A healthy crowd was in attendance, with a large number of Leòdhasaich making the trip over to the mainland with two supporters coaches crossing the minch being joined by a number of bemused passers by who ventured in to watch what would be a well fought final.

Prior to throw in Lewis captain Scott MacLeod presented Glengarry captain Finlay Fraser with a ceremonial quiach to mark the occasion, before referee Bart Bukowski got the final underway. From the first moment it was clear that the Lewis faithful, no doubt spurred on by the festivities on the long journey over were going to back their team to the last minute in a noisy fashion. 

The first shot of the match came from co-manager Donnie MacRae, his shot saved by Gordon MacDonald to force a corner which came to nothing for Lewis before Raymond Robertson flashed one wide from the resulting counter-attack.

Despite the gap in divisions between the sides, the match from then on was a close affair, with every hit and tackle roaring on the Lewis crowd and giving the match a true final feel. Glengarry would have a few chances in the opening period, but the closest the ball came to hitting the back of the net was when Rhuairaidh MacDonald’s shot fell into the path of Scott Bremner, whose shot was touched onto the post by Connor Chalmers.

A few more half chances would be fashioned, but as the rain begun to fall it would nearly be advantage Lewis. A ball from one co-manager to another meant Donnie MacRae picked up the ball near the centre circle before taking it on a mazy run into the D, and as he released the ball to Daniel Harrison a desperate lunge from Finlay Fraser resulted in Bart Bukowski pointing to the spot.

MacRae’s resulting penalty however was a poor one which did not trouble the keeper meaning the scores were still level. The momentum would carry on in the Dubh is Gorm’s favour, before the half time whistle went with both teams roared down the tunnel after a well matched half of shinty.

The second half action got underway after a short break, and the first shot was from John Slaughter, his shot not troubling the Glengarry goalie. Soon after Rhuairaidh MacDonald got on the end of a ‘Garry counter-attack but his shot too was hit wide. The shots were coming quick, with Finlay Macleod flashing a ball into the box which was misjudged by Finlay Fraser, allowing John Slaughter to fashion another shot which went narrowly over the bar. 

The news during the week that Glengarry’s top scorer Nick Dalgety was a major doubt for the game after picking up a hamstring injury would have been a boost to Lewis, but with the islanders defence holding strong his quality shone through shortly after his introduction as he latched onto a loose ball before firing a shot wide. Shortly after Dalgety would get the ball into the path of Rhuairaidh MacDonald, but Connor Chalmers was first to the ball and Ronan Sinclair got the ball cleared for a corner, clearing the subsequent ball up the pitch.

Glengarry’s best chance to date would come as Steven “DD” Cameron wrestled the ball from Scott Macleod and fired it upfield into the path of Raymond Roberson who in turn played it to Kyle MacKinnon. His shot would be parried out by Chalmers with Dalgety picking up the loose ball which would break to Rhuairaidh MacDonald on the edge of the D, but the resulting shot was overhit – his head going straight into his hands in despair showed how big a chance this was, and it was a big let off for Lewis who remained in the game.

Another good chance would come for MacDonald as Raymond Robertson played a free hit into his path, but a well hit strike was once again saved by the ever impressive Chalmers in nets.

Lewis were holding strong, and would fashion a chance of their own as Donnie MacRae found Joseph MacInnes in space to hit a shot which went well wide. Glengarry went straight back to the attack with Dalgety chesting a ball down but some good jockeying from Declan Wilson prevented a full swing and his shot rolled wide of the net.

It was a similar story as Glengarry continued to get shot off after shot, but there was a feeling the elusive goal may not come and that the game may be going to extra time, exemplified by a late Dalgety shot once again being saved before Robertson’s follow up hit the post and went wide.

These fears would prove to be unfounded shortly after, as Steven “DD” Cameron’s long ball was played into Raymond Robertson who laid it off to Nick Dalgety, who held onto it long enough to allow Robertson to run into space and finally break the deadlock and spark jubilant scenes for the outnumbered Glengarry supporters.

Lewis would rally from throw in and work the ball up to Donnie MacRae, however his shot went agonisingly close to going into the top left corner of the goal. This would alas be the last chance of the game and Bart Bukowski would bring proceedings to a close, meaning Glengarry were 2026 Chieftain’s Cup Winners after a fantastic 90 minutes of shinty.

Congratulations to Glengarry, who have now won 3 out of the 5 editions of the Chieftain’s Cup. Commiserations must go to Lewis who fought admirably to the final whistle, roared on by a raucous support which loudly backed the team from minute one. 

Camanachd Association Chieftain John MacKenzie presented the medals to the teams and officials, and Glengarry captain Finlay Fraser rounded off proceedings by holding the cup high into the air.