Massive disappointment for fans as Camanachd Cup Final is abandoned
There was disappointment for Newtonmore and Oban Camanachd, and a soaked shinty support, as the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final at An Aird, Fort William was abandoned due to horrendous weather conditions.
The wet weather in the Lochaber area on Friday and yesterday morning meant the final started more in hope than expectation and with surface water appearing all over the field as the first half wore on.
The conditions were summed up when Newtonmore’s Drew Macdonald played the ball upfield but lost his footing and could do nothing to stop himself skidding along the ground and thumping into the pitchside safety barriers.
Referee Robert Baxter spoke to both camps at the interval; indicating that he would bring proceedings to an end if conditions worsened. And they did.
The second half was just four minutes old, and the match was scoreless, when Oban Camanachd’s Garry Lord’s clearance unleashed a wave of water from the ground and the referee had seen enough.
Speaking afterwards, referee Baxter said: “Player safety is paramount in these circumstances and the rain was getting heavier.
“It’s a hard call when it’s the biggest game on the shinty calendar and so many people have travelled here but it’s fairer to both sides that they get to play a rescheduled final in better conditions.” Newtonmore boss Paul John Mackintosh said: “The referee has responsibility for the safety of all the players so I suppose it’s the correct decision.
“It’s disappointing for us as conditions weren’t great when we started and we weathered the first-half elements, when there was a big wind in Oban’s favour, and there weren’t too many sliding challenges or injuries. “We’re gutted as we wanted to finish the game but it was the right decision.”
Oban Camanachd boss Stephen Sloss held a similar view.
He said: “It was getting dangerous out there so it was the correct call.
“The game probably shouldn’t have started in the first place but, because it’s the Camanachd Cup Final, it was given a go.
“At least it was 0-0 when it was ended so neither side was ahead.”
The final has been rescheduled for this coming Saturday at the same venue with the Bught Park, Inverness on stand-by.
Elsewhere, Kingussie went level on points with Mowi Premiership leaders Lovat after Roddy Young’s hat-trick helped them beat Caberfeidh 4-1. Ross Macrae scored twice as Kyles Athletic won 3-0 at Lochaber.