Shinty: Kilmallie go 4-0 up in Ballimore Cup final… but dramatic miss sees Lovat denied extra-time after fightback

Kilmallie claimed the Ferguson Transport and Shipping Balliemore Cup for the fifth time after seeing off a spirited Lovat fightback to win 4-3 at Spean Bridge.

A comfortable afternoon looked to be unfolding as Kilmallie raced into a four-goal lead – but Lovat had other ideas as they threatened a remarkable fightback.

Calum MacDougall ran across the D to bag the opener before Shane O’Rua scored on the turn following Lewis Birrell’s corner from the right.

Martin Stewart found MacDougall for his second and Archie MacNiven had Kilmallie 4-0 up following determined play from MacDougall and Martin Stewart.

However, Lovat fought back during the final half-hour as Danny Kelly and then two-goal Craig MacKinnon cut the deficit to 4-3.

The Balgate side had the chance to force extra-time when referee Alec MacVicar awarded them a penalty following a melee inside the D, but Callum Cruden blazed the spot-hit over the bar.

Kilmallie man of the match MacDougall said: “It’s magic. We blew Lovat away in the first half, and although we made a strong start to the second half, we had to grind it out towards the end.”

Skipper Innes Blackhall added: “We came out of the blocks flying, but fair play to Lovat for coming back at us. That last 10 minutes felt like 10 hours!

“We’ve not had silverware for far too long, so this is huge for the club.”

Macaulay Cup final repeat looms

Kingussie and Oban Camanachd will meet in the MKM Oban Macaulay Cup final for the fifth successive season after both secured convincing semi-final victories.

Hat-tricks from Ross Campbell and Lewis Cameron were added to by Lorne Dickie, Connor Howe, Malcolm Clark and Calum MacMillan as Oban Camanachd overcame Kyles Athletic 10-0.

Kyles midfielder Innes Macdonald was sent off 20 minutes from time to compound a disappointing afternoon for Athletic.

Oban Camanachd assistant manager Iain MacMillan said: “We were dominant throughout the game and kept the pace up.

“We have big games coming up and we don’t want to take our foot off the gas in any match.

“The only downside was an injury to Ross Macmillan, which led to the sending off, and Ross will need stitches to a split knee.”

Lee Bain returned from injury to give Kingussie an early lead against Skye before strikes in the final quarter from Thomas Borthwick, Lee Bain again and Toby Thain sealed a 4-0 win.

Newtonmore title charge rolls on

Table-toppers Newtonmore secured a 12th straight Mowi Premiership victory, winning 5-0 at Caberfeidh.

Challengers Kingussie faltered with a goalless draw at the same venue last week, but More were in no mood for a similar slip-up.

Euan Dingwall gave them the lead in the opening minute, playing a one-two with Iain Robinson before scoring following Steven Macdonald’s ball up-field.

Robinson, Arron MacBean and Matthew Sloss added to their tally before the break and Robinson’s second completed the scoring.

More are now seven points ahead of second-placed Kingussie, who have two games in hand.

More manager Peter Ross said: “It was comfortable in the end.

“Daniel Sloss won everything at the back and his brother Matthew impressed everyone with his performance.

“We’ve had some great away performances this season and that was another.”

Fourth-placed Fort William stay ahead of Kinlochshiel on goal difference after coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with their rivals.

Rory Barclay and Archie MacRae had Kinlochshiel two-up before Victor Smith and Ewen Campbell earned the Fort a 2-2 draw.

Fort’s Ewen Campbell was sent off and then shown a second red card in the final minute.

Promotion in sight for Glenurquhart

Glenurquhart’s goal difference is such that they are probably just one more win away from securing promotion to the Mowi Premiership.

The Glen stretched their lead at the top of the table to four points – second-placed Lovat have two games in hand – after winning 5-1 at Glasgow Mid Argyll.

Daniel MacLean’s early double came before former Beauly player Calum Morrison countered. Second half goals from Ali MacLean, Neale Reid and Charlie MacLeod sealed the win.

[Source: Press and Journal]