Skye Ready For Valerie Fraser Final | |
01 September 2022 Holders Skye Camanachd have completed their final preparations for the Women’s Camanachd Association’s biggest game of the season, the Mowi Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup Final against Badenoch at the Eilan on Saturday 3 September 2022. Both sides have dominated WCA shinty over recent seasons and Skye were 8-6 winners against Badenoch in the 2019 Valerie Fraser final at the Dell but Badenoch came out on top at the same venue a year earlier, winning 4-1. The sides have also still to meet at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree in a clash which will surely decide the destination of the Mowi National Division title. Skye beat Ardnamurchan 14-0 in the quarter-finals of this year’s competition but they were just 7 minutes away from exiting the tournament at the semi-final stage when they trailed Glasgow Mid Argyll 1-0. However late goals from Caitlin Maclean and Rhianna Kirk sent Skye through to another final. Badenoch were given a bye in the last-eight of the competition before seeing off Ardnamurchan 1-0 in the semis to seal a place in the final. Skye Camanachd’s Caitlin Maclean is looking forward to the big day. She said: “We have been doing two training sessions over each of the last few weeks and we have had some different coaches come in to put across different ideas and that has all been really helpful. “We have a few players back too and with it being a Saturday game, we will have a full squad available. We’ve also had some tough games recently which sets us up nicely for the final.” Badenoch Head Coach Scott Campbell said: “It has been a long two years without this competition to look forward to and who better to meet at this stage than our old friends and recent rivals Skye Camanachd Ladies. Throw up is at 4.05pm and the final be broadcast live on BBC ALBA from 4pm. Earlier in the day, Kinlochshiel and Lovat contest the Mowi Challenge Cup. Throw up is at 1.45pm. The WCA has acknowledged that times are hard for many families at present, so they have kept Gate prices as affordable as possible; Adults - £5, Concessions - £3 whilst under-12s go free. There will also be bouncy castles, face painting etc with a £5 inclusive wrist band available to purchase for kids’ activities. There will be catering on-site. This is all intended to enable as many people as possible to enjoy a shinty day out, celebrate WCA shinty at the highest level as well as spreading happiness and positivity in these tough times. |