Delaney to four but she puts Lochaber’s Camanachd triumph down to teamwork

Kirsty Delaney scored all four goals to help Lochaber win the women’s Camanachd Cup for the first time but stressed teamwork was the main asset as the Spean Bridge side made history.

Delaney, daughter of former Lochaber player John, scored twice in each half to subdue a braveSkyeteamandwin4-2atAn Aird, Fort William.

“I can’t score goals unless others give me the passes and create the opportunities,” the 21-yearold said. “It’s allaboutplaying well as a team and it took more than me to get us to the final. For instance, my elder sister Claire scored the late winner in the semi-final.

“It’s fantastic we’ve got our handsonthe trophyandeveryone has worked hard and trained hard all year to get us to this level, including my uncle Michael as our team manager.”

Delaney has been playing alongside the men in Lochaber’s second team and added: “That’s been a big help to me, because I learn to use my wits and I feel playing regularly againstmenhas helped me step up a level.

“But winning this cup is just marvellous for our women’s team and our club as a whole.”

The player-of-the-match medal went to Lochaber goalkeeper Aileen Campbell for a series of fine stops to defy Skye, who put in a great effort but finished runners-up for the second time in three years.

Campbell is the sister of Lochaberdefenderandformerinternational Lachlan and, keeping it in the family, at wing back was Regan Porter, Lachie’s daughter and Aileen’s niece.

Delaney took only six minutes to get Lochaber off to a flier but Lorna MacRae pulled the islanders level on 27 minutes only for Delaney to net again five minutes later.

It was still 2-1 midway through the second half until Delaney completed her hat-trick. MacRae grabbed her second goal in 74 minutes to re-ignite Skye hopes, only for Delaney to score her forth two minutes later.

Captain Rebecca Mason stepped up to collect the Valerie Fraser Trophy for the women in Red and White.

The Marine Harvest Challenge final turned out to be a one-sided derby, with Lovat overcoming Strathglass 7-1.

Fiona Urquhart scored four goals – including a hat-trick in the first 16minutes– whileLauraGallagher scored two in the first 15 minutes to put the Kiltarlity team six up before Chloe Macleod struck for Strath on 29 minutes.

Nikki Grant netted to ensure a spectacular first half ended with Lovat 6-1 up. Urquhart completed her quartet in the 68 minutes.

“Winning this cup is marvellous for the team and our club”