Inveraray Shinty Club Women's Team

20th November 2005

The Aray girls played their last game of their short season against Kintyre last Sunday, 20th November, at the Winterton. From the instant Duncan Kerr, referee, blew his whistle, both teams fought hard for the ball. Inveraray struck the ball sending it towards the Kintyre goal. It was saved, but hit over the bye line giving Inveraray a corner which Cassie Lindsay took and scored a goal from to put Inveraray in the lead within the first ten minutes of the game. Kintyre did not take this lying down and in a fierce battle for the ball Inveraray's defence and midfield had to work together to get the ball to their forwards and managed to score a further twice to make the half time score 3-0 to Inveraray. A tired, but determined Inveraray side entered the field of play for the second half and Kintyre were determined to make Inveraray pay for their early lead, scoring twice despite the return of keeper Linda Divers after illness. The Aray girls struggled on and pulled together with the substitution of Caroline Duff who ran rings around the Kintyre defence kept the final score 3-2 to Inveraray, making them undefeated in league Division 2. Both teams were grateful for the hospitality shown by sponsors Fernpoint hotel after the match. The Inveraray team will play in Oban Lorne's 6 a side tournament next Sunday, 27th November in Oban.

23rd October 2005

A determined Inveraray side met local rivals Dunadd at Kilmory's pitch on Sunday 23rd October. The Inveraray girls had had to concede to Linlithgow the previous week and were in need of another win to keep them in contention for the Division 2 top spot this year. The two sides battled it out for the first 15 minutes with Inveraray getting most of the play, but Dunadd also taking runs on the Inveraray goal. The Inveraray team worked together to get a goal, scored by Laura Young, with Dunadd replying quickly to score only minutes later. Inveraray fought back though, and Laura gave the 'Aray girls hope, scoring again just five minutes later. She completed her hat trick before half time, with help from Kirsten Parker, playing in her first game. Cassie Lindsay brought the half time score to 4-1 to the Inveraray side. Past meetings of the two local sides have resulted most times with Dunadd taking the honours, but the 'Aray girls were hopeful of bucking this trend and with the sloping pitch in their favour in the second half capitalised on their early lead. As expected Dunadd fought back hard and made several strikes at goal, but with Kerry Griffin and Lindsay Donnan on top form, the ball rarely got into the D. Cassie Lindsay scored a further three goals to give Inveraray a 7-1 victory. Inveraray will play Kintyre in their final match of the season next week, Sunday 30th. at the Winterton. Inveraray Shinty Club are hosting a shinty coach training session at the end of November and would like to invite any adults interested in getting involved with shinty coaching with any age group or team to attend. It is a one day course involving skills training, safety and child protection. You will also need to be checked by Disclosure Scotland before you can begin coaching children. If you would like to take part in the course please contact Lynn Kidd, here, to register your interest.

9th October 2005

Inveraray Women's Shinty Team started their League Division 2 campaign on Sunday 9th October with a home game against Cowal & Bute at the Winterton. The Division 2 League has changed to a 6-a-side format to include and encourage more women's teams to take part, Bute and Cowal being one of them. On a blustery and shower soaked Winterton the 'Aray girls struck out from the first whistle and Eleanor Duff scored within the first two minutes of the game. The second goal came quickly after that from Laura Young after a scramble on the goal line. The Bute & Cowal girls did not take this excellent start for Inveraray lying down and after about fifteen more minutes of play, also scored two goals in succession as the ball slipped past the Inveraray defence, taking the half time score to 2-2. Both teams worked hard in the second half and both had shots a goal and were denied by the keepers. Inveraray gave a last push with ten minutes of the game remaining and substitute Caroline Duff managed to score the winner for the team in her first match. The full time score was 3-2 to Inveraray who will play Linlithgow away next Sunday. The 'Aray girls have also secured a sponsorship deal with the new owners of Fernpoint Hotel who will supply soup and sandwiches for the teams after home matches. Coaches Linda Divers and Lynn Kidd are very pleased to welcome Jean Liddy and Rob Clark, as sponsors, to the team. The hospitality was very well received after the match on Sunday. Training will continue outdoors, weather permitting, on Mondays and Thursdays at the Winterton from 6pm until the end of October when this year's league finishes and the women move training indoors for the winter months. New members are always welcome, please come and try the game.

16th May 2005

Inveraray Women's Shinty Club fielded a team on the Winterton for the first time this season on Sunday, when they faced Glasgow Mid Argyll in the first round of the Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup. The two teams had met last month in a League match which had resulted in a heavy defeat for the 'Aray girls. Determined not to face the same fate on home ground, the Inveraray women took early possession of the ball and made a run at goal, which was unsuccessful, but made the team more determined to give the GMA girls a run for their money. At half time the score was 2-0 to GMA and the 'Aray girls were encouraged by the change to a more defensive line up than previous games. The GMA girls kept up a rapid attack on the Inveraray goal with many shots on target being saved by Linda Divers. The defence remained solid though, and the 'Aray midfield pushed forward with a free hit and took the game to the other keeper. Within 20 minutes of the second half Inveraray had scored twice, Vicky Lindsay and Leanne Anderson the scorers, to even the score and the team were heartened by the possibility of a win.The GMA girls pushed hard and had a few shots at goal and a series of corners which eventually resulted in a third goal in the last five minutes of the match. The final score being 3-2 to GMA. Both teams retired to Fernpoint Hotel, sponsors of Inveraray's women's team, where Steven Thomson praised the efforts of the home team and presented them with runners up medals for last season's League Division 2.

18th April 2004



INVERARAY Women's Shinty team took on St Andrews University on Sunday in Inveraray's first match for nine months. From the first throw up the pace was fast and furious with Inveraray dominating play and gaining the first goal, scored by Vicky Lindsay.

The St Andrews side were quick to reply and after a battle in the Inveraray defence managed to net and even the score. The Inveraray team were determined not to let the St Andrews side capitalise on the even scoreline and dug in hard for the second half. Although the ground was soft and play slowed considerably, the midfield and the forwards in the Inveraray side worked well together to keep play away from their goal and an injured Cassie Lindsay managed to score Inveraray's second goal before retiring from the game.
St Andrews piled on the pressure and Linda Divers, the Inveraray goalkeeper, had to make some saves. The scorelinefinished 2-1 to Inveraray

Both teams retired muddy and tired to Fernpoint Hotel who provide hospitality for the home matches.

To thank Fernpoint for their sponsorship the team have printed Fernpoint on their new strips, which were funded by an Awards for All grant last year.

The photo shows the Inveraray team with their sponsor Steven Thomson.

(download photo in PDF for printing 552kb) .

23rd February 2004 Inveraray's women's team have stepped up their pre season training. For the next few weeks they will train indoors on Thursday evenings at Inveraray Primary School using the adult First Shinty pack they purchased with help from an Awards for All grant last year. The Club hope to encourage new members and boost the fitness of existing members. Any female over the age of ten is welcome to attend the sessions.

The Women's Club have used their grant to purchase helmets, First Shinty sticks, balls, cones, bibs, water bottles, a first aid kit, portable shinty goals and a new strip which should arrive in time for the first game of the season. They have also paid for a fitness trainer and encouraged new members through 'Come and Try' sessions.

Three of the team took part in the first round of trials to find a Scottish Women's team to play against an Irish Camogie later in the year. Cassie Lindsay, Leanne Anderson and Kerry Griffin all braved the icy winds at Ballachulish last Sunday to take part in the four hour training session which kicks off their training regime. There will be a lot of hard work and effort involved in preparing to take on the Irish on their home ground in their centenary year, but we are sure all the squad will do well.

Sunday 25th May 2003 - Inveraray women's shinty team played their last league match this season on a damp, but sunny Winterton. Things did not bode well for the home side as Tir Conaill Harps scored within the first five minutes of the start of the match and had several other shots at goal, but the Inveraray girls were not going to make it three losses in a row. The midfield rallied and dominated much of the rest of the first half keeping the ball well away from the Inveraray defence. Inveraray equalled the score before half time and raised the spirits of the whole team.

Tir Conaill came back stronger after the whistle blew for the beginning of the second period and had some excellent shots at goal, but Cassie Lindsay moved from defence into midfield and worked the rest of the team into a frenzy as she stuck the ball and it sailed high into the air and the back of the net. The Inveraray team worked hard to keep the ball away from their own net and finished the game 2-1 up denying Tir Conaill the top spot in Division 2.
The team started the year with a win and finished it with a win. Both teams enjoyed the hospitality of Fern Point Hotel after the match.

Inveraray finishes third in League Division 2, much better than last season's bottom spot. They are hosting a friendly match against a revived Oban Lorn on Friday 6th June at the Winterton and have fund raising plans for the summer starting with a midsumer disco in Inveraray Community Hall.

Sunday 11th May 2003 - Edinburgh University made it two in a row when a depleted Inveraray women's team travelled through to the east coast to play their second last game of the season. The disciplined Edinburgh side dominated the first half, using a strong wind to help take the ball from one end of the pitch to the other and having many shots at goal, but only managing to net 4 times. The young Inveraray side were looking forward to the same wind advantage in the second half, but the wind dropped to a gentle breeze, so the team had to work hard to keep the ball away from the net. The forwards were unable to capitalise on the few long balls that reached the Edinburgh D and Edinburgh managed to score a further 5 goals making the final score 9-0. Cassie Lindsay of Inveraray was chosen as player of the match. Edinburgh will play Dunadd next Sunday and Inveraray will play Tir Conaill Harps at the Winterton in a fortnight.

Sunday 4th May 2003 - Inveraray Women's Shinty team met Edinburgh University's team for the first time this season on a driech Sunday at the Winterton. The physically larger, stronger and fitter Edinburgh side dominated much of the game making the Inveraray defence work hard. A single goal was scored by the Edinburgh side in the first half. The Inveraray ladies took the game to Edinburgh in the first part of the second half and a free hit taken by Nicola Dando rebounded off Eleanor Duff and the Edinburgh keeper before entering the net evening the scoreline. The Edinburgh side came back more forceful netting three more times. The Inveraray side made good use of the ball and tried hard to get the ball over the line, but as last season the ball refused to go near the net despite all the team's determination. The game finished 4-1 to Edinburgh.
The player of the match, chosen by referee Duncan Kerr, was Nicola Dando of Inveraray. Both teams enjoyed soup and sandwiches after the game provided by sponsors Fern Point Hotel, Inveraray.
Thank you also to all the people who turned out in the pouring rain to support the team.