2010 Stornoway Shinty Sixes - The Craig Morrison Shield. | |
29 June 2010 The Stornoway Primary School playing field will play host to a feast of top shinty action on Saturday 3 July 2010 as teams from Lewis, Uist and the mainland compete for the Craig Morrison Memorial Shield at the inaugural Stornoway Shinty Sixes. Craig Morrison was tragically killed at the young age of 20 in an accident in 2009, just weeks after playing his last game for Camanachd Leòdhais. In order to mark his untimely passing, and to celebrate his life and great commitment to the sport of the Gael, his team mates at Camanachd Leòdhais have established this competition in his honour. Organiser Eoghan Stewart said. “We are all really looking forward to the day. This will be the first time a sixes tournament has been held in Lewis since 2007 - when Lochs were the victors – and the club hope this competition will become an annual event which will eventually see all the districts of the Islands enter a team.” Lewis has also invited teams with a strong connection to the club; Uist, Skye, Lochbroom and Lochcarron are expected to send teams which should ensure good stiff competition and excellent shinty for the spectator. Uist Camanachd are old rivals and Lewis has a close relationship with Lochbroom, sharing their Inverlael ground for cup matches. Skye Camanachd need no introduction as one of the iconic names in the sport and winners of the Camanachd Cup 20 years ago. The man of the match in that famous victory, Willie MacRae, may make an appearance for the Sgitheanaich. However the Lochcarron connection is most exciting as it was often boys from Wester Ross who played shinty for the Lewis Castle School up until the 1960s and county re-organisation and their are many connections between the village and Lewis & Harris. Sixes shinty is even faster and more furious than the full sized game and matches will last a maximum of 10 minutes. The day’s play will culminate in a grand final around 4.30 pm giving everyone the chance to have a good rest whilst enjoying the craic around the side of the park. There will be a range of different activities around the park with a barbeque and a raffle to help raise funds for shinty development in Lewis and Harris. Camanachd Leòdhais manager Paul Duke is looking forward to the day. “It will be a great occasion and will add to the good buzz around the club just now. The competition between the sides will be interesting and having teams come from the mainland will be a great learning experience for our players, young and old.” Duke also paid tribute to Craig Morrison. “Not a training session or match goes by where Craig’s presence is not missed. He was a true friend and a dedicated player. I hope his friends and the people of Lewis come out and support this event this year and that it goes from strength to strength in future years as a fitting tribute to Craig’s memory.” The tournament is only the beginning of a busy summer of shinty for Camanachd Leòdhais which will see Lochbroom visit Stornoway in August and a couple of possible fixtures on the mainland in September. Unfortunately the club will not be providing coaching in Harris this summer due to Feis na Hearadh being unable to take place but an invitation is extended to all Hearaich to come train in Stornoway. The big match later this month will be the now traditional Hebridean Celtic Festival Cup match between Lewis and Uist which is entering its fourth year and will be played on Saturday 17 July 2010 with throw up at 2pm. Uist won 3-0 last year and Lewis will be hoping to win back the trophy they won in 2007 and 2008. Stornoway Six A-Side Shinty Tournament for the Craig Morrison Shield - Saturday 3 July 2010 Stornoway Primary School Open Competition, 1pm to 4.30pm There will be a barbecue and other fundraising activities, donations welcome. More info at spanglefish.com/camanachdleodhais |