Shinty: Skye edge Fort William to reach Camanachd Cup semi-finals

Despite still seeking their first Mowi Premiership win of the season, Skye Camanachd reached their second national semi-final when they beat Fort William 3-2 in the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup quarter-finals.

Fort William, with Lachie Shaw back in the side, led through Ewen Campbell, but Neil MacVicar levelled.

Ruaraidh MacLeod and John Gillies made it 3-1 for the home side but Victor Smith ensured this fierce contest would remain in the balance until the final whistle.

Match-winner John Gillies said: “We could have scored more goals, but Fort keeper Paul MacKay made several good saves.

“We haven’t been in a Camanachd Cup semi-final since 2017 and Ally MacDonald, Neil MacVicar, Jordan Murchison and I are the only survivors from that game.”

Kingussie once again displayed their never-say-die attitude as they scored twice at the death before beating Kinlochshiel 3-2 after extra-time.

Jay MacRae’s double had the visitors two-up within the first seven minutes and that’s the way it stayed until a dramatic final 10 minutes of regulation time.

Shiel’s John MacRae was sent off on 80 minutes and just a couple of minutes later, defender Zander Michie pulled a goal back.

Kingussie pushed full back Robert Mabon up front and, six minutes into stoppage time, he made it 2-2 to force extra-time.

Kingussie’s Zander Michie was also red-carded but, five minutes from penalties, Dylan Borthwick put Kingussie in front for the first time, and they saw out the closing stages.

Kingussie manager Ronald Ross said: “It was a good old-fashioned cup-tie.

“Fair play to our boys as we showed great character and kept pushing until the end.

“Credit to Kinlochshiel too as they played well and came close to victory. In Jay MacRae, they have one of the best young players around.”

Shiel boss Willie MacRae said: “I can’t fault the boys, they were all tremendous throughout and we were within seconds of making Monday’s draw.”

No problem for More

Holders Newtonmore are safely through after winning 6-0 against Glenurquhart.

Struan Ross and Ian Robinson hit doubles and Brodie MacBean and Matthew Sloss the others.

More manager Peter Ross said: “We scored some good goals and Glen keeper Tommy Ellis was outstanding. We were without Daniel Sloss, Drew MacDonald and Michael Russell.”

Oban Camanachd came from behind to beat Caberfeidh 4-1. Farquhar MacRae gave Cabers an early lead with a strike from distance, but Ross Campbell levelled. Lorne Dickie’s double and Connor Howe made sure of victory.

Oban Camanachd assistant manager Iain MacMillan said: “We took a wee while to get going at the start of both halves and that’s something we’ll need to look at.

“I thought referee Steven MacLachlan was excellent. He was approachable throughout and made good decisions.”

Kyles Athletic moved off the bottom of the Mowi Premiership with a 3-2 derby win over Col Glen, their first league victory of the season.

Two-goal Ethan Kerr and Joe MacVicar had Kyles three-up at the break, but Col Glen fought back through Andrew MacVicar and Scott MacVicar.

Indeed, Col Glen almost snatched a point when the ball broke to Neily Mcnaughton in a central position at the edge of the D. He hit the ball high and hard, but home keeper Iain MacFarlane made a brilliant save with his stick.

Lovat cut Glenurquhart’s lead at the top of the Mowi National Division to two points with a game in hand after winning 7-3 at Glasgow Mid Argyll.

Danny Kelly and Marc MacLachlan both scored twice for Lovat with Lewis Tawse, Graeme Macmillan and Craig Mainland getting the others. Ross Brown netted twice for GMA, either side of Scott Craig’s effort.

Fraser Watt put Inveraray ahead against Kilmallie before Lewis Birrell levelled. Martin Stewart then scored for the fifth successive match to give Kilmallie a 2-1 victory.

Bute pulled away from the relegation zone as doubles from Josh Cowan and Scott Harvey and Regan Craig’s effort earned a 5-0 win at Oban Celtic.

[Source: Press and Journal]