2010 Hebridean Celtic Festival Inter-Island Challenge Cup. | |
15 July 2010 The 2010 Hebridean Celtic Festival Inter-Island Challenge Cup match between Camanachd Leòdhais and Uist Camanachd takes place at Bayhead, Stornoway on Saturday 17 July 2010. Now in its fourth year, this trophy provides some much needed high profile competition for the two island teams who have made leaps and bounds forward in recent years in reinvigorating shinty in the Western Isles but are still unable to access regular competition on the mainland. A tight contest is expected with Lewis Camanachd, having lots of experience of cup shinty, up against a strong, athletic Uist side. Both Leòdhasach manager Paul Duke and Uidhisteach coach Lee Thompson can call on large squads, with both teams having players with Alba experience, such as Sean MacLeod and Keith MacDonald for Lewis and Uist respectively. The game often sees a couple of “secret weapons” drafted in on either side, taking advantage of bloodlines, to try and gain advantage over these Hebridean rivals. Speaking of the sporting battle, Caroline MacLennan, Festival Director, said: "The partnership of shinty and the Hebridean Celtic Festival is a unique and exciting one, reinvigorating old traditions in a new and vital way. "Shinty always provide festival-goers with an intense sporting spectacle as part of the Festival Fringe and the Festival provides a magnificent opportunity for the exposure of this excellent sport in the Outer Hebrides." The Festival will again be allowing the players the chance to experience the Festival’s Saturday night entertainment, this year provided by Runrig. Competition organiser Eoghan Stewart added “The match is going from strength to strength each year. Thanks are due to the Festival for the platform to promote shinty and also for their hospitality. The opportunity to catch Runrig will allow both sets of players to socialise afterwards. I have a sneaking suspicion the Runrig boys will be supporting Uist though! We should hopefully be finished in time to catch the Balliemore Cup Final at 4pm on BBC Alba as well!” This year, there will be a try-out “musicians” game for any festival-goer interested in having a shot at 1.30pm before the big game begins at 2pm. Entry is free but there will be an opportunity to make a donation towards both clubs which would be very welcome. Hebridean Celtic Festival Inter-Island Challenge Cup Camanachd Leòdhais v Uist Camanachd 2pm Bayhead Pitches, Stornoway |