Shinty: Kingussie make winning start against Inverary as Oban prove too strong for Col Glen

Two returning players helped get Ronald Ross’ management era at Kingussie off to a winning start as the Kings beat Inveraray 5-0 at The Market Stance.

The wintery weather had threatened the game, but it went ahead with difficult underfoot conditions.

Kingussie dominated and James Falconer, back in the fold after taking a year out, scored twice whilst Roddy Young, who missed the end of last season through injury, also bagged a double. Dylan Borthwick scored the other.

Calum McLay made his Kingussie debut after signing from Glasgow Mid Argyll and Zander Michie turned in an impressive performance in the full centre role.

Kingussie manager Ronald Ross was a happy man and reflected on the afternoon’s events: “It was a good team performance, especially considering the difficult underfoot conditions for both sides.

“Inveraray were stuffy opponents, and their goalkeeper Scott MacLachlan made some good saves throughout the game. Our keeper Rory McGregor saved a penalty in the second half.”

Cameron hits hat-trick for Oban

Oban Camanachd were too strong for Col Glen, newly promoted to the Mowi Premiership, winning 10-0 at Mossfield.

Lewis Cameron grabbed a hat-trick, Ross Campbell and Malcolm Clark both scored twice whilst Daniel MacVicar, Ross Macmillan and Connor Howe got the others.

Oban Camanachd assistant manager Iain MacMillan said: “I thought we were a wee bit ahead of Col Glen in terms of fitness and sharpness and the boys really haven’t stopped training since the end of last season.

“We scored six times in the first half, but Col Glen dropped deeper in the second half, and we found them hard to break down until we changed our shape before scoring four more times during the final half-hour.

“Gary McKerracher in defence and Connor Howe, who got a goal and an assist, both got good minutes on their return and although this was a tough game for Col Glen, they will be a match for anyone on their own pitch.”

Dan’s the man for Skye

Skye Camanachd twice came from behind to eventually beat Glasgow Mid Argyll 3-2 at Peterson Park.

Former Aberdour player Logan Adam twice gave the hosts the lead but Ross Gordon and then Jordan Murchison pulled goals back to make it 2-2 before Murchison set up Dan MacDonald to give the Islanders victory.

Skye manager Kenny MacLeod said: “We’d already travelled without four players and then William MacKinnon was ruled out after hurting his shoulder at work whilst James Morrison, who was our only substitute, suffered an overnight sickness bug.

“We had to change everything, and James had to play the final 20 minutes after Ally MacLeod came off with a calf injury.

“It was entertaining and we lost a couple of poor goals from our point of view, but we also scored some great goals and finished strongly, mainly thanks to our fitness levels which were really pleasing. Sam Macphee and Ross Gordon caught the eye.”

With an inch of snow on the Kirkton field and a white-out locally, the friendly between Kinlochshiel and Kilmallie fell to a 6am Saturday morning pitch inspection whilst Newtonmore’s game with Lovat was also postponed.

Shiel ready for tough test

Kinlochshiel were the last team to beat holders Kingussie in the WM Donald MacTavish Cup, winning 3-2 in the 2021 final before the Kings went on to claim the all-north trophy for the next four successive seasons.

The sides meet again following this year’s first round draw with the tie taking place at Rèaraig.

Shiel manager Willie MacRae is up for the challenge, and he said: “You have to beat Kingussie if you want to win the trophy and I’d rather play them at Rèaraig as home advantage is a big thing, and we have quite a good home record against them.”

Elsewhere in the draw, Lochaber face Fort William, Inverness host Caberfeidh, Skye Camanachd welcome Kilmallie and Strathglass are at home to Glenurquhart. There are byes into the quarter-finals for Lovat, Beauly and Newtonmore.

[Source: Press and Journal]