Cork Scores a "Worldie" at ‘Shiel

At least that’s what Cork himself told the Wing Centre. The Wing Centre of course was not actually at the game. Word to the wise-it’s far easier to write about a game if you weren’t there at all- that way you don’t let the facts get in the way of the prose. How does the Wing Centre know that?  He learned that from the best in the business. If Alasdair Bruce were here, he would tell you himself.

Back in the day, when shinty was a thing in the papers and the Camanachd Cup was a big occasion with genuine doubt about who might win it, Alasdair, the Wing Centre, Dave Calder, Kenny Stephen, Charles Bannerman and Bill MacAllister would sit in the stand and carefully note every move that happened on the field. Halfway through the first half at the Bught, Mossfield ,Old Anniesland or wherever, a gentleman would arrive in the stand. He dressed like a gentleman, spoke like a gentleman, and remained unflustered despite having missed a goodly part of the action. This was Richard Bath now re-incarnated as Editor of the Scottish Field: then he was a freelancer of some merit with the Sunday Herald and presumably because of his patrician interest in field sports and general aspects of Highland culture, he was occasionally sent north or west to cover Teuch-Fest or Shinty’s Big Day Out as some liked to call it. 

At half time he would disappear for a period, reappearing later in the second half to take up where he had left off- dispensing bon-mots and affable charm to the rest of us. Next day, his copy would appear. It was always perfect-he had crafted a narrative with all the right scorers in all the right order. Basically, that ,along with an anecdote or two - “colour” to those in the know-is all that is required to cut whatever mustard requires a touch of the sgian-dubh,

So now to Cork- the player whom we older citizens still dare to call “Young Cork”- and, of course,  his “worldie.”  Well, it wasn’t the first goal of the afternoon. The honour of scoring the first goal for the Glen in the 2025 MOWI North 1 Season went to  Seonaidh Macleod. The youngster grabbed his goal on the 10-minute mark when, like any natural striker, he followed in on a goal-bound shot which was blocked by the defence leaving the loose ball close enough to be flicked over the line for the opener. Later on in the match the young man could have doubled his tally when he was offered a penalty after a ‘Shiel defender dropped his club inside the D. However, Seonaidh just failed to convert this with his well hit shot whizzing just wide of the post.

‘Shiel managed to keep in the game with a quick reply though Rory Barclay before Mr Corrigan found the net. The formal title hints at respect-the venerable veteran has of course scored a few times before- and, though the youngsters don’t know it, he has pulled on the blue international jersey of his country on more than one previous occasion.

This time, Jamie Maclennan, returning for his first outing of the season, played a long ball up over the top to the wing forward position. Mr C ran on to it, got the ball under control, turned tightly on to his back hand and with his direct opponent languishing on the ground, fired the ball across the keeper in to the top of the net. A worldie? Defo. Is Cork the G.O.A.T.? Probably not. Probably not even the best player that has come out of Balnain School.

But still he put us on the way - though Shiel youngster Jay Macrae hit two second half goals, Glen toughed it out for the victory in what was a tight game on a heavy pitch. They rode their luck at times but superb stick work by keeper Shalom Brown made the difference on at least two second half occasions when he kept out accurate, powerful shots from the home attackers.

Daniel Van Loon got Glen’s third goal after a nice move where he finished from the edge of the D after the ball had been switched across the field by Seonaidh Macleod.

The winner came courtesy of a last minute penalty awarded for a kick on the ball by a ‘Shiel defender. It was a tough call for referee Andrew Mackenzie to make against a home team but whatever the pressure young forward Glenn Macdonald felt, he did not let it get to him. He stepped forward and smashed it into the top corner. No-one could have hit it better.

An excellent start for the seconds then and let’s hope there is more of this to come. Further worldies would be welcome.

An equally exciting game took place at Blairbeg to herald the new women’s premier league. After a little early Skye pressure was seen off by the Glen backline, Rowan Brockie opened the scoring for the home side in the first ten minutes but Skye equalised shortly afterwards. Glen once again took the lead shortly afterwards, this time thanks to a low driving finish in 26 minutes from Hazel Hunter but once again Skye fought back hard to level the score shortly before half time.

 A tense second half followed with both sides having lots of pressure with Skye edging ahead with 10 minutes to go. Glen fought back but luck was against them when the visitors were awarded a penalty minutes from the end when Rebecca Van Loon to the amazement of the spectators was judged to have kicked the ball inside the D.

Glen keeper Freddi Gilbert got her body to the strike but the ball managed to slip past her to see Skye claim the victory. An unfortunate result in the end despite a fine performance from all the players. Still, this was a Skye team that a year or so ago would have been more convincing victors- so all is progress.

The second women’s team meanwhile made a strong start to the Women's North Div. 2 season with a good away win against Lochaber. Truthfully it was Lochaber who made the early running in this fixture and as a result were 2-1 up at half-time.

Glen came back strongly after the break and in the end ran out victors by five goals to three. Rowan Brockie was the goal star of the show and was top scorer of the day with four goals with youngster Sophie Power grabbing the other Glen strike.

Meanwhile, talking of a game of two halves the National League clash at Blairbeg against Kilmallie was very much just such a Jekyll and Hyde clash. 

Glen started well taking an early lead through an Alfie Macleod strike from close range and then they seemed to do the “Hyde” bit which saw them finish the half behind to two excellent strikes. The first came from Calum MacDougall who brought down the ball a bit out from the D, shook off his marker Fergus Robertson and smashed the ball home to bring ‘Mallie level.

Glen were up against it at this point and had to work hard to hold on. They were helped in some measure when MacDougall missed a chance from close range but matters did not look good when a fine strike from Ben Mackinnon let the visitors take a deserved lead.

The second half saw Glenurquhart make a couple of changes with Ali Mackintosh going off with a muscle strain and Liam Robertson coming on along with Oliver Black.

Glenurquhart appeared to have found some self-belief with excellent centreline displays from Ally Maclean and in particular Sean Brown who began to have the edge on his experienced opponent in the excellent Lewis Birrell.

Alfie Macleod got the Glen level in 61 minutes with a fine strike but though young frontmen Daniel Maclean, Doug Brockie and Charlie Macleod pushed hard for the winner they were thwarted by a determined Kilmallie backline with young keeper Alexander MacNiven playing his part with at least two superb saves in the latter stages.

In the end it was not to be but it’s been a while since we’ve seen such a tightly contested game of shinty IMHO- and they were without Innes Blackhall too.  Never mind, it’s early days yet but let’s hope that it’s a sign of what’s to come.

 

Pictures- they are scarce. Some old ones -one or two taken after the Kilmallie  game after Saturday. We’ll have to sort this out sometime. Thanks to Mark Macpherson, and Peter Jackson at Kilmallie for additional analysis.