This weekend the first shinty of the 2024 season gets underway with the Mowi WCA North Division 2. The Mowi Game of the Week sees local rivals Kinlochshiel and Skye clash at Reraig. To preview the match, we sat down with Skye II Captain, Ruby MacLeod. You can also read an interview from Kinlochshiel II Captain, Isabella Langlands here.

A new season beckons this weekend, how excited are you to get back on the pitch?

Every year I’m always excited, I think I get more excited each year. Even being back after training after a break has been exciting. I’m looking forward for the minibus journeys as well!

A local rivalry to get things started, how do you feel about that?

I’m excited, the first game of the season is always nerving and exciting at the same time, Kinlochshiel will be a great way to start the season, I always enjoy playing against them and they give me a good challenge.

It was a strong end to the season for Skye II who picked up 7 of their 8 points from September onwards, how are the girls feeling going into the new season? Can you continue that form into the 2024 campaign?

We have struggled last year with coaches and not enough girls to fill the team consistently. But we have seen new promising players join over the winter season, and I’m excited for them to finally get some game time.

What are you most looking forward to about the new campaign? 

I’m looking forward to the growth and development of our second team, with the High School girls America trip, we have had an increase in younger girls at training. Which is brilliant for the 2nd team. I’m looking forward to playing shinty almost every weekend again and seeing everyone from all the other teams.