Kyles strike at death to seize cup from More’s grasp

Kyles Athletic ended a 22-year wait to lift Shinty’s Artemis Macaulay Cup 2-1 yesterday, just as if it looked as if the occasion would belong to Newtonmore.

The organisers could have been forgiven for beginning to tie blue and white ribbons on the trophy, with 'More winning 1-0 with only four minutes remaining.

Kyles refused to accept that scenario, however, and found extra energy and reserves to snatch the trophy from their opponents’ grasp; captain Dunky Kerr and Roddy MacDonald scoring in 86 and 90 minutes respectively to secure the silverware.

“There was a bit in the second half when I did feel it maybe wasn’t going to happen for us but, when we got the first goal, I felt there was only going to be one team that would win,” said a delighted MacDonald, who ran a full 20 yards before thumping home the winner at the death.

The victory now makes it two trophies for the Tighnabruaich outfit, with the League Championship also within their grasp.

A glory season is theirs for the taking but they’ll not have to fight harder for any victory. The only previous form between these two clubs was a league draw and there was no one making rash predictions as to who might come out on top.

Indeed, the early play seemed to illustrate the wafer-thin margin between the teams.

Both sides were replete with young players but it was two individuals nearer the senior end of the age spectrum that made their mark in the opening half hour.

Newtonmore were working hard to craft openings, having settled into the final quickest. When they found a sliver of room on the Mossfield surface, they also found Kyles keeper Kenny MacDonald in unflappable form.

MacDonald is at the half-century mark, is known to smoke a cigarette in the warm-up, but is still one of the best in the sport when it comes to instinct and agility.

First he made an excellent block from a Danny MacRae shot. Then, when the ball fell to Cameron Binnie just yards out, he repositioned himself in a flash and saved the rebound as well. It was a telling interception and Kyles rose from that confidence rush.

Finding their way, Grant Irvine and Peter Currie both forced ‘More keeper Michael Ritchie into action. On both occasions, the veteran was a match. First, he managed to deflect Irvine’s shot onto the post. Then he used his body to divert Currie’s effort off the woodwork once more.

It was a tale of two keepers but, just as the spectators were heading towards the refreshment stalls for half-time and the pipers were tuning up, Newtonmore struck.

John MacKenzie had only been on the field a matter of minutes after replacing injured youngster Ackie McRae. However, he was pin-sharp when the Kyles defence pressed self-destruct and fluffed a clearance. With the goal a gaping target, MacKenzie took aim and hammered the ball high into the roof of the net.

It was unstoppable. It was also a crucial time, psychologically, to claim a goal in a cup final.

With the sun streaming across Mossfield, the team returned for the second half and Newtonmore’s experience began to tell.

For long spells, Kyles’ creative fireworks appeared dampened.

From somewhere, though, they found an edge and Kerr, blunted for most of the match, managed to squeeze in a leveler from an angle.

The fans from Tighnabruaich danced a jig and they were euphoric just moments later.

MacDonald chased a long ball and his pace took him beyond the Newtonmore defence. With one swing of his caman, the cup was heading south.