It was a third Mowi Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup success for Skye Camanachd as they beat Glasgow Mid Argyll 3-0 in their 4.10pm throw up at the Eilan, Newtonmore on Saturday 2 September 2023.

A good-sized crowd gathered in glorious sunshine ahead of a much-anticipated final which was also broadcast live on BBC ALBA.

Skye Head Coach Jenna Beaton fielded a fast forward line of Rhianna Kirk, Abby Maclean and Sarah Yoxon with Donna MacKenzie on the bench.

GMA Head Coach Graeme MacDiarmid started Alana Harrison at full back and captain Caitriona Stark in midfield with both players showing their commitment by cutting shot breaks abroad to play.

There was a minute’s silence ahead of throw up to mark the recent passing of legendary shinty figure Donnie Grant from Kingussie.

Skye looked like they meant business from the throw up and they went in front within 3 minutes. Caitlin Maclean’s free-hit from wide on the left wasn’t dealt with by the GMA defence and Rhianna Kirk touched the ball to Sarah Yoxon who squared it to Abby Maclean and she scored on the half turn from the front of the D.

Abby Maclean almost added a second after a surging run forward from Sarah Yoxon as Skye looked dangerous with every attack.

GMA keeper Dan Oberholzer made a good double-save with her legs from both Rhianna Kirk and Sarah Yoxon with Abby Maclean then sending the ball just wide of the far post from wide on the left.

GMA seemed to weather the early Skye storm and they introduced Kirsty Rodger from the bench midway through the first half and although the Glasgow side came more into it, the Skye defence of Christina MacDonald, Katherine Dibble and Leah MacLeod were well-drilled.

GMA had a set-piece chance when Rachel McCafferty slipped a pass to the left to Lucy McNulty who caught the ball well enough, but her strike flew wide.

Skye doubled their lead on 35 minutes with a perfect display of counter-attacking shinty. Defender Katherine Dibble won possession outside her own D and Caitlin Maclean first-time ball found Teri MacLeod on the right of midfield. Sarah Yoxon let MacLeod’s ball down the right run to Abby Maclean and her immediate pass picked out Rhianna Kirk in a central position and through on goal. Kirk unselfishly played a return ball to Maclean to the right of the D, and she made no mistake.

The Glasgow side made a bright start to the second half but when Skye went on the attack, Dan Oberholzer saved with her feet from Abby Maclean with Sarah Yoxon looking to capitalise on any slip.

Skye full back Christina MacDonald took a blow to the hand early in the second half but played on until the end of the game. However, it was later confirmed that she had suffered a broken thumb.

Abby Maclean played in Rhianna Kirk but she sent the ball the wrong side of the keeper’s left post and Dan Oberholzer saved again with her feet to keep out efforts from Sarah Corrigall, Rhianna Kirk and Corrigall again.

In-between times, Skye’s Catherine Robertson came on for an injured Ilana Paterson as the final approached the hour.

Skye sealed victory on 65 minutes. A ball out of the GMA defence came to Caitlin Maclean, who was just outside the centre circle, and her high ball into the D dropped by the keeper and into the net. 

With Caitlin Maclean dominating the midfield and Sarah Yoxon orchestrating the attack, Skye saw out the closing stages.

GMA did have late efforts at goal without overly troubling Sarah-Jane Ferguson and referee Deek Cameron’s final whistle started the Skye celebrations.

Skye skipper Rhianna Kirk stepped forward to receive the Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup from Jayne MacKay, representing sponsors Mowi. 

Skye’s Caitlin Maclean was named player of the match and she was presented with the salver by Peter Gow. She said: “Our aim was to get an early goal and we relaxed after that and played our shinty. All our hard work has paid off today.”

Speaking just after the final whistle, Jenna Beaton said: “We knew going into the game that GMA had a solid defence, so we fielded a speedy forward line to in an attempt to be first to the ball but fair play to GMA, they shut us down whenever they could.

“We passed up some chances to finish the game off and I didn’t feel safe until we were 3-0 ahead.

“I’m especially pleased for Caitlin as she dominated the midfield whilst Catherine Robertson was outstanding when she came on and Abby Maclean always gets on the end of something.”

GMA manager Graeme Macdiarmid added: “We are much more capable than our performance showed but take nothing away from Skye who were worthy winners.”

Skye Camanachd from: Sarah-Jane Ferguson: Christina MacDonald, Lexy MacLeod, Katherine Dibble: Ilana Paterson, Caitlin Macleod, Teri MacLeod: Rhianna Kirk (captain), Abby Maclean, Sarah Yoxon: subs Donna Mackenzie, Catherine Robertson, Leah Macleod, Molly MacKinnon, Ruby MacLeod

Glasgow Mid Argyll from: Dan Oberholzer: Alana Harrison, Christy Doherty, Laura McCafferty: Rachel McCafferty, Abi Kirkland, Caitriona Stark (captain): Joan Nicolson, Lucy McNulty, Kirsty Gray: subs Sarah Whear, Chirsty MacIntyre, Kirsty Rodger, Shona Fisher, Millie MacRae, Higgens

Match Referee – Deek Cameron