It was a difficult day for shinty club Skye Camanachd on Saturday – with a late call-off followed by an explosive managerial resignation.
It started with an early morning pitch inspection ahead of Skye’s W M Donald MacTavish Cup first round tie against Newtonmore.
The field was declared playable, however, steady rain throughout the morning led to a second inspection when the tie was called off.
Skye will now forfeit home advantage for the rescheduled tie on Saturday 12 April as Newtonmore were en route when the match was called off.
Then, at lunchtime, Skye manager Willie MacDonald intimated he was resigning with immediate effect.
MacDonald – who last season led the side to their highest finish since shinty’s Premier League was introduced in 1996 – has become increasingly frustrated with off-the-pitch politics surrounding the club and his decision was not related to the postponement earlier in the day.
Willie MacDonald said: “It’s been my absolute pleasure to coach Skye Camanachd and I couldn’t have asked any more of the players.
“With any position of responsibility comes a degree of criticism and opinion, and despite having broad shoulders, there’s only so much any one individual can take.
“Hopefully all Skye supporters and members can now get behind the new management and provide them with their unequivocal and full support.”
Assistant manager David Taylor is believed to be willing to help out in the short term – but is not interested in taking on the Skye manager’s role on a permanent basis.
Kingussie and Lovat through to MacTavish Cup quarters after shoot-outs
It took penalty shoot-outs before both holders Kingussie and Lovat reached the MacTavish Cup quarter-final draw, scheduled for Monday.
Gavin McLauchlan put Cabers ahead, but James MacPherson levelled a couple of minutes after. Cabers regained the lead through Craig Morrison, but Marc MacLachlan’s late penalty forced extra-time.
Callum Cruden fired Lovat back in front – only for Kevin Bartlett’s penalty to level things once more.
Marc MacLachlan, Graeme Macmillan and Callum Cruden all converted from the spot as Lovat won 3-2 on penalties, but they also had keeper Ronan Macmillan to thank for three superb saves.
Lovat manager Iain Nicolson said: “I’m absolutely delighted for the boys, especially after a couple of difficult results.
“I thought we were in control after going 3-2 up in extra-time, but Cabers were awarded a very contentious penalty, so had we not won, it would have been a sore one to take.
“Callum Cruden was great all game, rounding things off with the winning penalty, whilst Ronan Macmillan made some fantastic saves. He has a couple of areas to work on but has produced some fine moments.”
Beauly led Kingussie through Louie MacLellan’s early effort, but Savio Genini equalised three minutes into the second half.
Dylan Borthwick put the Kings ahead in extra-time, before Beauly battled back and Colin MacDonald made it 2-2.
Kingussie won 2-0 on penalties, with keeper Rory McGregor scoring before saving three penalties, and Dylan Borthwick converting the other.
Kingussie manager Iain Borthwick said: “We were pretty awful and had a lot of possession without really threatening their keeper.
“I’ve said before that Beauly have been a bit of a bogey team and that was nerve-shredding again.”
Glenurquhart defeated Inverness 3-0 with John Cameron scoring twice, either side of Charlie Macleod’s goal.
Glen boss David Stewart said: “We took a while to get on top of a stuffy Inverness side, but our centre line took control in the second half and we could have scored a few more goals.”
Calum MacDougall scored five times as Kilmallie won 9-2 at Strathglass. Lewis Birrell added two more, while Innes Blackhall and Jay MacLeod got the others. Veteran Donald Fraser countered twice.
The weekend’s only Mowi Premiership fixture between third-placed Oban Camanachd and early league leaders Fort William was postponed.
In the Mowi National Division, the games between Bute and Col Glen and Inveraray and Glasgow Mid Argyll were both postponed due to the number of players being badly affected by a virus which spread following the previous weekend’s fixture between Glasgow Mid Argyll and Col Glen.
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