Oban Camanachd skipper Daniel Cameron collected the Scottish Sea Farms Celtic Society Cup – the first time in 22 years the club has successfully defended it – then rushed to Glasgow to walk 15 miles of the West Highland Way yesterday.
And the super-fit international stressed that the latest silverware success puts down a marker that the Mossfield men have returned to the game’s top tier.
Following a 2-1 win over Kyles Athletic at Taynuilt, which put Oban’s red-and-black ribbons on the trophy for the 20th time, Cameron said: “These are the kind of games we need to win to put down a marker that the club is back where it deserves to be.
“Bigger and better things lie ahead if we keep working hard. We’re in the Macaulay Cup semi-final, the Camanachd Cup quarter-final and third in the Premiership and that’s us now reeled off 10 successive victories.
“Our under-17s and second team are going very well. But the senior side has to set the benchmark and we’re finally doing that.”
Cameron slipped the final pass from a good move to allow Andrew MacCuish, who also scored both goals in last year’s Celtic final, to fire home his second and the match winner 90 seconds from the end of extra-time.
He added: “It’s great to see younger lads like subs Ross Campbell and Craig Easton picking up their first senior winner’s medal. To beat Kyles three times in a row hasn’t been done for many years.”
It is a first trophy for Steven Sloss in his debut year as manager.
He said: “We’re sending out the right message and we’re still in everything.
“Andrew MacCuish always seems to score important goals, while 19-year-old goalkeeper Cammy Sutherland showed he is a super talent. Both teams had plenty of chances on the sticky pitch but we were the better team in the closing stages.”
Former Ballachulish keeper Sutherland saved Roddy MacDonald’s first-half penalty with his stick and he and Kyles opposite number John Whyte were in excellent form.
Fish farmer Scott Macmillan, whose clean hitting caught the eye, won the Donald MacNiven Memorial Medal for man of the match to complete an Oban joy day.
He also picked up a booking along with team-mate Malcolm Clark and the Blues’ Rupert Williamson.
Kyles were behind from the first minute when MacCuish scooped home from six yards but they levelled early in the second half when Roddy MacDonald pulled down a high corner and turned well to hit home as he tumbled.
Colin Kennedy showed rich promise for Kyles when he came on for Colin MacDonald but full-back Calum Miller took a head knock and, after a spell at full-forward, he finally had to come off.
Kyles played much better than in the two previous duels with Oban but, as penalties loomed, MacCuish struck firm and low to win it.
Skye’s John Angus Gillies became the fourth recipient of the Jack Asher Medal for the final referee.