Shinty For London
Iomain do Lunnainn
Latest News from the London Camanachd Club
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Highlanders 4 – London 3 (30 June 2007)
London Camanchd had a cracking match against the Highlanders, the current Bullough Cup holders. From the start the teams were evenly matched, and this proved to be a very exciting game that could have gone either-way. After just 10 minutes London had a goal disallowed for an offside, and 2 minutes later the Highlands scored from a penalty for a kick in the D. After a short while the Highlanders then went 2-0 up, and it looked like London might be in trouble. However London scored two goals in quick succession; first John MacDonald, with a poacher’s goal from inside the D, then Peter Arrowsmith with a great drive, and the score was level. The rest of the first half battled on, with the Highlanders on the back foot. ‘Davedave’ Mathie got a goal from midfield, putting London ahead 2-3 at half time. The second half started well for London, but only produced a couple of half chances which were not converted into goals. As the half wore on the fitness advantage of the Highlanders started to tell, and they put the London defence under a spell of sustained pressure. Despite some brave defending, in the end the difference in fitness combined with a couple of injuries for London was to prove too much, and the Highlanders scored 2 goals in the final 15 minutes to win 4-3. The game was a tremendous success and London were disappointed to have lost, but it was felt that the team had made a step forward from the same fixture of last year, and provides a platform to build upon for the future.
London Camanachd 1 : The Highlanders 0
(Posted 24 July 2006) On the 22nd of July 2006, on a warm and wet day in Greenford, west London, a historic occasion took place: the first competitive game of shinty in England for 80 years, with London Camanachd hosting The Highlanders, who had travelled from Germany.In a wet and windy first half, London started brightly against the wind and had The Highlanders pinned back for most of the half. The London forwards worked a few chances and several shots glanced wide and an effort from Pete Arrowsmith cracked off the woodwork. Still, The Highlanders were dangerous on the break and had a few opportunities to score themselves.
The warm and dry conditions of the second half brought the spectators out from the shelter of the foliage and a crowd of around 80 cheered every London move. More London pressure followed with a missed penalty (for a kick in the D) and an open chance fired wide. However, a goal was coming and with around 25 minutes to go Joe Henderson entered the fray, soon after the ball fell to him 20 yards out and he hit an unstoppable drive into the top left hand corner. The Highlanders rallied and for much of the remainder of the game London struggled to clear their lines. The big Highlanders full back came up front and for the last five minutes London suffered sustained pressure. With three minutes to go the goal judge flagged for a Highlanders’ penalty for a push in the D, but fortunately for London it was overruled by the referee.
A rousing cheer greeted London’s deserved win, their first of the season, and the finish to a captivating game of shinty.
A special mention must be given to the referee, Bill MacLachlan, who travelled all the way from Spean Bridge to officiate. He had a great game, keeping the game flowing and diffusing tempers when needed.
The London team was:
John Macleod (Goals)
George MacRitchie
Adam Wilkinson
Pete Smith
Nick Philpott
Neil Brannigan
Alex Barnes
David Brown
Peter Arrowsmith
Jenny Black
Iain MacCormick
Marcus Potter
Subs:
Eric Morrison (on for Jenny Black)
Joe Henderson (on for Iain MacCormick)
Life of Danger continues down south for London Lassies......
(Posted 10 July 2006) 22nd April - Tara Camogie 6 aside tournament (The match report took a while but it got here in the end)The London Shinty girls recorded their first victory in a stunning battle at Tir Chonaill Park one sunny Saturday afternoon in April. With no shinty opposition in the London area the girls decided (with some persuasion from their captain) to turn their hand to camogie. The girls arrived early on the Saturday morning, with coach and cheerleader in tow, and quickly set-about acquiring helmets, sticks and players (and a set of rules) before the start of the tournament. Before-long and thanks to the generosity of Tara, Green Isle and Erin go Bragh Camogie teams the girls started the first game fully equipped …..Although still slightly clueless!!
The first game was against Erin go Bragh from Birmingham. The game quickly descended into a spectacular hybrid hockey/shinty/ camogie affair with Jess Perry (hockey player) scoring a stunning hattrick; Bubu and Wyle-E’s great skill in goal; and both Puph and Gemma hardcore battling up front and in midfield. This new approach to camogie cunningly out-witted the opposition. London Cam recorded their first victory on English soil with a stunning 22-0 victory over the camogie players from Birmingham. Unfortunately the second game against the Green Isle was less successful and London Cam narrowly lost to them (score unknown). Despite this London Cam Girls progressed into the cup competition semi finals and played Bros Pearce's. Sadly this team had many experienced junior players and eventually beat the London girls …. but not without a few bruises and broken sticks!
A great day and evening was had by all and the girls even managed to fit in a quick shinty display match with Tir Chonaill Harps Glasgow Shinty/ Camogie Team!!
No injuries reported on the pitches...unfortunately the team cheerleader let the side down and after copious amounts of cider and some over-zealous break dancing he required several stitches in his chin the next morning!!
Big thank you to Ace (coach), Eric (lone supporter), Sarah (our adopted shinty girl) and Tara Camogie for all their help and support!
1st Game of the Season - Highlanders Away - Musselburgh
(Posted 09 July 2006) The first leg of the Highlanders tie was played in grey and overcast Musselburgh. With London managing to get a team plus a reserve organised four hundred miles from home, the match ended with a dissapointing score.8-0 to the Highlanders
Although it nicely sets up the leg in London, with home advantage, for a 9-0 win for London to take us through to the next round of the cup.
As always a full match report has been promised by the literary scholars....
New Year, New Committee, Same Old Story
(Posted 16 February 2006)Times have been quiet since the final games of last season with no news worthy events, or none that can be discussed in public, but London Camanachd is still here strong as ever.
The second AGM of the latest incarnation of the London Camanachd was held on the 3rd of February as always in the Green Man pub by Great Portland Street Tube station. The new(ish) committee is as follows:
Chieftain: Eric Morrison
Secretary: Neil Brannigan
Treasurer: Nick Philpott
Mens Captain: Peter Arrowsmith
Mens Vice Captain: Alex Barnes
Womens Captain: Jenny Black
Womens Vice Captain: Sarah Watt
As may be noticeable, there is not a great change in the committee from last year, which I'm sure reflects the efficiency that the members executed their roles. Thanks to Marcus for getting the club going on the finance front and of course Adam for donating so much of his precious time to the secretaries roll over the last year.
Again this year the aim is to play as many competitive games as possible and with that in mind the Womens team will be participating in the 20th Anniversary of Tara Camogie Club Tournament on the 22nd of April. For more details on this tournament, Camogie and the Tara Camogie Club in London please visit www.Camogie.co.uk .
The Mens team have again entered the Bullough Cup. This year they have been drawn to play the Highlanders home and away, more news will follow on whether Shinty will be taken to Iraq...
As always new members are welcome to come along, whether newcomers wanting to learn the sport or seasoned veterans.
Inverness 6s
(Posted 21 July 2005) Out of 8 million people, 7 were chosen to represent London at the Inverness sixes on Saturday the 2nd of July. Well actually captain Pete Arrowsmith even selected one man from Cornwall and two from St Andrews because the London line up wasn't up to scratch. The team was:Pete Arrowsmith, Adam Wilkinson, Alex Barnes, Aidy Banks, Jonnie Adamson, Matt Mossop, Andy Pluskall and Bix! (who we picked up in Inverness).
London arrived in fine form and met at the Bught park for a brief hit about before learning that they were to face hosts Inverness, Kinlochshiel, Skye and Tayforth in their group stages. So with one team from National league one, two from North division one and the leaders from South division one London were optimistic about their chances.
London lost just about the quickest goal of the day in their opening match against Kinlochshiel and then went on to lose another in a 2-0 loss that they were never involved in. Sadly in addition to that London also lost Andy Pluskall to a broken hand and he went off to the hospital leaving only six. Some ladies in the pub at night didn't think that he had injured himself that badly but the poor lad must have been worn out from the excitement of it all because he needed an early night in bed.
Things started to get better although in the next two games London went on to lose 3-0 to Inverness and 1-0 to Skye although Jonnie was unlucky in a stint out of the hole to see his shot that would have drawn the game level ping off the post.
So, as things were beginning to improve London recruited Bix to give us a squad of seven again. The final game of the group stage was against Tayforth. With Tayforth consisting mostly of ex Edinburgh University players and London consisting mostly of ex St Andrews University players it was no real surprise to see Tayforth run out easy 3-0 winners.
So, London went into the diddy cup with no real optimism but somehow things began to click as we played Skye again. Once more Skye took a lead but this time things changed and a stinging backhand lash from Matt was too much for the Skye keeper and London went level. Unfortunately Skye's fitness won through and they went on to win 3-1.
So in the final game of the tournament London faced Kinlochshiel for the third/fourth place play off in the diddy cup. (They are so nice in Inverness that there really are no losers). Again London went a goal down but a fine team effort allowed Pete to tuck in a couple of goals and for London to win their first shield in many years. Matt was also awarded a bottle of whisky for making the long trip from Cornwall.
Unfortunately, Adam, Andy, Matt and Aidy drank the bottle of whisky on the way down from Inverness to Newtonmore which actually may go some way to explaining some of the events of the evening… suffice it to say that there are some satisfied old women, soiled carpets and, if the missing hours are ever explained, possibly some worried looking sheep in Newtonmore this week.
Aberdour vs London Camanachd
(Posted 23 May 2005) London Camanachd recorded their first win in 10 years on Saturday 14th May with a fairly straightforward victory at Aberdour in Fife.With a team that started with 8 players from the previous games (against the Highlanders and GMA) there were 4 debuts made today and one player – George MacRitchie – making a welcome return after having played for London Camanachd ten years ago before the club went into abeyance.
London’s intentions were set straight from the throw up with Alex Barnes producing a tremendous whack sending the ball deep into Aberdour territory to set up the first London attack. Although this first attack was unsuccessful we didn’t have to wait long for the first goal as it arrived after about 5 minutes through a Lars Paulsson drive from 20 yards.
Consistent London pressure then followed with Peter Arrowsmith hitting the post for the second game in the row fortunately not from the penalty spot this time. However, Aberdour were beginning to mount some attacks of their own and with London failing to convert several chances it was something of a relief to see Arrowsmith’s tame effort from 25 yards cross the line (but possibly not even hit the back of the net) after about 20 minutes.
Although the combined age of the London back 5 probably equalled the total combined age of the entire Aberdour team they showed good running and kept the Aberdour attacks confined to long range shots. Keeper Johnnie Broccoli didn’t have a shot on target to deal with in the first half even manufacturing some saves from shots clearly going wide to keep himself entertained.
Some good work from the midfield trio of Lars Paulsson, Alex Barnes and Graeme Robertson was giving good ball to the forwards particularly down the wings where Rupert Walker and Jenny Black were doing some good work to get crosses in. However, all four of the forwards were rather wasteful of chances in front of goal with at least three great opportunities not hitting the target.
On the stroke of halftime a free hit in the London half was hit long by Andrew Pluskall so long in fact that it was looked to be heading inside of the right post. In a moment of indecision the keeper attempted a save with the ball bouncing off his shoulder and into the empty net. To spare his blushes, the keeper later claimed in the pub that full-forward Marcus Potter had the final touch. No-one except Marcus really believed him!
At half time Rupert Walker made way for new boy Nick Beatty and he went in at wing centre with Graeme Robertson moving to full-forward and Marcus Potter out to wing forward.
The game continued much in the same vane in the second half with Aidy Banks, Eric Morrison and George MacRitchie cleaning up everything that came their way. The midfield battle was dominated by Alex Barnes whose continued battle for the ball showed no sign of tiredness – other than his third award in a row for sweatiest player.
Aberdour vs London Camanachd
(Posted 23 May 2005) London Camanachd recorded their first win in 10 years on Saturday 14th May with a fairly straightforward victory at Aberdour in Fife.With a team that started with 8 players from the previous games (against the Highlanders and GMA) there were 4 debuts made today and one player – George MacRitchie – making a welcome return after having played for London Camanachd ten years ago before the club went into abeyance.
London’s intentions were set straight from the throw up with Alex Barnes producing a tremendous whack sending the ball deep into Aberdour territory to set up the first London attack. Although this first attack was unsuccessful we didn’t have to wait long for the first goal as it arrived after about 5 minutes through a Lars Paulsson drive from 20 yards.
Consistent London pressure then followed with Peter Arrowsmith hitting the post for the second game in the row fortunately not from the penalty spot this time. However, Aberdour were beginning to mount some attacks of their own and with London failing to convert several chances it was something of a relief to see Arrowsmith’s tame effort from 25 yards cross the line (but possibly not even hit the back of the net) after about 20 minutes.
Although the combined age of the London back 5 probably equalled the total combined age of the entire Aberdour team they showed good running and kept the Aberdour attacks confined to long range shots. Keeper Johnnie Broccoli didn’t have a shot on target to deal with in the first half even manufacturing some saves from shots clearly going wide to keep himself entertained.
Some good work from the midfield trio of Lars Paulsson, Alex Barnes and Graeme Robertson was giving good ball to the forwards particularly down the wings where Rupert Walker and Jenny Black were doing some good work to get crosses in. However, all four of the forwards were rather wasteful of chances in front of goal with at least three great opportunities not hitting the target.
On the stroke of halftime a free hit in the London half was hit long by Andrew Pluskall so long in fact that it was looked to be heading inside of the right post. In a moment of indecision the keeper attempted a save with the ball bouncing off his shoulder and into the empty net. To spare his blushes, the keeper later claimed in the pub that full-forward Marcus Potter had the final touch. No-one except Marcus really believed him!
At half time Rupert Walker made way for new boy Nick Beatty and he went in at wing centre with Graeme Robertson moving to full-forward and Marcus Potter out to wing forward.
The game continued much in the same vane in the second half with Aidy Banks, Eric Morrison and George MacRitchie cleaning up everything that came their way. The midfield battle was dominated by Alex Barnes whose continued battle for the ball showed no sign of tiredness – other than his third award in a row for sweatiest player.
Highlanders vs London Camanachd
(Posted 27 April 2005) The Highlanders came to the game on a high after beating Aberdour 8-0. With both teams having played a full game the day before the fitness levels of the teams would be tested to the full. Again it was another hard fought match and until just before the change of ends the Highlanders had managed to just edge ahead. This was then followed by series of successful attacks by the army giving them a comfortable lead going into the second half. The match continued to he hard fought in the second half with a penalty from London Camanachd bouncing off the crossbar denying the captain a goal.Final Score - Highlanders 7 - 0 London Camanachd
Thanks to Kim McGillivray from EEL for coming along a taking some excellent photos that can be seen at Shinty.com, more photos will be posted on this website soon.
Full match report will follow.
GMA vs London Camanachd
(Posted 23 April 2005) GMA won the match 4 goals to 1. It was a hard fought match with plenty of play in either half, unfortunately we only converted our pressure into 1 goal where GMA made 4. Congratulations to Jenny at becoming the Men's teams Top goal scorer!Full match report will follow, hopefully.
First Weekend of Men's Matches
(Posted 20 April 2005) The times and locations of the first weekend of men's matches has been confirmed.
23rd April 2005 - GMA (Glasgow Mid Argyll) @ GMA (Glasgow Mid Argyll) Pitch - 2.30 PM
24th April 2005 - Highlanders @ EEL (Edinburgh East Lothian) Pitch - 3.00 PM
For directions to the EEL pitch please see the EEL website's "reach us" page at EEL Reach Us. At the bottom of the page there are directions and a link to a map.
If you are not playing but will be in the area please do come down and support us in our first outing since reforming.
Gaelic Menus
(Posted 17 April 2005) Gaelic menus and (Some) titles added to the site, thanks to Eóghan Stiubhart of Bord na Gaidhlig for the translations. More gaelic to be added soon.
1st Committee Meeting
(Posted 15 February 2005) The first committee meeting of the reformed club was held on Friday the 11th of February. The full committee was present along with a few stragglers who turned up for the food and drink. Kind thanks to the secretary, Adam, for the location and sustenance which helped with the lively discussion of the challenges for the club in the coming weeks and months. This included, amongst other things, the constitution, funding, pitches, strips and travel to games in Scotland.The constitution will be posted on this site once finalised (and passed to me... hint, hint)
RSS Feed Goes Live
(Posted 8 February 2005) For anyone that interested, I have added an RSS feed to the site. The xml can be found linked in the RSS icon on the left hand side. 1 Feed for any and all updates to the whole site. If you find any problems with it let me know at info@LondonShinty.com.
1st AGM of the Reformed Club
(Posted 31 January 2005) The 1st AGM of the reformed club was held in the Green Man Pub on the 28th of January 2005.A brief history of the previous incarnations of the club was circulated before getting down to the substance of the meeting. Minutes will be posted later. The officers of the club were elected as follows:
Chieftain: Eric Morrison
Secretary: Adam Wilkinson
Treasurer: Marcus Potter
Mens Captain: Peter Arrowsmith
Mens Vice Captain: Alex Barnes
Womens Captain: Jenny Black
Womens Vice Captain: Sarah Watt
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