This Saturday, the shinty world descends upon Bught Park, Inverness for the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final. Before the main final, the cream of U14 shinty comes together to compete for the MacMaster Cup, this year holders Skye aim to retain their title against Newtonmore. We spoke to Skye Co-Captains John Archie Tuncay and Iain Graham to preview the game.

 John Archie, how are you and the rest of the team feeling ahead of Saturday’s Final?

JAT: We are right up for this final as it is our 3^rd MacMaster Final in a row. We have all been attending our training sessions and feel we are ready for Saturday.

IG: We are all very excited and looking forward to getting on the pitch on Saturday. We are prepared and ready to give it our best shot to bring the cup back to Skye! Some of us have played in the MacMaster Cup final before and know what a big occasion it is. Our team mates who are playing in the MacMaster for the first time are really looking forward to it. Saturday can’t come quick enough!

Have you played Newtonmore this season? If so, what do you think about them as a team?

JA: Yes, we played Newtonmore at home 2 weeks ago which they came out on top with a 6-1 victory. They are a very strong side this year as we know, and they have had some outstanding scores against all their opponents this season.

IG: We have played Newtonmore once. It was a League match in Portree that we unfortunately lost, but we’re looking to put that right on Saturday! Newtonmore are a very well organised team who move the ball around very quickly. They have also scored a lot of goals this season and have very capable players in key areas of the pitch.

You had a good semi-final win against Beauly in Lochcarron, what 3 things do you think you did well that day?

JAT: Well, it was a great game to say the least with quality end to end shinty.

The 3 things I thought I did well that day were

1. Marking one of Beauly’s best under 14’s Louie MacLellan and keeping him at bay for most of the game.
2. Having good communication with my team throughout.
3. I thought that I cleared the lines well and got the ball to the forwards most of the game.

IG: The semi-final against Beauly was a really exciting game to be involved in. The team effort was outstanding – to go from leading the game to going 3-2 down and to win in extra time against a really good Beauly team was brilliant. We turned up with a positive attitude, a desire to win and great team spirit.

On a personal note, you’re something of an expert in the MacMaster Cup Final having won it in 2021 and 2022, what does it feel like to win the cup?

JAT: It was an amazing buzz winning the MacMaster trophy twice in a row with some great guys in our teams.

The 1^st time competing in Oban against Fort William must be the best moment, playing with Seonaidh Alex MacLeod, Donnie MacDiarmid and Iain MacInnes, boys I played with for North End shinty team throughout primary school.

IG: To win the MacMaster Cup is a great feeling. All the work, effort and commitment from the start of the season comes together. I’ve been lucky to be involved with teams full of really good players. To lift a cup with your mates is just the BEST!