Oban Camanachd have now reached all three major cup finals this season after two late goals secured a 2-0 win over Lovat in their Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup semi-final.
It was a day of mixed emotions at An Aird, Fort William, for Oban’s Ross Macmillan, who joined the club from Inveraray during the season.
He scored the all-important opener following Daniel Cameron’s free-hit on 87 minutes, but a booking late in the match triggers a four-match suspension – ruling him out of next month’s Camanachd Cup final against Kingussie in Inverness.
Malcolm Clark turned the second by on-rushing Lovat keeper Stuart MacDonald deep into stoppage time, with Daniel Cameron again the provider.
Oban Camanachd manager Gareth Evans said: “I think we deserved to go through.
“We saw two of the best goalies in shinty on show today. Everyone knows about their keeper Stuart MacDonald, but I thought Cammy Sutherland kept us in it at stages in the game, making some fantastic saves.
“Our centre line of Daniel Cameron, Daniel MacCuish and Blair McFarlane were outstanding.
“I have plenty options with big games coming up.
“We have a fit side with almost everyone now available, and the boys know they must train hard to be in the team.”
Duo arrive late from wedding to help Kinlochshiel deny Kingussie return to top spot
Meanwhile, Kingussie missed the chance to return to the top of the Mowi Premiership when substitute Archie MacRae scored on 89 minutes to earn Kinlochshiel a 1-1 draw at Rearaig.
Kingussie had led since the fourth minute when Ruaridh Anderson blasted the ball home, but the dropped point leaves the Kings a point behind leaders Newtonmore, although they have three games in hand.
Just after the final whistle, Kinlochshiel manager Willie MacRae said: “We were due to take something after our recent run of games against Kingussie.
“Ali Nixon and Duncan Matheson arrived 15 minutes into the game, as they attended team-mate Jonnie MacAskill’s wedding, but when we got them on, we changed things about with WD MacRae and David Falconer joining the attack.
“We dominated the final 20 minutes and pushed Finlay MacRae forward for in the closing minutes, with Mark MacDonald going to full-back – and Finlay was involved in the winning goal.
“15-year-old Kieran Martin came off the bench and showed just what a classy player he is going to be.
“It was a big point, but we know we could have sneaked the win.”
Kingussie gaffer Iain Borthwick added: “Losing the late goal was a bit of a blow, but they deserved it.
“We couldn’t get going in the second half and our defence was under a lot of pressure.
“We’ll take the point. It’s never easy coming here and I’m glad everyone got through it with no injuries, given we have the Macaulay final on Saturday.”
Skye take step to safety with victory at GMA
Skye Camanachd pulled away from the Premiership relegation zone with a 3-0 win at Glasgow Mid Argyll.
William MacKinnon scored the only goal of the first half, with Ross Gordon doubling their lead, before MacKinnon got his second goal, all before the hour.
Skye manager Kenny MacLeod said: “We’re delighted to get what was a convincing win.
“We dominated the whole game, but the scoreline was modest due to some good saves and wasteful finishing.
“Glasgow has never been an easy place for us over the years, so the two points are all that matter.”
Scott Macdonald scored twice in the first half and Robbie Macleod added a third following the restart as an understrength Kyles Athletic went third in a tight top-flight after beating Beauly 3-0.
Kyles player-coach Roddy Macdonald said: “It was a good win in what were tricky conditions, with the rain pouring down for a good spell of the game.
“The boys that came into the side did well and it’s good to keep our run going and to climb further away from the bottom two.”
Glenurquhart extended their lead at the top of the Mowi National Division to two points with a 6-1 derby win at Strathglass.
Doubles from Daniel Maclean and John Barr, and efforts from Ryan Porter and Oliver Black, made up their tally, with Steven Hyslop replying.
Three goals in the final six minutes mean Fort William are second after a 3-0 victory over Inveraray. Graham Campbell and Victor Smith’s brace made the difference.
Col Gen’s meeting with Kilmallie was called off on Saturday morning due to a waterlogged pitch.
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