Lewis Camanachd’s season got of to an exciting start with the first ever meeting of a side from Skye and Lewis on the island.The two sides had met previously in a cup match at Portree. But this was the first contest on Lewis .Sgoil Shiabost hosted the teams and the excellent facilities and pitch impressed The Sgitheanaich. This was both teams first outing of the season and the first of a number of pre-season friendlies in preparation for the beginning of the season on March 3rd.
Lewis were missing seven senior players including full centre Scott Murray who was playing for The Scottish Universities against The Irish Universities in the Shinty/Hurling international at Dundee on the same day.Scotland ran out 20-2 winners and Scott scored.Is math a rinn thu! So player manager Paul Duke had to put together a combined senior/youth side for this friendly match. Skye’s second team also had a couple of call offs with both Jordan Murchison and Iain Maclellan unable to play.Skye were managed by second team assistant manager David Grant. First team manager Willie MacRae also made the trip to assess potential first team players in the young Skye squad.
Injured Lewis captain Stuart “Tyson” Campbell refereed the first half and didn’t have long to record a goal as Paul Duke was unluckly to turn the ball into his own net from a Skye corner. The Sgitheanaich had the advantage of the wind at their backs as the Leodhasaich suffered this early setback. Shortly after David Grant added a second then Will Cowie scored his first of the day with a fine shot in the top corner.Paul “Ginger” MacKinnon added a fourth and a unfortunate own gaol by Dougie Shaw after a goal mouth scramble made it 5-0. Lewis however showed their fighting spirit with Ruairidh Urpeth on only his second senior team appearance nipping in on Aonghas “Nui” MacDonald in the Skye goal and scoring. 5-1 at half time and Lewis were seeing their season start with a severe test from the Sgitheanaich.
Lewis captain Stuart “Tyson” Campbell came on for the second half with Skye taking over the refereeing duties.Al Reed at wing back for Lewis had suffered a leg injury and was replaced by Paddy Sinclair who moved from wing centre to wing back. Will Cowie was causing Lewis problems and added his second .The 2011 Camanachd Association Young Player of the Year was undoubtedly man of the match with a skilful and impressive performance.John Angus MacInnes came off the bench to score with a fine drive from outside the 10 yard area. Will Church had been putting together some good moves for Lewis up front and provided Kevin Kennedy with a chance on goal which he took well on his debut for The Leodhasaich. The score was now 7-2.
Lewis gave youth players Ryan McCafferty, Calum Blane, Dudley Johnson and Connor Chalmers a run on in the second half as Skye added three more through John Angus Macinnes,Will Cowie (his hatrick) and David Grant.
The game was played in a sporting spirit with very little sign of foul play and the increasing numbers that are coming to watch shinty at Shawbost were treated to some high quality play. Notable performances from The Leodhasaich came as usual from player/manager ,Paul Duke at half back .Euan Gilmour making only his second appearance in the senior team, in goals, make a number of fine saves. Conor Macdonald came out of goals to play in defence and performed well as did Paddy Sinclair at wing centre and wing back .
Skye’s second team compete in the league above Lewis and friendlies such as these are a great learning experience for The Leodhasaich as they head into their second season in North Division Three.
Next friendly is Lewis Camanachd against Glasgow University
Camanachd Leodhais from:Euan Gilmour,Al Reed,Daniel Gallacher,Conor Macdonald,Paul Duke,Paddy Sinclair,Dougie Shaw,Michael Macleod,Donald Lamont(Capt.),Daniel McFadden, Ruairidh Urpeth,Will Church. Subs Connor Chalmers, Kevin Kennedy, Calum Blane, Dudley Johnson, Ryan McCafferty, Stuart Campbell.
