Shinty league structure revealed

Shinty clubs across the region have welcomed the announcement of the new Mowi League structure by the Camanachd Association.

In order to stick to the Scottish Government’s road map out of Covid, this year’s competition will take place in an abbreviated format with regionalised leagues composed of six teams to ensure that the campaign is as safe as possible while maintaining the excitement that fans have come to expect.

Oban Celtic, Oban Camanachd and Inveraray shinty clubs will be joined by Aberdour, GMA and Kyles

Athletic in

League C.

Les Kinvig, Oban Celtic assistant coach, said that his team were looking forward to the restarting of competitive shinty and that the new league format would be a tough but welcome test.

‘The first team will face premiership opposition on a regular basis this season so while it will be a step up it is certainly a challenge the club and players are looking forward to,’ he added.

‘The formats essentially allow us to test ourselves against higher opposition without the added pressure of promotion or relegation that you would normally have in a league.

‘The experience gained from this season will be of great the Mowi

Senior value to the players and club as we keep aiming to improve with the obvious aspiration of reaching the premiership in the coming years.’

Les expressed the club’s gratitude to the Camanachd Association for the work it has done to enable a season.

In a restricted calendar clubs will have 10 league matches complemented by the full array of cup competitions, the draws for which will be taking place over the next three weeks.

Burton Morrison, Camanachd Association competitions director, said: ‘My thanks go to both the competitions committee for its help in pulling together the structure and the Camanachd Association board for ratifying the plans.’

Derek Keir, Camanachd Association CEO, thanked Mowi Scotland for its continued support and praised the clubs for their progress towards making a full a return.

‘We at the Camanachd Association have been heartened by the progress that many clubs are making in their return to training in line with Covid guidance,’ he said.

‘We look forward with hope and plan cautiously for a safe return to shinty and ensuring that opportunities will be safe and fun for all.’

Any club seeking support with getting their Covid readiness documentation prepared for the return to shinty or indeed anything else should contact their regional development officer.