Glen through to MacTavish Cup final
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GLENURQUHART goalkeeper Stuart MacKintosh experienced one of the most amazing 120 minutes of his shinty career as he played a pivotal role in the Glen’s penalty shootout win over Newtonmore in the semi-final of the RBS MacTavish Cup.
MacKintosh’s day of drama began to unfold as the match went into the time added on period at the end of the second half with the score line deadlocked at 1-1.
As the Glen mounted one final attack, Newtonmore conceded a penalty and amidst almost unbearable tension MacKintosh stepped forward, but to the dismay of the home support his attempt was saved by ‘More goalkeeper Michael Ritchie.
Despair turned to elation, but then back to despair just as quickly, Neale Reid sweeping home the rebound only to be flagged for offside.
But that drama was topped at the end of extra-time during a nerve shredding penalty shootout.
After five penalties, the scores remained level and then ‘More’s Norman Campbell watched in anguish his spot hit was saved by MacKintosh.
As the Glen support held their breath, MacKintosh then placed the ball on the spot and took a short step back before lashing the ball beyond Ritchie. He was immediately engulfed by delirious team-mates as two hours of nail biting tension ended in one unforgettable moment.
The match itself was a real ding-dong semi-final where both sides refused to give an inch.
‘More were first to strike with Calum Stewart on target in the 63rd minute, but with time running out, Dave Smart levelled for the Glen in the 80th minute to spark one of the most thrilling finale’s ever witnessed at Blairbeg Park.
Glenurquhart, beaten on penalties in last year’s final, must wait to find out who they will meet in next month’s final after the other semi between Kinlochshiel and Lovat was abandoned due to an unplayable pitch with just 20 minutes played and the match still scoreless.
Luckless ‘Shiel will now pay the penalty as their susceptible Kirkton pitch will not stage the re-arranged semi with the Camanachd Association dictating that the match should be transferred to Lovat’s. That match will go ahead at Balgate on Saturday.
Two other matches were abandoned on the rain lashed west coast, including Caberfeidh’s National Division match at Kilmallie, which succumbed after an hour with Kilmallie holding on to a 1-0 lead at that point.
In the south, Kyles Athletic and Inveraray are through to the final of the AJG Parcels Celtic Society Cup. Their passage to the final was far from serene, however, with Glasgow Mid Argyll and Oban Camanachd both proving dogged opponents in a repeat of the 2013 semi-finals.
Inveraray scored twice in as many minutes through Neil Campbell, but Iain MacMillan struck just before the interval to set up a tense second half, but Inveraray held on to take their place in the final as they chase their 11th Celtic success since 2000.
Kyles were also fast out of the blocks at Yoker and within 30 minutes had built a 3-0 lead with Roberto Zavaroni hitting a double and Thom Whyte also on target. Mid Argyll dug in after that to restrict the cup holders, but their fate was already sealed.
In the only match in the Orion Premiership, Kingussie cruised to a 5-0 win over basement club Lochaber. Doubles from Lee Bain and Fraser Munro, and a strike by Savio Genini, sealed the points that lifts the Kings into third in the table, just a point behind Lovat and Newtonmore at the top.
There was plenty of drama elsewhere with Inverness falling at the semi-final stage of the RBS Plate competition, losing 3-1 to Skye at Portree. It was brave performance by the Highland capital side, who were considerably short of their strongest line-up.
The match got off to a poor start from an Inverness perspective when Skye teenager Will Cowie forced his side ahead with just four minutes on the clock.
Martin Davidson levelled for them city club eight minutes later, but Skye continued to have the lion’s share of possession and Jonathan MacLennan restored their lead in the 25th minute.
With rain falling incessantly, conditions began to deteriorate and with the match finely balanced, Cowie converted an 80th minute penalty to send the islanders into the final where they will meet Fort William.
Beauly’s match survived the monsoon conditions as they beat Glenorchy 5-0 at Dalmally in Marine Harvest National Division. Jack MacDonald fired home a hat-trick with the win hoisting Beauly into second place in the table.
Beauly, however, are out of the Strathdearn Cup after a 2-1 defeat at Kilmallie, despite taking the lead courtesy of a strike form veteran Steve MacKenzie.
Glenurquhart are looking strong in the Sutherland Cup and they marched into the last 16 courtesy of a 6-0 win over Col Glen with Jack Hosie and Rhuairdh Cameron both hitting doubles.
