Mowi Premiership
Kingussie 4 Skye Camanachd 0
Kingussie took the Mowi Premiership title when they beat Skye Camanachd at
the Dell.
Skye’s William MacKinnon was suspended, Jamie Gillies was unavailable and
Ross Nicolson and Charlie Latton called off on Saturday morning through illness meaning the islanders were forced to travel with Archie Millar as their only substitute.
Ruaridh Anderson again proved key for Kingussie when he scored the only goal of
the first half on 14 minutes.
Skye were rarely a threat to the home goal but they kept Kingussie at bay until five
minutes into the second half when Ruaridh Anderson crashed the ball high into the
net. James Falconer got between two Skye defenders on 66 minutes to finish following
Ruaridh Anderson’s corner.
Eoin Baikie added a fourth on 75 minutes, running on to beat keeper Murphy Henderson after his initial effort was blocked.
It was the last match in charge for Skye boss Kenny MacLeod who said: “Our lack of training since our last game four weeks ago was evident from the start. Our sharpness was gone and our stickwork was rusty. We made Kingussie work for their goals though and a couple of them were brilliant finishes.”
Deek Cameron calls it a day
Kingussie’s Mowi Premiership title-winning 4-0 victory over Skye Camanachd
brought the curtain down on Deek Cameron’s 15-year tenure as one of shinty’s outstanding referees.
Speaking straight after the final whistle, the Fort William based whistler said: “I’ve enjoyed nearly every minute of it. I’d like to thank all the teams for showing great respect to me over the years. I’ve had some great moments including Camanachd finals, Macaulay and MacTavish finals.
“I’d like to thank the respective associations who have given me these finals. It was a privilege to do them but I have other plans now.
“I hope the clubs listen to the Referees Association and bring through some fresh
blood to referee games. I hope all the clubs give new referees a chance to learn
the ropes.”
Kinlochshiel 3 Kyles Athletic 3
Kinlochshiel recovered from three goals down to share the points with Kyles Athletic at Rèaraig.
The Kyles centre line took an early grip of the game, forcing Kinlochshiel back, and took the lead on four minutes when Will Cowie found Robbie MacLeod whose flashing shot beat the keeper.
As the game reached the 20-minute mark, Ross Macrae punished the Kinlochshiel defence for not clearing their lines to make it 2-0.
A rare ‘Kinlochshiel attack saw Kyles Athletic keeper John Whyte make a good stop above his head to keep out Keith MacRae’s strike from the left.
Kyles went back on the front-foot and Scott Macdonald finished well with a low strike across the keeper to make it 3-0.
Kinlochshiel looked in trouble, but they launched an attack on the half-hour and
substitute Rhuairaidh MacDonald’s low shot from right of centre deceived keeper
John Whyte and the home side had a lifeline.
And they made the most of it as Ali Nixon fired the ball over the keeper four minutes later. Josh Grant made a good double save to keep it that way and it remained 3-2 until
the break.
Kinlochshiel had the wind at their backs in the second half and got the equaliser with 15 minutes remaining as Keith MacRae trundled the ball by the advancing the keeper.
Kinlochshiel boss Willie MacRae said: “Kyles ran us ragged in the opening spell. They seemed to want it more than us. I would have certainly taken a draw when we were 3-0 down. We fought back though and either team could have stolen it at the end.”
This Saturday, Kinlochshiel travel to Caberfeidh, whilst Lochaber’s second team meet the Strathglass second team at Spean Bridge to complete the Mowi North Division 2 programme.
Scotland fixtures confirmed
The Women’s Camanachd Association has confirmed the Scotland squad’s fixture
schedule for the forthcoming shinty/camogie internationals against Irish opposition.
The Scots will play a West Cork select side at Bandon on Friday November 3. Throw-in is at 7pm. The following day, the travelling Scotland squad take on Carbery Camogie at Clonakilty. Throw-in 3.30pm.
This is the first shinty/camogie international since 2019 when the Scots lost 14-10
in a close encounter with Munster at the WIT Arena in Waterford.
Photograph (August 2022): Derek ‘Deek’ Cameron officiated at the 2022 Camanachd Cup final for a record equalling fourth time. NO_F35_CamanachdCup_DeekCameron