TOP TEAMS DUMPED FROM MACAULAY

There will be less silverware to polish in the Tighnabruaich trophy cabinet over the next year, and any talk of a grand slam around Newtonmore can be forgotten.

Last season's top two teams in shinty, and also the 2011 finalists in the Artemis MacAulay Cup, were unceremoniously ousted from this year's competition at the weekend.


At Balmacara - never the easiest place to win - Newtonmore found it tough against a Kinlochshiel side pushing them hard in the premiership. This cup tie was a chance for Shiel to lay down a marker for the league. And they did just that. Keith MacRae fired the home side into the lead a few minutes before half-time. Newtonmore's cause was not helped when Chris Sellar was sent off, and it took until the 73rd minute before Calum Stewart levelled matters for the Badenoch men.

Heading into the final seconds of the game, and towards extra-time, the Kinlochshiel supporters were sent into raptures when John MacRae scored the winning goal.

Winterton Park, Inveraray, is turning into a graveyard for Kyles Athletic's cup dreams. Despite winning last season's Celtic Cup final at the Loch Fyne-side pitch, Kyles have drawn Aray in the last three major cups. Inveraray have won them all. While Kyles were flying high in last season's premier league, Inveraray shook the confidence of the young Cowal side by dumping them out of the 2011 Camanachd Cup.

Last month, Kyles' hopes of retaining the Celtic Cup were ended at the Winterton.
Struggling for their best form this season with a good many players missing on a regular basis, Kyles travelled on Saturday across the loch determined for revenge in the MacAulay.

Inveraray themselves are going through a stodgy spell; goals are hard to come by. But they took the lead through veteran marksman Garry MacPherson after just 20 minutes. Following a remarkably similar pattern to the game at Balmacara described above, Kyles left it until 20 minutes from the end of the match before equalising with a goal by Ewan Campbell.

Then it was Aray's turn to shock their fancied opponents. Chris Crawford grabbed the glory with the winner on 90 minutes. Cue yellow and black elation.

As Shintyfan predicted, Kingussie didn't enjoy an easy ride at Spean Bridge against first division opponents.

Yet again, goals from Ronald Ross proved the difference. A good Lochaber side found themselves two goals ahead within 20 minutes, before an unfortunate own goal offered hope to the Badenoch team - then Ronaldo fired home his customary hat-trick. In the end it was 6-4 to the premiership visitors, but this was a close-run thing and Lochaber can feel disappointed not to get something from this game.

With Fort William coming from behind to overcome high-flying Lovat - in their own back yard - by four goals to three, dare we suggest that Fort and Kingussie are the strongest sides left?

On league form, Kinlochshiel will be strong contenders, though they lack experience. Bute are never far away, but lack strength in depth and are struggling for goals. Inveraray have won the MacAulay in recent years and have experience by the bucketload - but this has come with age, and that could be their downfall. Glenurquhart are a good eager side plying their trade in the top tier, so will be no pushovers.

In this grand old competition, anything is possible. With shocks a-plenty already, It's shaping up to be a great tournament.