League restructuring back on the agenda
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THE future of the proposed league restructuring for next year looks to be doubt after it emerged over the weekend that Newtonmore have filed a motion to be debated at next month’s annual general meeting of the Camanachd Association.
It is understood that it will challenge the ruling body’s intention to reduce the Premiership from 10 teams to eight for season 2014.
Newtonmore’s motion, which was delivered to the ruling body on Friday, seeks to retain the current 10-team Premiership and if successful could lead to the collapse of a proposed revamp that also included plans to introduce a second national league.
It is thought that the majority of the Premiership clubs will support Newtonmore’s proposition, although it remains to be seen whether it will carry the support of the requisite number of clubs across all the divisions.
On the pitch, Newtonmore got the defence of their Orion Premiership title off to a winning start with a 3-2 victory over a flu-hit Glenurquhart side, who had four first-team regulars sidelined.
A late surge by the Glen had new Newtonmore manager Paul John MacKintosh lamenting a lapse in concentration by his side as they struck twice in the final 10 minutes.
There was no doubting ‘More’s victory was well deserved and before Fraser MacKintosh put them two ahead in the 79th minute, they had already struck the woodwork twice and seen the Glen’s international keeper Stuart MacKintosh make several excellent saves.
But a last ditch reshuffle by Glen managers Drew MacNeil and Fraser MacKenzie saw Lewis MacLennan moved from defence to attack and within minutes the ploy had the desired effect with MacLennan blasting home from a set piece move.
Glenurquhart continued to look dangerous, but were caught out when Newtonmore substitute John MacKenzie hammered home in the 83rd minute to restore his side’s two-goal advantage.
Ewen Brady, on his return to the Glen set-up, scored with two minutes remaining — again from a free-hit move — leaving Newtonmore to cling on in a game they should have had wrapped up much earlier.
Meanwhile, the area’s other Premiership side Lovat were held to a goal-less draw by newly-promoted Lochaber at Spean Bridge.
In a fairly even match, both sides had chances to score, but defences held sway throughout. Lovat were indebted to goalkeeper Stuart MacDonald who made a stunning save to deny Shaun Nicholson from the spot after MacDonald himself had been penalised illegal footwork in the box.
There was no scoring debut for Lovat’s close season signing Kevin Bartlett, who had a quiet debut. In a competitive match, referee Colin MacDonald issued eight yellow cards.
Later in the evening at the club’s awards ceremony, Greg Matheson won the player of the year prize for 2012, while Stuart MacDonald topped the poll in the supporters player of the year category. Danny Kelly was presented with the under-14 award.
Kyles Athletic, runners-up in the last two Premier Division campaigns, despatched new boys Oban Camanachd with a 3-1 win at Tighnabruaich.
First half goals from Dunkie Kerr, Roddy Macdonald and Ewen Campbell set up the victory, although a late Scott MacMillan strike was a consolation for Gus Campbell’s side.
Also in Argyll, Inveraray edged out Fort William 1-0 with a 63rd minute Garry MacPherson goal proving decisive, while at The Dell, Kinlochshiel twice let the lead slip before going down 4-2 against Kingussie.
Former Strathglass favourite Lee Bain did the damage with a late double after the scores were deadlocked at 2-2 going into the final quarter.
In North Division One, three of the four Inverness area sides lost their opening matches with only Caberfeidh taking maximum points.
Perhaps the shock of the day was at Cannich where Caberfeidh ripped up the script to inflict a 2-1 defeat on Strathglass. Both sides were understrength, but this will be a disappointing start to Calum Duff’s stint as Strath manager.
Beauly were also shock losers as they were trounced 4 -1 by recently relegated Kilmallie, who had Michael Rodger in scoring form.
Inverness went down 6-1 to Skye in Portree with Danny Morrison hitting a hat-trick for the islanders. The scoreline was perhaps harsh on Allan MacLeod’s side, who were without James Cameron and Conor Golabek.
In the lower leagues, there were winning starts for both Lovat and Beauly in North Division Two, but Glenurquhart were beaten 5-0 at home by Newtonmore.
In North Division Three, Boleskine trounced Lewis 5-0. Inverness’ second team, however, were the day’s top scorers with an 8-0 thumping of a young Strathglass side.
IN a national first shinty tournament played on Saturday, local teams took the honours with Dingwall beating Glenurquhart 3-0 in the final of the primary seven competition, while Beauly lifted the primary five prize.
