Ireland won the Mowi Quaich and Bute are Mowi South Division 1 champions with a 100 per cent record following the shinty action on Saturday October 21.
Mowi Shinty/Hurling International – Mowi Quaich
Ireland 0-22 (22)
Scotland 2-8 (14)
Ireland lifted the Mowi Quaich with a 22-14 win over Scotland in their 2.45pm throw-in at Pairc Esler, Newry, on Saturday.
Ireland manager Damien Coleman from Galway selected a strong squad with eight Liam MacCarthy Cup players, including Padraig Walsh, a two-time All-Ireland winner with Kilkenny and twice a GAA-GPA All-Star. He made two changes to his original squad as Andrew Gilsenan-Kavanagh, Wicklow, and Caolan Taggart, Down, were replaced by Ben Conneely, Offaly, and James Toher, Meath.
Scotland manager Garry Reid gave starting debuts to Daniel Sloss and Daniel MacCuish of Oban Camanachd; Danny Kelly, Lovat; Ruaridh Anderson, Kingussie, and Iain Robinson, Newtonmore.
Kyles Athletic’s Roddy Macdonald captained the side whilst Kinlochshiel’s Finlay MacRae was capped for a remarkable 20th time.
Pairc Esler was also to host the Down Junior Hurling final, but it was postponed due to heavy rain in the days ahead of the game and the groundsmen worked hard to ensure the pitch was in good condition for the cross-codes game.
Steven Macdonald sent the first dead ball of the game just the wrong side of the post but, within a couple of minutes, Antrim’s Neil McManus flicked and volleyed a free over the bar from the Irish left to set what was to be the theme of the afternoon.
Kevin Bartlett dropped a free from distance into the Irish goal area but the hosts, with Padraig Walsh already imposing himself, defended well.
Steven Macdonald tried his luck once more from almost the same position, but the ball went well wide of target.
Ireland doubled their lead when Galway’s Thomas Monaghan gathered a stray ball from Andrew King and made space by juggling the ball between two defenders before sending it over the bar.
Scotland pulled a point back when Roddy Macdonald was impeded and, from wide on the left but a bit closer than before, Kevin Barlett drove the ball between the posts.
Ireland went back in the hunt for more points and Neil McManus converted a free from distance on the right after Kerry’s Fionan Mackessy had been fouled. Thomas Monaghan took a quick swipe from wide on the left to make it 4-1 with 12 minutes played.
Scotland weren’t as clinical as their opponents though and Steven Macdonald sent a 65 wide before Craig Morrison got away from Cork’s Robert Downey and tried to play Iain Robinson in, but the Newtonmore man was crowded out.
Steven Macdonald found Craig Morrison with a good ball, but he shot just wide of target. Iain Robinson had a half chance but didn’t catch hold of the ball as he would have liked.
When Finlay MacRae played a long ball forward, Iain Robinson got away from Fionan Mackessy and Craig Morrison took the ball on the left before Iain Robinson stole ahead of the defence and came within a whisker of scoring.
Scotland were growing in confidence and were enjoying their best period of the first half. Ruaridh Anderson’s effort from the left was saved and Iain Robinson and Roddy Macdonald couldn’t get a shot away but Kevin Bartlett held back and drove low into net from outside the box, to keeper Enda Rowland’s right, to make it 4-4 with just under 20 minutes played.
Ireland went back on the attack and Robert Mabon’s challenge prevented Clare’s Peter Duggun from shooting. Mabon was penalised for his efforts though and Duggan hit the frame of the goal with the resultant free when he should have done better.
Ger Millerick added a point from wide of the left to put the hosts back in front and they had keeper Rowlands to thank when he dealt with Steven Macdonald’s ball from distance which dropped on his goal.
Chris Nolan passed up a good chance when the ball fell for him in front of goal but it was turned behind for a 65 which Neil McManus sent over to make it 6-4.
Cork’s Ger Millerick added a point from the middle of the park on the right before nice skill from Peter Duggan saw him keep a Chris Nolan ball away from two defenders and he fired over to make it 8-4.
Scotland introduced defenders John Gillies and Duncan Matheson for their debuts.
There was a moment of controversy when Ireland’s Ryan Mullaney lost his stick in midfield but still shielded the ball and he was fortunate Ruaridh Anderson didn’t swing for possession. Steven Macdonald questioned referee Thomas Gleeson who bizarrely allowed play to continue.
Kevin Bartlett looked sure to convert a free from just left of centre, but the ball came off the post to compound Scotland’s bad luck.
A combination of keeper Stuart MacDonald and defender Robert Mabon did well to stop Neil McManus finding the net following a high ball from midfield.
Offaly’s Eoghan Cahill was quickly onto a stray pass and he juggled the ball before sending it over on 34 minutes before Kevin Bartlett’s free from the right made it 9-5 after Craig Morrison had been fouled.
Oban Camanachd’s Blair McFarlane was on now and his long ball forward sent Craig Morrison racing forward. Morrison’s cutback found Iain Robinson, whose drive was deflected over the bar by keeper Enda Rowland to cut the deficit to three points.
Scotland created the last chance of the half on 38 minutes when John Gillies won possession and found Craig Morrison, but he couldn’t pick out Iain Robinson and it remained 9-6 at the break.
Scotland now had Craig Ritchie on and Steven Macdonald’s took a free from wide on the right, into the sun, but keeper Enda Rowland cleared the danger.
Blair Morrison then drifted the ball just wide with a free from the left.
There were gasps around the stadium when Peter Duggan took the ball down and turned away from two defenders before heading for goal but a brilliant diving save to his left from Stuart MacDonald turned the ball away for a 65 which Neil McManus converted with unerring accuracy.
Steven Macdonald found Craig Morrison, who made space, but he shot just wide of the far post from the left before Kevin Bartlett pulled a point back from a free from the left after James Falconer had been fouled.
The Scotland goal survived a scare when a dangerous ball forward from Offaly’s Cillian Kiely was cleared at the expense of a 65 which Neil McManus ruthlessly converted to make it 11-7.
Steven Macdonald’s free was knocked down by Kevin Bartlett to Scott Macdonald and the Kyles man sent the ball just over for a debut point with his effort just inches away from going into the net.
The Irish points kept coming though. Neil McManus sent a free from wide on the right over before James Falconer saw his strike well saved. A melee in the goal area followed as tempers flared with Roddy Macdonald unfortunate to be the only player identified for a booking.
Keeper Stuart MacDonald stretched high to keep out a Stephen Maher effort from the left after he was set up by Neil McManus.
Neil McManus was increasingly influential and he converted another free just before the hour after Blair McFarlane had been harshly penalised. Kevin Bartlett’s free from the left was turned by the post by the keeper but Steven Macdonald put the 65 over to make it 13-9.
It was game-on when Blair Morrison’s ball forward was gathered by James Falconer whose shot was blocked but Ruaridh Anderson kept his composure as he sent the rebound high into the net on his left side to make it 13-12 on 62 minutes.
It was end-to-end as Stephen Maher got away from Andrew King and put the ball over to add a point, but Scotland responded as Steven Macdonald’s 65 into the sun made it 14-13.
Stephen Maher’s attempt under pressure forced Stuart MacDonald to stretch to tip the ball away and it was cleared for a corner by Duncan Matheson, but Neil McManus was exact with the 65 as Ireland got their noses further in front again.
When Luca McClusker played a long ball forward, Stuart MacDonald did well to halt a run from Peter Duggan, who cut in from the right, and Finlay MacRae got the ball away but an Andrew King infringement gave Eoghan Cahill the change to make it 16-13 with just 10 minutes to go.
Eoghan Cahill went on to enjoy a purple patch as his huge hit from distance counted after another soft free award before Steven Macdonald pulled a point back from a free to make it 17-14 with seven minutes left.
Eoghan Cahill exchanged passes with Paddy Purcel before sending the ball over the bar following a dead ball wide on the left and the clock was against Scotland. It got worse when Neil McManus delivered a dead ball over from wide on the right to make it 19-14.
Andrew King won possession before sending Ruaridh Anderson into the danger area where Enda Rowland saved from Roddy Macdonald with the ball then cleared out of play. Steven Macdonald struck wide following the resultant dead ball from distance on the left. Ireland’s Chris Nowlan made space but shot wide.
Scotland needed a goal and Craig Morrison’s dead ball from the right dropped wide of the front post after Padraig Walsh sent the ball out of play. At the other end, Peter Duggan hit the ball off the ground from wide on the right after Blair Morrison had cleared out of the Scotland defence and it was now 20-14.
Steven Macdonald found Craig Morrison again but shinty’s top scorer saw his effort hit the post on 80 minutes.
Neil McManus added two more points in stoppage time, one from the right of midfield and the other from distance to make the final score 22-14.
Had the change of rules, reducing the score from a dead ball from two points to one point, not occurred, Ireland would have won 23-20 although the Scots would have led by a couple of points going into the closing stages which could have been significant.
Ireland’s impressive captain Neil McManus hardly wasted a ball the whole game, helping himself to 11 points, and he was presented with the Mowi Quaich by Ulster GAA secretary Brian McAvoy.
Newtonmore’s Steven Macdonald was chosen as Scotland’s top performer.
Scotland manager Garry Reid said: “I’m disappointed with the final scoreline as I thought we were right in it until the closing stages, but you have to take your chances in these games.
“Ireland were deadly and the inclusion of so many top tier players meant they had the quality to punish any mistakes we made. That brought the fixture to life and, in a way, their quality actually makes defeat a little easier to take.
“It can be soul destroying for our defenders to see balls from distance sail over their heads and between the posts when they can do nothing about it.
“It’s small margins, too, as I thought the referee gave them a couple of soft frees which they took advantage of, but it was only late in the game that they pulled away when our heads dropped a bit.”
The Scots scored the game’s only two goals and Garry felt the Scots could have had more, adding: “We were wasteful in front of goals at times and lacked a bit of composure. There were positives though. Blair Morrison was outstanding and Finlay MacRae, winning his 20th cap, was a steady influence throughout. Stuart MacDonald’s save from Peter Duggan had to be seen to be believed.
“We blooded 11 new caps and they all coped well. John Gillies and Duncan Matheson did very well when they came on, but it is tough for them as this is a really physical test but all the new caps will be better for the experience.
“We must always remember to play our game because it is frantic out there and you can easily get caught up in it all.
“I think today leaves the international in a good place. I’d really like to see Ireland take an equally strong squad to Scotland next year as it would add to the occasion.”
Scotland skipper Roddy Macdonald looked back on an exciting 80 minutes saying: “I thought we battled well and, on another day, we probably should have scored more goals. Fair play to Ireland though as they brought a strong side and were certainly up for it.”
This was the first shinty/hurling international for four years and it hopefully sets the template for the years ahead.
An early agreement on next year’s fixture would be beneficial to both countries, as would the return of the under-21 clash, as more selection and preparation time are what’s needed to take the international to the next level.
Mowi North Division 1
Newtonmore 3 Glenurquhart 1
Champions Newtonmore seconds completed their season with a 3-1 win over the Glenurquhart seconds at the Dr Johnnie Cattenach pitch.
Newtonmore led through Tristan Ross on 16 minutes and that proved to be the only goal of the first half.
Euan Dingwall added a second on 51 minutes and when referee Steven MacLachlan awarded Newtonmore a penalty on 86 minutes, Glen MacKintosh stepped up to score from the spot. John Cameron’s goal a minute from time proved to be no more than consolation for Glenurquhart.
After the final whistle, the North Division 1 trophy was presented to Newtonmore captain Ritchie Irvine by Camanachd Association director John MacRitchie.
Beauly P Skye Camanachd P
The match between the Beauly seconds and the Skye Camanachd seconds was postponed on Saturday morning as Braeview Park was ruled unplayable.
Mowi South Division 1
Bute 8 Glasgow Mid Argyll 0
The Bute first team completed a perfect Mowi South Division 1 season, defeating the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team 8-0 at the Meadows.
This was the final match of the South 1 programme and Bute’s John Wilson got the opener on eight minutes. Rory McDonald doubled the islanders’ lead on 25 minutes and Ryan Craig’s brace on 30 and 44 minutes made it 4-0 at the break.
John Wilson got his second on 65 minutes and Ian McDonald added his name to the scoresheet on 70 minutes. John Wilson took his tally to four goals with efforts on 78 and 82 minutes.
Bute now step up to the Mowi National Division after coming through this season’s 12 league games with a 100 per cent record.
Women’s Camanachd Association
Mowi North Division 2
Strathspey Camanachd 1 Kinlochshiel 11
Mowi North Division 2 champions Kinlochshiel completed their league programme with an 11-1 win against Strathspey Camanachd at Grantown Grammar School on Sunday October 22.
Charlotte Bissett scored the home goal but Kinlochshiel’s Lexie Mackenzie scored seven times for the second successive match with Niamh Morrison and Katie MacRae adding doubles.
Skye Camanachd 3 Strathglass 0
Skye Camanachd B beat Strathglass 3-0 in their noon throw-up at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree, on Saturday October 21.
Leah Macleod, Lilidh Campbell and Donna MacKenzie scored the goals to give Skye their second league win of the season.
All throw-ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report states differently.
This Saturday’s shinty
Mowi Premiership
Oban Camanachd v Beauly
Oban Camanachd play their final home match of the year, and their penultimate fixture of the season, when they face relegated Beauly at Mossfield on Saturday.
Oban Camanachd boss Gareth Evans said: “We certainly look to be in a better place numbers-wise than we would have been against Kyles a couple of weeks ago but obviously Louie McFarlane is still out with a broken collarbone.”
This is Beauly’s final match of their first season in the Mowi Premiership and they are without suspended trio Ryan MacKay, Euan MacCormick and Sandy Elrick.
Kingussie v Skye Camanachd
Kingussie can clinch the Mowi Premiership title for the third successive season if they beat Skye Camanachd at the Dell.
Savio Genini should return for Kingussie whilst Skye’s William MacKinnon is suspended for what is manager Kenny MacLeod’s final match in charge before he steps down.
Kinlochshiel v Kyles Athletic
Kinlochshiel and Kyles Athletic meet at Rèaraig.
Kinlochshiel will continue to give valuable game time to young wing back Kieran Martin ahead of next season, whilst Kyles will hope Scotland trio Roddy Macdonald, Andrew King and Scott Macdonald have all returned from the Emerald Isle injury free.
Glasgow Mid Argyll v Lovat
Glasgow Mid Argyll and Lovat play their re-arranged match at Peterson Park on Saturday.