Skye Camanachd Await News Of Marine Harvest National Division Fate | |
25 September 2014 Skye Camanachd are awaiting news from the Camanachd Association following Ballachulish’s decision not to take part in the scheduled Marine Harvest National Division play-off tie at Blairbeg on Saturday 27 September 2014. The Jubilee Park side issued a statement on the morning of Thursday 25 September 2014 which confirmed that they would not take part in the match. The Camanachd Association issued their response later in the day. Skye Camanachd were first contacted about this situation by Ballachulish on the afternoon of Wednesday 24 September 2014. Ballachulish informed Skye that they had been in touch with the Camanachd Association for the past week, informing them that they were most unhappy about coming into this weekend’s play-off match on the back of a three/four week lay-off and they felt the remaining league matches should have been scheduled first. Ballachulish told Skye that the Camanachd Association said they did not want to change the fixture as there were international training sessions to be catered for but Balla’ felt these should not take priority over shinty league fixtures which are played all season long. Ballachulish then decided to pull out of the play-off tie. The Camanachd Association subsequently asked Ballachulish to ask Skye if they would be prepared to reschedule the play-off for 1 November 2014 or possibly a date in October 2014. Ballachulish duly did this and contacted Skye Camanachd on the afternoon of Wednesday 24 September 2014 when the clubs had a courteous exchange of e-mails. Skye felt this was very short notice with the match just three days away but took time to consider their response before informing Ballachulish of their view later that evening. Skye Camanachd discussed the matter and were keen that the play-off went ahead on the scheduled date. Skye Camanachd recognised that Ballachulish hadn’t played since Saturday 30 August 2014 whilst Skye Camanachd’s last match was a week later on Saturday 6 September 2014. Ballachulish have one league fixture remaining whilst Skye had two league matches to go. Skye have been preparing for Saturday’s match since the date for the play-off was first mooted over a couple of weeks ago. They had a full squad available and players had arranged time off work etc. to ensure they were all available. Skye would not be in such a fortunate position on the October date as their first team manager was abroad on holiday and, following a long season and with the play-off date confirmed, Skye had cleared some first team players to take holidays during October as they felt they had a big enough squad to play the final league fixtures – neither of which will affect the club’s final league position. Skye also felt they felt that the 1 November 2014 date was just too far ahead. The 1 November 2014 date would mean that Ballachulish had only played one competitive match during the whole of September and October which Skye suggested was arguably worse than the current situation. Skye would have only had two competitive matches over seven Saturdays ahead of this date which they also considered far from ideal. The proposed dates would have left Skye at a disadvantage and Skye apologised for not being able to be more accommodating and Ballachulish confirmed that they understood our reasons. Skye Camanachd now awaits the Camanachd Association’s view of events. This must have been a difficult decision for Ballachulish to reach and Skye Camanachd wishes them every success in the future. |