New Year Shinty
There is New Year shinty action to look forward to as Lochaber meet neighbours Fort William to contest the Billy MacLachlan memorial trophy at Spean Bridge on New Year’s Day. Throw up is at 1pm and the match remembers former Lochaber player, Billy MacLachlan who was also a committee member, grade one referee and a match assessor.
Just 24 hours later, on Tuesday 2 January, Lovat and local rivals Beauly contest the first Lovat Cup in 3 years at Balgate. Throw up is also at 1pm.
2023 Shinty Review of the Year – Part 1
January 2023
A large crowd gathered to see Mark Fraser’s strike and a double from Bryan Simpson give Fort William a 3-0 win over Lochaber to take the inaugural Billy MacLachlan Memorial Cup at Spean Bridge on New Year’s Day. The game will take a regular place on the shinty card.
Oban Camanachd manager Gareth Evans outlined what success would look like for his side this season. He said: “We’ll target the Celtic Society and Macaulay Cups. Then, there will be the usual contenders in the Scottish with Kingussie and Kinlochshiel strong again, but we’ll look for a good start and let’s see where the cup draws take us. We’ll still look to make progress in the league though.”
Dougie MacIntyre stays on as Oban Celtic first team manager, once again assisted by Stephen Campbell. They welcome back Peter Currie, who missed the 2022 season, with Lewis Macphee is fit again. However influential player Neil Carmichael retired from first team shinty.
Kingussie appointed Iain Borthwick as their new boss, taking over from Grand Slam winner John Gibson.
Inveraray set out their ambitions in the form of a detailed 5-year plan which stretches through to 2027. Rather than focusing on what the club wants to win on the pitch, the plan brings together a range of aims and objectives centring on off-the-field activities.
Skye Camanachd won the Johnstone Trophy, sponsored by Ailsa Johnstone, at the Nevis Centre, Fort William. This 5-a-side tournament, run by Glengarry, saw Skye beat Badenoch 8-3 in the final and their skipper Rhianna Kirk raised the trophy.
February 2023
Oban Camanachd opened their pre-season with a 2-0 win over Fort William at Mossfield. Daniel MacVicar and Daniel Cameron both scored late in the game. Fort William, now with Neil Robertson and Alan Knox in charge, travelled with a squad of 20 players.
A week later, Oban Celtic lost 1-0 to Lochaber in a close encounter at Mossfield with Ben Delaney notching a late winner.
Neither Newtonmore nor Skye Camanachd could break the deadlock in a 0-0 draw at the Eilan.
Inveraray, under new boss Andy Watt, recorded an impressive 3-0 triumph at Glasgow Mid Argyll with Fraser Watt, Campbell Watt and Allan MacDonald scoring.
Col Glen won 3-1 against the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team with Dan MacDonald, Scott MacVicar and Sandy Paterson netting.
Sam Bulloch scored five times in Strachur-Dunoon’s 6-4 victory over Uddingston at Dunoon Grammar School.
Kilmory defeated Tayforth 2-1, scoring a goal in each half through Bruce Johnston and Euan Gilmour.
In the third round of weather-hit preseason friendlies, Kyles Athletic beat Inveraray 3-1 through Roddy Macdonald, Scott Macdonald and youngster Roan MacVicar.
A number of other friendlies were postponed.
With just a week to go until the start of the new season, Oban Camanachd completed their preseason programme with a 4-0 victory at Kilmallie. The Oban side, with veteran Brian MacCallum in goal, enjoyed doubles from Daniel Cameron and Daniel MacCuish.
Kyles Athletic retained the Drew Ferguson Memorial Cup, defeating Fort William 2-1 with Sorley Thomson scoring twice and Victor Smith countering. Cairn Lambert, playing his first game in goal for Kyles, earned the man of the match award.
Oban Celtic and Glengarry drew 2-2 at Mossfield. Lennon Campbell scored both Celtic goals with Steven Cameron netting twice for Glengarry.
Lovat beat Kinlochshiel 1-0 with Graeme MacMillan scoring.
The Newtonmore second team and Col Glen drew 2-2 at the Eilan. A penalty shoot-out decided the destiny of the Volantee Cup which Col Glen won 4-2.
The Camanachd Association introduced an “in competition” testing programme, using UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) testers to carry out random drug testing during the 2023 shinty season.
March 2023
The new shinty season swung into action with Kyles Athletic beating Glasgow Mid Argyll 5-0. Scott MacDonald and Roddy MacDonald both bagged doubles and Will Cowie notched a debut goal.
Oban Camanachd led Newtonmore through Malcolm Clark, but Iain Robinson’s late penalty made it 1-1 whilst skipper Jordan Fraser gave Kinlochshiel a 1-0 derby win over newly promoted Skye.
Col Glen’s first-ever match in the Mowi National Division ended 1-1 with Oban Celtic. Lennon Campbell put Celtic ahead, but Dan MacDonald levelled.
Graham Campbell scored both Fort William goals as they drew 2-2 with Glenurquhart. Kilmallie won 5-2 at Strathglass, and Stuart Callison and Ben Delaney secured Lochaber’s 2-0 victory at Inveraray.
Kingussie’s quest for a third successive Mowi Premiership title began with a 2-0 victory over Lovat with Roddy Young and James Falconer scoring.
Beauly’s inaugural match in shinty’s top-flight was a memorable 2-1 win over Kinlochshiel as Ross Forbes and Finlay MacLennan cancelled out Keith MacRae’s effort.
Kyles Athletic and Caberfeidh drew 2-2. Innes Macdonald and Scott Macdonald counted for Kyles with Craig Morrison’s brace earning Cabers a point.
Calum MacDougall’s hat-trick helped Kilmallie defeat Inveraray 5-3 to become the early Mowi National Division leaders.
Col Glen’s 2-1 win at Glenurquhart was their first victory in the National. Andrew MacVicar and Dan MacDonald scored before David MacLennan replied.
The wet weather took its toll on the week 3 fixtures but in the matches that went ahead, Craig Morrison scored twice as Caberfeidh stunned champions Kingussie, winning 3-0 at the Dell whilst Craig McIsaac’s late penalty earned Newtonmore a 1-0 win over Kinlochshiel.
In the Mowi National Division, Inveraray beat Strathglass 2-1 with Allan MacDonald and Campbell Watt scoring.
Oban Celtic and Glenurquhart played out a goalless draw at Mossfield.
Oban Camanachd go third in the Mowi Premiership after beating Kyles Athletic 4-0. Daniel MacCuish, two Louie MacFarlane penalties and youngster Matthew Sloss made up their tally.
Holders Kingussie reached the cottages.com MacTavish Cup quarter-finals after winning 2-0 at Caberfeidh. Ruaridh Anderson and Savio Genini got the goals.
Craig Macleod and Craig MacIsaac gave Newtonmore a 2-0 win over Kinlochshiel whilst Martin Stewart and Lewis Birrell had Kilmallie two up at Lovat but Marc MacLachlan’s brace, and Greg Matheson’s effort, gave Lovat a 3-2 victory.
Sam Stubbs scored an extra-time winner as Skye beat Fort William 3-2. Ross Gordon and James Pringle also netted with Victor Smith’s penalty and Jack Fraser replying.
Inveraray and Oban Celtic finished goalless in the Mowi National Division whilst Ben Delaney scored twice as Lochaber beat Col Glen 5-1.
April 2023
Newtonmore top the Mowi Premiership after beating Kyles Athletic 3-0 with Craig MacIsaac, Iain Robinson and Conor Jones all scoring.
Previous leaders Caberfeidh were toppled 4-2 by Oban Camanachd who now go second. Malcolm Clark, Daniel MacVicar, Louie McFarlane’s penalty and Matthew Sloss made the difference.
Marc MacLachlan scored late as Lovat beat Kinlochshiel 1-0 and newly promoted Beauly won again, this time defeating Glasgow Mid Argyll 3-1.
Kilmallie top the Mowi National Division on goal difference after defeating Col Glen 4-1 with Calum MacDougall, Lewis Birrell’s brace and Shane O’Rua counting whilst Cluanie Fraser replied.
Lochaber led Oban Celtic through Iain Fyfe, but Scott Dempster levelled. Late goals from Duncan MacKinnon and Ben Delaney gave Lochaber a 3-1 victory.
Campbell Watt, Ruaraidh Graham and Fraser Watt were on target as Inveraray beat Fort William 3-2.
Newtonmore remain top of the Mowi Premiership despite drawing 1-1 with Lovat.
Kingussie defeated Kinlochshiel 4-2. Roddy Young, James Falconer’s brace and Savio Genini counted for the Kings with David Falconer and Keith MacRae replying.
Jordan Murchison gave Skye a 1-0 win over Glasgow Mid Argyll, collecting their first points of the season.
Michael Rodger scored five as Kilmallie maintained their 100% record in the Mowi National Division with a 10-1 triumph at Oban Celtic.
Inveraray go second as Allan MacDonald and Ross MacMillan secured a 2-0 success at Col Glen.
Glenurquhart inflicted Lochaber’s first league defeat, as John Barr, Chris Mack twice and David MacLennan cancelled out Ben Delaney’s hat-trick in a 4-3 win.
Graham Campbell scored five times as Fort William won 7-2 at Strathglass.
Holders Kingussie reached the cottages.com MacTavish Cup semi-finals, overcoming Lovat 3-0 whilst Newtonmore won 4-1 at Lochaber.
Ruaraidh MacLeod’s hat-trick helped Skye beat Beauly 5-1 whilst Glenurquhart beat Inverness 1-0.
Glasgow Mid Argyll’s defence of the Scottish Sea Farms Glasgow Celtic Society Cup began with a 9-0 quarter-final win over lower league Ardnamurchan. Calum McLay scored five times.
Will Cowie’s double helped Kyles Athletic beat Bute 4-0 whilst Allan MacDonald, Campbell Watt and Fraser Watt all scored as Inveraray defeated Col Glen 3-0.
Oban Camanachd received a walk-over when Oban Celtic forfeited their tie at Mossfield.
Victor Smith grabbed a hat-trick as Fort William were 4-1 derby winners over Kilmallie in the Mowi National Division.
Iain Robinson scored twice as Mowi Premiership leaders Newtonmore won 3-1 at second placed Caberfeidh.
Newly promoted Beauly won 3-1 at Skye with Finlay “Stork” MacLennan scoring twice whilst Jordan Fraser also scored twice in Kinlochshiel’s 4-2 victory at Glasgow Mid Argyll.
Lovat triumphed 2-1 at Kyles Athletic with Greg Matheson and Duncan Davidson on target.
Martin Stewart’s double helped Kilmallie win 3-1 at Strathglass in the opening round of the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup.
Fort William beat Glenurquhart 3-0 with Graham Campbell, Cam Stephen and Calum Shepherd all scoring and Lochaber overcame Inverness 4-2 with Ben Delaney bagging a brace.
Josh Cowan’s late double gave Bute a shock 3-1 win over Inveraray.
Artemis Macaulay Cup holders Kingussie came from two goals down to win 4-2 against Skye in Portree.
Oban Camanachd also progressed, beating Bute 5-0. Louie McFarlane, Daniel Cameron, Malcolm Clark, Matthew Sloss and Daniel Madej all found the net.
Craig MacIsaac’s brace helped Newtonmore win 4-0 against Fort William and
Kinlochshiel came from behind to defeat Caberfeidh 4-1 with Finlay MacRae scoring twice.
It took penalties before Lovat knocked out Beauly following a 1-1 derby draw and Scott Macdonald scored four times as Kyles Athletic overcame Aberdour 6-0.
Allan MacDonald and Zander Kilmurray netted as Inveraray beat Col Glen 2-0.
May 2023
Skye beat Mowi Premiership leaders Newtonmore 2-1 at the Eilan. Iain Robinson’s had ‘More ahead but William MacKinnon and Ruaraidh MacLeod inflicted Newtonmore’s first defeat of the season.
Finlay MacRae grabbed a hat-trick as Kinlochshiel defeated Caberfeidh 7-2.
Kingussie beat Glasgow Mid Argyll 4-0 with Ruaridh Anderson getting a brace.
Malcolm Clark and Daniel MacCuish had Oban Camanachd 2-0 ahead against Lovat, but James MacPherson’s late penalty and Marc MacLachlan’s last-minute goal earned Lovat a 2-2 draw.
Ross MacRae notched a late winner as Kyles Athletic beat Beauly 2-1.
Michael Rodger struck twice and Lewis Birrell the other as Kilmallie defeated Fort William 3-1 in the Ferguson Transport & Shipping Balliemore Cup first round whilst Glenurquhart had a 1-0 win over Glengarry.
Iain McDonald’s brace helped Bute beat Aberdour 4-0 and Findlay MacDonald’s winner meant Lochaber defeated Inverness 2-1.
Holders Kingussie won through to the MacTavish Cup final with a 4-1 derby triumph over Newtonmore. Alexander Michie and James Falconer both hit doubles. Kingussie will meet Skye in the final as the Islanders came from behind to defeat Glenurquhart 3-1. Ruaraidh MacLeod, James Pringle and Jordan Murchison all scored in the second half.
Scottish Sea Farms Glasgow Celtic Society Challenge Cup holders Glasgow Mid Argyll came from 5-2 down to draw 5-5 in their semi-final with Kyles Athletic before winning a penalty shoot-out 1-0.
Malcolm Clark scored twice and Matthew Sloss and Daniel MacVicar the others as Oban Camanachd won 4-0 in their semi against Inveraray.
Findlay MacDonald’s last-minute winner gave Lochaber a 4-3 victory over Fort William the Mowi National Division.
It’s as you were at the top of the Mowi Premiership as leaders Newtonmore beat Beauly 1-0 courtesy of a Struan Ross goal whilst Ruaridh Anderson and Thomas Borthwick earned second placed Kingussie a 2-0 victory at Kyles Athletic.
Oban Camanachd’s Matthew Sloss cancelled out Jordan Fraser’s opener in a 1-1 draw with Kinlochshiel.
James Pringle and Ross Gordon twice had Skye Camanachd ahead against Lovat in Portree, but Greg Matheson levelled both times in a 2-2 draw.
Craig Morrison scored a remarkable seven times as Caberfeidh thumped Glasgow Mid Argyll 9-1.
Kilmallie missed the chance to top the Mowi National Division when they drew 3-3 with Glenurquhart and Lewis Clark’s brace wasn’t enough as goals from Willie MacVicar, Dan MacDonald and Jamie MacVicar earned Col Glen a 3-2 victory at Fort William.
Fraser Watt netted twice as Inveraray beat Strathglass 2-0.
Holders Kingussie beat record winners Newtonmore 4-1 in their Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup second round tie at the Dell.
Craig Morrison’s hat-trick helped Caberfeidh edge out Skye 4-3 and Kilmallie’s Aidan Love cancelled out Keith MacRae’s opener for Kinlochshiel but strikes from Jordan Fraser, Jonnie MacAskill and Ali Nixon gave ‘Shiel a 4-1 triumph.
Goals from Marc MacLachlan, Sam Stubbs and Greg Matheson earned Lovat a 3-0 victory over Fort William. Glasgow Mid Argyll won by the same scoreline as two-goal Calum McLay and Jamie McFadyen’s goal saw off Oban Celtic.
It took extra-time to before Beauly beat Lochaber 3-2.
June 2023
Kingussie drew 2-2 with Mowi Premiership leaders Newtonmore whilst Lovat won their first-ever Premiership derby with Beauly as Calum MacAulay and Duncan Davidson secured a 2-0 victory.
Skye Camanachd beat Caberfeidh 5-1 through doubles from James Pringle, Jordan Murchison and Ruaraidh MacLeod’s strike.
Malcolm Clark, one a penalty, and Daniel MacVicar both scored twice as Oban Camanachd won 5-0 at Glasgow Mid Argyll. Daniel Cameron got the other.
Roddy Macdonald’s double helped send Kyles into the Camanachd Cup quarter-finals with a 4-1 success over Bute.
Kilmallie beat Col Glen 3-1 in the Ferguson Transport & Shipping Balliemore Cup quarter-finals with Stephen McAlister scoring twice whilst Fraser Watt’s double helped Inveraray overcome Glenurquhart 4-2 after extra-time. It also took extra-time before Lochaber defeated Oban Celtic 5-3 with Ben Delaney grabbing a hat-trick.
Skipper James Falconer was the match-winner as Kingussie lifted their fifth successive major honour, beating Skye Camanachd 1-0 in the MacTavish Cup final at the Bught Park.
Oban Camanachd reached the Artemis Macaulay Cup semi-finals after overcoming Inveraray 3-0. Matthew Sloss and Daniel McCuish’s double separated the sides.
Glasgow Mid Argyll also reached the semis, defeating Kyles Athletic 5-3 after extra-time in an epic encounter.
In Mowi South Division 2, Ryder Cup hopeful Robert MacIntyre put the Oban Celtic colts on the road to a 4-0 victory over Strachur-Dunoon.
Newtonmore remain two points clear at the top of the Mowi Premiership after beating Oban Camanachd 3-1. All the goals came in the second half as Steven Macdonald’s penalty and strikes from Iain Robinson and Martin Hall had ‘More three up before Daniel Cameron’s counter.
Thomas Borthwick scored a goal in each half and Eoin Baikie the other as Kingussie beat Beauly 3-0 whilst Donald Nixon earned Kinlochshiel a 1-0 win at Skye.
Will Cowie scored twice as Kyles Athletic were 5-0 victors at Glasgow Mid Argyll.
Mowi National Division leaders Lochaber defeated second placed Kilmallie 3-1. Duncan MacKinnon scored twice and Ben Delaney a penalty before Martin Stewart replied.
Andrew Corrigan grabbed a hat-trick as Glenurquhart beat Inveraray 7-0 whilst Victor Smith also hit a treble as Fort William won 7-1 at Oban Celtic.
Bute reached the Ferguson Transport & Shipping Balliemore Cup semi-finals after beating Strathglass 3-1.
Oban Camanachd won the Scottish Sea Farms Glasgow Celtic Society Challenge Cup for the 21st time, beating holders Glasgow Mid Argyll 2-0 in the final at Peterson Park. Daniel MacVicar put Oban ahead before being later sent off for what was deemed as a dangerous swing. Daniel MacCuish sealed victory in stoppage time. It was a first trophy success for manager Gareth Evans, and he said: “Winning the Celtic Society is a minimum expectation at this club, and I hope it will launch us to national success.”
Kinlochshiel will meet Kingussie in the north Artemis Macaulay Cup semi-finals with Archie MacRae, Ali Nixon, Zander MacRae and Jordan Fraser all scoring as ‘Shiel beat Lovat 4-0. It took penalties for Kingussie to see off Newtonmore following a 2-2 draw.
Mowi National Division promotion hopefuls Glenurquhart and Fort William met, and John Barr’s brace gave the Glen a 2-0 win.
Darren Reid and Penri Jones both scored twice as Strathglass beat Oban Celtic 4-1.
Oban Camanachd under-17 retained the MacQuisten Cup with a 4-0 win over Glasgow Mid Argyll under-17. Kyle MacFarlane and Matthew Sloss both scored twice. Oban youth coach Stephen Sloss: “It had been our intention to take Matthew (Sloss) off earlier to give him a break ahead of the senior final later in the day but the fact he played for an hour shows just how difficult GMA made it for us.”