HISTORY was made at the weekend as two Cowal shinty players picked up the inaugural Single Team Cup.
Kathryn Morley and Anna Nicolson ply their trade for Dunadd Camanachd, with the Lochgilphead side overcoming Glenurquhart in the final.
However, the Argyll and Bute side had a slow start and conceded early, but they didn’t let their heads go down. Soon after, Eilidh Cameron equalized with a stunning strike high into the top corner. With this, Dunadd was hoped to press on. However, it was Glenurquhart who instead stamped their authority and replied with a well taken goal.
Dunadd tried to get back into the game and play some better shinty, however it was Glenurquhart who had the more clinical forwards as Brockie scored a hat-trick in the first half-hour.
Dunadd were not out of it yet though. Full centre Grace Drummond found herself in space and shot, looping the ball over the keeper’s head, bringing the Mid Argyll outfit within one at the half.
In the second period, Dunadd sorted out their defence and looked solid. The Cowal duo, Anna Nicolson and Kathryn Morley, were quick to mop up everything that came their way and kept the Glenurquhart forward line quiet, and goalkeeper Ashley Gorrie pulled off some wicked saves to keep Dunadd in the game. Then, up stepped captain Eilidh Cameron, who turned quickly and slotted the ball home to take the game into extra-time.
Dunadd dug deep in extra-time to keep the pressure on the Glenurquhart back line, but it was a stroke of luck which went Dunadd’s way as they were awarded a penalty. It was captain Cameron who stepped up to take it, firing the ball to the left of the keeper and giving Dunadd the lead for the first time all game.
In the second-half of extra-time Dunadd continued to pile on the pressure as Eilidh Cameron managed to evade the two Glen defenders and took a shot from distance that ended up in the bottom right corner of the net–the Dunadd captain rounding off a phenomenal performance, scoring four.
The full-time whistle brought a blend of relief and ecstasy to the Dunadd players and supporters, as the substitutes and coaches sprinted onto the pitch to celebrate.
Kathryn Morley, Dunoon Grammar School pupil, said: “It’s an amazing feeling to come out of the final victorious.
“We had all worked very hard in the run up to the game, so it felt very rewarding and deserving to have managed to get the win, especially because it was a tough game against a strong Glenurquhart squad.”
Fellow Cowal Local Anna Nicolson also played a starring role in the game, picking up player of the match.
She said: “We are all buzzing to have won the final, especially as we came in as the underdogs.
“Glenurquhart gave us a very tough game, but we always knew we’d have it in us to get a result.
“I am personally delighted to have received player of the match, it’s an honour.”
