Skye stalwart Neil MacVicar, out since breaking his jaw in June,has set his sights on a comeback next season as the new National Division champions target survival in the Mowi Premiership.
A goalless draw on a soggy pitch at Inveraray was enough to see Kenny Macleod’s ‘White Tornados’ snatch the trophy by finishing a point ahead of Beauly.
Skye Camanachd Celebrate their return to the Mowi Premiership after a 0 – 0 daw away to Inveraray on 5th Nov 2022 Mowi National Div #shinty pic.twitter.com/1xAOLVCBg0
— Shinty (@camanachd) November 5, 2022
MacLeod said: “Finishing unbeaten and winning the division is a tribute to a fantastic group of players.
“Three of them – skipper Ally Macleod, keeper Murphy Henderson and James Morrison – have played in every game.
“It’s been a long, hard campaign during which we trailed Beauly for so long, but it’s all worthwhile now.
“The lads badly need a break until pre-season training in January.
“Some players such as Jordan Murchison, Will Cowie, John Gillies, James Pringle and Ally Macleod played in our last Premiership campaign, but for two-thirds of the squad it will be a new experience which they richly deserve.”
Eight of the team are 21 or under and MacVicar, who rejoined Skye from Kyles Athletic this season, is keen to help in their top flight return.
Macleod said: “Neil wants to make a contribution and he’s testing helmets to find one which gives him best jawline protection.”
Macleod hinting he will stay on
A delighted Skye Camanachd Manager Kenny Barlow Macleod following their 0 – 0 draw away to Inveraray ShintyClub which confirmed they became 2022 Mowi Scotland National Div Champions #shinty. pic.twitter.com/kCGlaEv5bO
— Shinty (@camanachd) November 5, 2022
The manager deserves great credit for steering his side to the National Division trophy and Balliemore Cup double – and, in good news for Pairc nan Loach fans, indicated he is staying for the Premiership season.
Macleod said: “There’s still a conversation to be had with the club. But the bottom line is that it’s my intention to continue.
“The last twice we went up we were quickly relegated, so we’re determined to make it third time lucky.
“The target has to be a minimum of 10 points to stay up.
“We’ve youth on our side and I don’t feel there’s a big gap between the bottom of the Premiership and the top of the National Division – but we need to find consistency fairly promptly.”
The Winterton Park pitch was a quagmire but Skye are grateful that Inveraray volunteers brushed water off the pitch to ensure the game could be played.
Conditions were against good shinty and home keeper Scott MacLachlan pulled off two terrific stops from Ross Gordon as Skye battled through for the precious point.
Skye Captain Ali “Cloudy” MacLeod receives the Mowi National Division Trophy from John Angus Gillies from Mowi on 5th Nov 2022 #shinty pic.twitter.com/ZSBQ7385nG
— Shinty (@camanachd) November 5, 2022
Double figures for Newtomore colts
Another goalless draw on a soggy pitch was fought out between Lovat and Glasgow Mid Argyll at Balgate.
The point Mid Argyll manager Allan MacRaw claimed against his former club lifted them above Kyles Athletic to seventh spot in the Premiership table – and they visit Kyles this weekend in both clubs’ final fixture.
By contrast, there were plenty of goals at Lochcarron where Newtonmore colts won 10-0 to go two points clear at the top of the North First Division with a game to play and a plus 41 goal difference over Inverness.
Craig Macleod fired four goals while ex-Kilmallie man Craig MacIsaac hit a hat trick, with Brodie Maclean, Martin Hall and Daniel Craven completing the romp.
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