Family affair as 12-year-old Abby chases Camanachd medal

Abby Maclean, a 12- year- old Portree High School pupil, will aim to keep it in the family when she lines up for Skye against Lochaber in the Valerie Fraser Women’s Camanachd Cup final at Fort William tomorrow.

For Abby is the daughter of Caley Maclean, one of the Skye heroes when they won the Camanachd Cup for the only time in 1990, and would love to emulate her dad by winning a national medal.

Meanwhile, Lochaber’s Kirsty Delaney and her elder sister, Claire, have played alongside the men and will be lining up in a women’s side managed by their uncle, Michael Delaney, former senior team manager. Defender Mhairi Duncan and full back Hannah Dougan have also figured in Lochaber’s men’s team.

Neither Skye nor Lochaber have won the Women’ s Camanachd Cup before.

Skye were beaten 3-2 by Glasgow Mid Argyll two years ago, so a new name will go on the trophy tomorrow.

The teams have met twice this season, with Lochaber winning 4-2 at S pea n Bridge and Skye winning 3-1 at Portree.

Skye, skippered by Jenna Beaton, have Lorne MacRae, who is set to win her fifth international cap this autumn, and stalwarts such as Caitlin Maclean and Christina MacDonald in their side.

Rebecca Mason is the Lochaber captain and the Red and Whites will also be looking for a big performance from Missy Cameron.

Before the Women’s Camanachd final at 3pm, An Aird hosts the Marine Harvest Women’s Challenge Cup final at 1pm – between Lovat and Strathglass.

Lovat beat Glengarry 5-4 and then Dunadd 10-2 in the semifinals, while the Cannich side beat Inverness 7-0 and Ardnamurchan 4- 1 before edging through 1-0 against Fort William in the semi-finals.