No 'heated debate' at AGM
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DESPITE being boycotted by several of the sport’s leading clubs, the annual general meeting of the Camanachd Association was conducted in a positive atmosphere with little in the way of heated debate about proposed league reorganisation, which had been predicted.
Last week, Newtonmore, Kingussie and Kyles Athletic all showed their support for Skye, who had been refused a motion calling for the new league structure to be set aside with shinty’s ruling body insisting they had the power to introduce the proposals, which will see the Premiership cut to eight teams and a National Division One, also consisting of eight clubs, for next season without a vote by the clubs.
Skye have now submitted papers asking for an emergency general meeting to allow clubs to vote on these proposals. The association are allowed 21 days to respond and although still in this timescale, a statement on the matter and where we go from here is expected shortly.
At Fort William, only some minor changes to the rule book were passed almost unopposed including a change to allow the President to be elected for a second consecutive term, while the schedule for forthcoming AGM’s is changed from April to November.
The ballot to decide home advantage for the forthcoming MacTavish Cup semi-final ties also took place with Glenurquhart and Lovat losing out to Newtonmore and Kilmallie respectively.
"2012 was a good year for shinty with record levels of investment in the sport," said association President Archie Robertson.
"There was an excellent turnout at the AGM and I am also pleased we had the opportunity to discuss the 2014 league structure and address many of the concerns being expressed."
Meanwhile away from the debating chamber, and Lovat’s senior and reserve sides both recorded significant victories.
While the club’s second team saw off rivals Beauly in a last 16 match in the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup, the senior side produced a stunning 6-0 victory over Fort William at An Aird.
Teenage striker Greg Matheson was on scintillating form, hitting four of his side’s tally including a second half hat-trick.
In a closely fought first half, there was little sign of the drama that was to follow with the teams going in at the interval separated only by Matheson’s 32nd minute strike.
Lovat took full advantage of a gathering wind and two goals from Matheson in a two minute burst just five minutes after the restart put them in control.
Goals in quick succession from Lorne MacKay and Kevin Bartlett ended the match as a contest and Matheson put the icing on Lovat’s cake with a strike in the 75th minute.
With Inveraray and Kyles losing ground in the title race, Lovat, who have yet to taste defeat in the league or cup, are emerging as Newtonmore’s most serious challengers.
The reigning champions were in imperious form as they overpowered previously unbeaten Inveraray 4-1 at the Winterton. Youngster Michael Russell fired the Badenoch side in front in the 28th minute and Inveraray were left shell shocked as ‘More struck twice in a minute just after the interval through Cameron Binnie and Danny MacRae.
Chris Sellar made it four eight minutes from time before an own goal from Newtonmore full back Norman Campbell completed the scoring.
Kingussie fought back after trailing to a Roberto Zavaroni double against Kyles to pull off a fine 3-2 triumph.
Fraser Munro reduced the deficit on the stroke of half-time, before Rory Borthwick struck twice in the 50th and 53rd minutes to seal a terrific comeback.
It is as you were at the top of the Marine Harvest North Division One with Kilmallie and Beauly separated only on goal difference after Saturday’s matches.
Beauly enjoyed a high scoring 9-1 win over a weakened Inverness side with Marc MacLachlan hitting five.
Kilmallie did not have matters quite so easy as they were made to battle all the way before pulling away to beat Caberfeidh 5-3 at Canal Parks.
Kilmallie raced to a two0goal lead with Grant Mackenzie and Liam MacDonald on target only for Cabers to hit back through Blair Morrison and Lee Nicol.
MacDonald grabbed his second on the stroke of half-time and Kilmallie enjoyed the bulk of possession in the second half where goals from John Stewart and Mark Graham maintained their unbeaten home record. An Ally MacLennan effort four minutes from time was a deserved consolation for the visitors.
Strathglass were 17 minutes from recording their first league win of the season when they led Skye 3-1 in Portree, but a superb rally from the islanders saw them overturn the deficit to pull off an unlikely 4-3 victory. It was heartbreaking for the Strath, who had built a deserved lead with goals from Robert Geddes, Ally MacAdam and Darren Reid.
In the Sutherland Cup, Lovat knocked out Beauly with a 5-1 win at Braeview, Graeme MacMillan hitting a hat trick.
Elsewhere Glenurquhart crashed out losing 3-1 at Fort William, while there were high scoring wins for Newtonmore, who will now travel to Lovat in the quarter-finals, and Lochaber as they eliminated Kyles and Kilmallie respectively.
Lochcarron won a seven-goal thriller at Inveraray, but holders Kingussie crashed out after losing 3-1 at home to Ballachulish.
