SHINTY – Skye defeat Newtonmore to win Ken McMaster Cup
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Ken McMaster Cup Under-14 final
Newtonmore 1
Skye 5
Skye Camanachd proved too good for Newtonmore as a dominant second half performance saw them retain the Ken McMaster Cup.
The teams were tied at 1–1 at half time with Iain MacInnes giving Skye the lead before Ollie Hood equalised for Newtonmore.
But Skye stormed to victory with goals in the second half from Ruairaidh MacLeod, Ian Graham, Riley Anderson and Oliver Langlands.
Head coach Allan Macleod says Skye deserved their victory after a dominant second half performance.
"Five goals was maybe a bit flattering, especially after the first half.
"But in the second half, our strength in the centre line told and we got plenty of balls forward.
"In the first half Newtonmore were dangerous on the counter attack, we lost Andrew Rose and had reshuffling to do. After we got them in half time, they showed what they could do in the second half."
Skye have won the Ken McMaster Cup for the second year running and with the senior team in contention for promotion to the Premiership, Macleod hopes success at youth level will benefit the senior team at the top level of shinty in years to come.
"We are coming back off Covid and last year there were boys who had not had the opportunity to pick up a stick.
"But we regrouped and got to this stage and last year we had a close game against Fort William that we won.
"That has been a catalyst for us and numbers have been returning to youth training.
"A win can only bolster that and it would be great to see in the next few years them making senior appearances.
"That is the ultimate aim, it is all well winning at youth level, but producing first team players is the goal and the Premier League for Skye is where we want to be.
"I can't see why we can't do that this season and over the course of three or four seasons to establish ourselves and hopefully one day we can compete for the main prize."
Captain Ian Graham says after going in level at half time, he says they were motivated to realise their potential in the second half.
He hopes their victory inspires more people to take up the sport in Skye.
"We came into it in the second half. We were told if we wanted the cup we had to show it.
"We hope we will encourage more people to play as there is not much people coming up from the age groups."
