As Oban Camanachd prepare for their Glasgow Celtic Society Cup Final clash with Kyles Athletic, their defensive record offers a clear message—start strong, and the game is theirs to control.

Oban have conceded just 15 goals across the campaign, spread fairly evenly over the six standard match periods. Yet the opening quarter stands out for the wrong reasons: 4 goals conceded between 0–15 minutes—more than any other phase. It’s a pattern that suggests vulnerability when the pace is high and structure is still settling.

Kyles, known for their direct and aggressive start (more on that later!), will be eyeing this as an opportunity. For Oban, surviving those first 15 minutes could be decisive. Once through that spell, their defensive discipline tightens noticeably: just 2 goals conceded in each of the next three periods (15–30, 30–45, and 45–60). These figures highlight Oban’s control once they find their rhythm.

There’s a small dip again in the 60–75 minute window, with 3 goals conceded, but they finish strong—only 2 shipped in the final 15 minutes all season.

While Kyles Athletic boast some great attacking prowess, their defensive numbers reveal a team that plays on the edge—open, expansive, and sometimes exposed.

They’ve conceded 27 goals this season, and the spread suggests no single safe zone. The first half is especially fragile, with 16 goals conceded before the break, including 6 apiece in the 15–30 and 30–45 minute periods. It's during this stretch—when teams settle into rhythm—that Kyles often get caught.

Their opening 15 minutes sees 4 goals conceded and the second half doesn’t offer too much relief: 4 goals conceded in both the 45–60 and 60–75 spells, and 3 in the closing stages.

Kyles’ commitment to attacking shinty is clear, but it demands sharpness and energy across the full 90. When the balance tips, their backline can be punished—particularly in the first half, where their defence has shown signs of fraying under sustained pressure. It will be fascinating to see how Oban and Kyles match up to one another given each team's proficiency in periods which the other seems to struggle. We should be in for goals at least!

Ross MacMillan is Oban's top scorer this season and gave Kyles a torrid time in the 2024 Glasgow Celtic Society Cup Final. Daniel Cameron has 5 players who have already scored against Kyles this year at his disposal, so should he need to shuffle the deck, that option is there.

James Pringle is Kyles' top goalscorer this year with 7 goals, closely followed by youngster Roan MacVicar who is on 5. All three of Kyles top scorers have already bagged against Oban Camanachd this season so there is every chance for them to net again come this Saturday!

The Glasgow Celtic Society Cup Final features two teams with almost identical average ages—Oban Camanachd at 25.00 years and Kyles Athletic just marginally older at 25.69 years. This close similarity reflects a fine balance between youth and experience across both squads.

Looking closer, Oban have five Under-21 players in the squad, injecting a strong dose of youthful energy and pace into their side. Kyles, meanwhile, have two U21s, relying more on their seasoned core to carry the day, but that also means they have more players at the bottom end of their 20s compared to Oban.

This mix means the final could hinge on how well each team combines youthful dynamism with the steadiness that comes with experience. Both sides offer promising talent and tested heads, promising a thrilling battle that showcases the best of shinty’s present and future.