oban Camanachd complete their season this Saturday against Kyles Athletic at Tighnabruaich. Gareth Evans said: “We wouldn’t have had Daniel Sloss against Beauly as he was working so we will hopefully have him back. Scott MacMillan is on holiday and Louie McFarlane is still out with a broken collar-bone.
“It’s an Argyll derby and we always get a hot reception down there. We will have to be strong as Kyles have been playing well for weeks as their league position shows.
“I hope the game goes ahead but if the rain at Tighnabruaich is anything like here, it will take some drying out.”
Caberfeidh P Kinlochshiel P
Caberfeidh’s final match of the season against Kinlochshiel will now be played on Saturday November 4 as the Castle Lead pitch failed a Saturday morning inspection.
Caberfeidh boss Garry Reid said: “There’s no way the game could have gone ahead and with Kinlochshiel’s other fixtures, it looks like we won’t now complete our season until early November, which is frustrating.
“The only plus is that we would have been without several players last Saturday as they had previously booked holidays thinking the season would be over and we’ll now have them back.”
Kinlochshiel boss Willie MacRae added: “It’s a shame the game was called off as I had planned to give youngster Kieran Martin a start at wing back, whilst young Arron Jack would have started too.
“We are still training outside twice a week and we’ll keep that going until the end of the season.”
Glasgow Mid Argyll P Lovat P
Glasgow also suffered from a heavy rainfall leading to the postponement of the match between Glasgow Mid Argyll (GMA) and Lovat at Peterson Park.
GMA’s Finlay MacMillan and Jamie Macleod would have missed the game through injury so they both have another week to recover ahead of Saturday’s visit from Kingussie.
With Lovat travelling to Rèaraig to play Kinlochshiel this Saturday and GMA boss Alan MacRae, Lovat keeper Scott MacDonald and defender Danny Kelly on international duty with Scotland a week later, it now looks as if the clash between GMA and Lovat will take place on Saturday October 28.
Mowi North Division 1
Newtonmore P Glenurquhart P
The Newtonmore seconds and the Glenurquhart seconds were to meet at the Dr Johnny Cattenach pitch as the Eilan is undergoing maintenance work ahead of the new season.
However, heavy rain meant the pitch failed an inspection.
The fixture has been rescheduled for the day of the shinty/hurling international on Saturday October 21. The Newtonmore seconds will be presented with the Mowi North Division 1 trophy after the match.
The Glenurquhart seconds travel to play Fort William at An Aird on Saturday.
Beauly P Skye Camanachd P
The Beauly second team’s clash with the Skye Camanachd second team at Braeview Park was rained off.
The match is another currently re-scheduled for the day of the shinty/hurling international on Saturday October 21.
The Skye seconds meet Kinlochshiel seconds at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree, on Saturday.
Mowi North Division 2
Lochaber P v Strathglass P
The Lochaber second team’s match with the Strathglass second team was called off on Saturday morning as the pitch at Spean Bridge was deemed unplayable.
The fixture, the final match of the season in this league, has been re-scheduled for this Saturday.
Women’s Camanachd Association
Mowi National Division
Skye Camanachd P Ardnamurchan P
Skye Camanachd A and Ardnamurchan A were to play the final Mowi National Division match of the season at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree, on Saturday October 7.
However, this 11.30am throw-up was called off the previous day following a bereavement.
Mowi North Division 2
Glenurquhart P Skye Camanachd P
The match between Glenurquhart and Skye Camanachd B at Blairbeg on Saturday October 7 was postponed.
Strathspey P Kinlochshiel P
The clash between Strathspey and Kinlochshiel at Strathspey Grammar School on Sunday October 8 was postponed.
Youth shinty
Kingussie Under 12s 2 Kilmallie Under 12s 2
Kilmallie won on penalties
Kilmallie Primary School won through to the Camanachd Association Cup final, twice coming from behind before beating Kingussie Primary School on penalties in their semi-final at the Market Stance on Monday October 2.
Kingussie took the lead in this 5pm throw-up through Reid Paterson but Kilmallie levelled almost immediately through Chase Watson. It remained 1-1 until the break.
Marcus Mackenzie put Kingussie back in front, only for Chase Watson to level for a second time.
With no further scoring after extra-time, referee Dallas Young took the tie to a penalty shoot-out.
The teams couldn’t be separated after the first round of five penalties but, on the third round of ‘sudden death’, Kilmallie came out on top to reach the final.
Youth shinty
Camanachd Association Cup – quarter final
Oban Celtic primaries 3 Fort William primaries 2
The Oban Celtic primaries team beat Fort William primaries 3-2 in their Camanachd Association Cup quarter final tie at the Oban High School pitch on Friday October 6.
Both teams were understrength because of the school holidays.
Fort William took an early lead with a well-worked goal before Arthur Handley levelled for Celtic with a great strike into the top corner of the net. Half-time 1-1.
Fort William regained the lead early in the second half and Celtic suffered a further blow when they were forced into a reshuffle after captain Billy Russell succumbed to a thigh strain. The youngster left the field for a short time but, with no substitutes, he returned to soldier on in the full forward position.
Oban Celtic levelled for a second time when the outstanding Arthur Handley popped up with another unstoppable shot from distance. It was a great strike and it needed to be against an excellent Fort William keeper and resolute visiting defence.
With both sides putting on a great display, it was everything to play for and Celtic’s Carrie Mackay, who worked tirelessly after the reshuffle, made the difference as she struck a crisp shot across the keeper and into the far side of net to make it 3-2 and send her team into the semi-finals. Their opponents are still to be confirmed.
Kilmallie await in the final.
Skye start manager search
Skye Camanachd first team manager Kenny MacLeod will step down at the end of the season.
Kenny has informed his players that the team’s last match of the season against Kingussie at the Dell at the end of the month will be his final game in charge.
Kenny MacLeod took charge of the Skye Camanachd second team ahead of the 2017 shinty season and led the side for two years before stepping up to take the senior team ahead of the 2019 season, initially co-managing with Allan MacLeod.
He took over in his own right in 2021, going on to take Skye to Ferguson Transport & Shipping Balliemore Cup success that season and the Mowi National Division title a year later which ensured promotion to shinty’s top-flight.
Under his stewardship, Skye confirmed their place in the Mowi Premiership for next season following the recent win over Oban Camanachd.
Reflecting on his decision, Kenny MacLeod said: “It was a tough call, but seven years is enough. I’ve accomplished what I set out to achieve with Skye again in the Premiership next season.
“They are a great bunch of players to work with, so this is a fantastic opportunity for someone to take this group and kick on with some new ideas.”
Tough test lies ahead for Scots
Ireland has named a strong squad for the shinty/hurling international against Scotland in Newry on Saturday October 21.
Ireland usually include three top tier players in their squad, although they didn’t include any in 2019 because of other commitments. This year’s panel, however, features six elite level players with places for Padraig Walsh, a two-time All-Ireland winner with Kilkenny, Cork pair Ger Millerick and Rob Downey, Tom Monaghan from Galway and Clare’s Peter Duggan and David Fitzgerald.
Ireland manager Damien Coleman from Galway has also put together a strong backroom team of Kieran Kingston, Cork; Terence ‘Sambo’ McNaughton, Antrim; and Michael Kavanagh, Kilkenny.
Damien said: “We are delighted with our progress. We have a strong panel assembled for the international with representation from 14 counties. It’s vital that we, as an association maintain our traditions, and this event affords hurlers from all tiers the opportunity to play together. The players are all looking forward, as are all our management team, to welcoming the Scotland team to Páirc Esler.”
Scotland boss Garry Reid said: “The strength of the Irish squad reflects the power of its coaching team who all come from significant counties. But a strong Irish squad is exactly what we’ve always wanted in this fixture, whether it is top tier players or the best from their second tier.
“They have experience too as Enda Rowland has proved to be a top goalie in these games, whilst skipper Neil McManus from Antrim is a veteran of the cross-code clashes.”
Ireland panel from: Niall Arthur, Monaghan; Mickey Joe Egan, Roscommon; David Fitzgerald, Clare; Peter Duggan, Clare; Andrew Gilsenan-Kavanagh, Wicklow; Cillian Kiely, Offaly; Eoghan Cahill, Offaly; Fionan Mackessy, Kerry; Luca McCusker, Fermanagh; Neil McManus, Antrim, captain; Chris Nolan, Carlow; Ryan Mullaney, Laois; Stephen Maher, Laois; Paddy Purcell, Laois; Enda Rowland, Laois; Caolan Taggart, Down; Padraig Walsh, Kilkenny; Ger Millerick, Cork; Rob Downey, Cork, and Tom Monaghan, Galway.
Throw-in is at 2.45pm. Scotland supporters unable to make the trip an watch the match live on the official TG4 YouTube channel.