21/09/2026
HIS SUTHERLAND CUP FINAL
Lochside Rovers 5 v 4 Kinlochshiel
Plairbeag Park was the venue for the Sutherland Cup Final. For the first time the final would be between Lochaide Rovers and Kinlochshiel. The supporters came in their numbers for what would be some spectacle. Sandy Tulloch would throw the ball up to get the final under way.
The travelling supporters wouldn't have to wait long for the opening goal. A free hit, floated in from the left to the back post, was put back across the box from Liam Matheson to Jay MacRae, who composed himself and slotted the ball home for the opener. Kinlochshiel would continue to create chances in the opening period of the game, and we played some of our nicest shinty of the season in this period. Lochside however would equalise from a set piece, which proved to be very effective all day from them. From the resulting throw up though we would go ahead and equalise. As the ball dropped from the throw up, it was pushed forward by the centre line, then between three forwards playing the ball first time, and a great pick out from Duncan Macmillan, with an equally good run from Seumas Martin, on his backhand, would fire the ball home to restore our lead. Lochside would find their composure, and kept threatening from every set piece they had, and as a team, we started to lose our calmness which we had in the opening 20 minutes. Their pressure would be rewarded with another goal ten minutes before halftime.
Half time 2-1
We started the second half on the back foot, and nerves kicked in again. Lochside would score an early goal in this period. After that, we settled down and started creating chances again. We went close a few times, then made a couple of changes around 75 minutes. Sean Campbell came on at wing centre and Corin Jack came on in the forward line, closely followed by Calum Reid. As the clock went over 90 minutes, Colin MacDiarmid, was shown a second yellow card to save a goal being scored. We then had a period of pressure up the other end in added time, and Duncan would make no mistake with his strike, high into the net, to take the game to extra time.
Extra time
We calmed everyone down before extra time started. Jay would hit the cross bar early on in the first period. Then Jay again, would dribble into the box and was taken down by a Lochside player. Duncan stepped up for the penalty, and hit it hard, with no chance for the keeper. For the first time since the first half of normal time, we took the lead. The lead wouldn't last too long, as Matt Rippen would score again with a free shot just, outside the box.
Both teams looked for a winner. We tried throwing everything at Lochside but eventually, a long shy from them into the box would find a forward to slot home a winner, in the dying minutes of the game. We pushed again but Sandy would blow the whistle to end what was an exiting 120+ minutes.
It was heartbreaking to lose the final when we came so close to winning it. I just want to say that I was already proud of every player in getting to the final, but I’m even more proud of the way every single one played on the day. They should all hold their heads up high, and if they keep going then they will win cups in the coming years.
A massive thank you to every single one of you who came to support, Duncan DA for organising a suporters bus, Charlene for the photos, to Gary Macintosh at HIS for his hospitality. A massive thanks to Doe, Duncan and Ross for their help on the sidelines.
Martin
