Record MacTavish Cup winners Newtonmore remain on course in competition
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Record MacTavish Cup winners Newtonmore will host this year’s final, and they made it through to the semi-final stage with a 3-2 victory over Kilmallie at the Canal Parks.
Injury continued to sideline Newtonmore’s Iain Richardson and also ruled out Ritchie Irvine.
Rasmus Cheyne played the full game in defence. The Caol pitch was soft but perfectly playable despite the recent rainfall.
Drew MacDonald gave ‘More the lead on 22 minutes, firing through a ruck of players into the corner of the goal.
Newtonmore scored a good second goal on 37 minutes as Struan Ross found space to take a Drew MacDonald pass before sending a terrific 30-yard strike into the net.
When Drew MacDonald got his second just four minutes into the second half, tucking the ball home when it bounced nicely for him, claiming his fifth goal over the last five matches in the process, Newtonmore had what looked to be a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Kilmallie never let their heads drop though and Shane O’Rua pulled a goal back a couple of minutes short of the hour.
Then substitute Martyn Cameron cut the deficit to a single goal on 88 minutes but the visitors stayed ahead during the closing stages to claim a place in the semi- finals.
Newtonmore co-manager Norman MacArthur said: “It was another 45-minute performance on our part, and I said to Evan (co-manager Evan Cheyne) that I couldn’t see us scoring before Drew popped up with the opener.
“We got ourselves 3-0 ahead but then seemed to panic a bit, especially at the back but we’re into the next round.
“Credit to Kilmallie though. I’m often moaning about the standard of shinty these days, but they are doing the right thing, giving game time to some fine young players.
“They have good stick players, and they are fit, and they’ll get their reward in the future.
The win came at a cost though. Newtonmore are concerned about a foot injury suffered by full back Rory Kennedy, and it’s currently too early to call how long he will be out for, whilst Iain Robinson suffered a hamstring injury.
MacArthur commented: “Rory was hit on the foot just before half-time. He told me that I’d need to keep an eye on him as the second half went on, but Rory is a different breed, and he played the full 90 minutes.
“We’re now waiting to hear if there is any damage.
“Rory is someone we can ill-afford to lose and it’s the same with Iain Robinson, and they are both unlikely to make the Glenurquhart game this weekend.
“Cameron McNiven isn’t available but we’ll hopefully have Iain Richardson and Ritchie Irvine back.”
