Kingussie boss welcomes confirmation of final day of unique shinty season
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The Camanachd Association board of directors has confirmed that the 2021 shinty season will conclude at the end of this month.
The sport’s governing body hopes that all senior cup competitions will be completed by then with Mowi League matches continuing to be scheduled until Saturday October 30.
They have praised the efforts of all clubs and associations to ensure so many matches have been played despite the continuing disruption arising from the Covid pandemic.
Many clubs prioritised cup ties whilst using league games to introduce new players and build up their squads for the 2022 season.
The association has also thanked clubs and communities for creating a sporting sense of normality for their participants and members as well as the many supporters who have enjoyed the game’s return.
The October cut-off allows all clubs and their volunteers an appropriate off-season to recover and regroup after such a busy time before beginning their preparations for the 2022 shinty season.
Clubs are encouraged to continue to play their scheduled matches as far as possible.
League tables will continue to be kept up-to-date with league winners recognised where possible.
It is also accepted that not all leagues will be played to a conclusion due to the current circumstances and the short number of weeks still available.
Kingussie manager John Gibson agreed with the decision and told the Strathy: “We want to fulfil all our fixtures but I’m also mindful that the players need a break.
“We have been training constantly in one form or another since December and a finish at the end of the month still only gives the boys an eight or nine week break before we start all over again.”
The shinty leagues were re-structured for 2021 to try and limit travel for teams and there were also regional cup draws for the early stages of competitions.
Kingussie and Newtonmore’s first teams have competed in Mowi Senior League B along with Beauly, Caberfeidh, Lovat and Strathglass
Their second teams have been in North League B along with Aberdeen University, Caberfeidh seconds, Inverness and Lovat seconds.
