LADIES SHINTY TOURNAMENT RESUMES

Karen Williamson

Organised by ‘The Garry Girls’ (members of the Invergarry Ladies Shinty Team), the Nevis Centre in Fort William saw the return of the indoor Johnstone Shinty Tournament after a twoyear Covid break.

Other than the suspension due to Covid, this tournament has been running annually since 1998, making it possibly the longest running competition in Ladies shinty and we are indebted to our sponsor Mrs Ailsa Johnstone.

This year, 10 teams took part; Glengarry, Badenoch, Kinlochshiel, Lochaber, Skye, Glenurquhart and Inverness and Ardnamurchan entered two teams each being placed in two leagues picked entirely at random. The top two teams of each league qualified for the semi finals.

This year saw Badenoch come through unbeaten in League A scoring 22 goals, with Glenurquhart qualifying as runners up. In League B Skye came through unbeaten scoring 17 goals, and Inverness B were runners up.

The first semi final saw Badenoch pushed to the final whistle by Inverness B, it was a very close game, however Badenoch secured their place in the final with a 6-3 win.

Our second final saw Skye take on Glenurquhart, again another great battle, this time Skye coming out the winners with a 5-1 win.

The 2023 final saw National Leagues rivals Badenoch take on Skye. Skye’s Holly MacLean pulled out all the stops and helped her side be crowned the Johnstone Tournament winners, with a convincing 8-3 win. Skye’s captain Rhainna Kirk, pictured below left, was presented the Johnstone Cup.

The tournaments player of the day was Ardnamurchan’s Ellen Munro, she impressed throughout the day and was presented with the shield.

Glengarry are indebted to our two referees, Greame Cameron and Ian Kennedy, who officiated throughout our day, to our sponsor Ailsa Johnstone and to all the teams who entered. The tournament is provisionally booked for its return on the last Saturday in January 2024.