Inverness could be handed promotion surprise
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DESPITE finishing bottom of the North Division One last season, Inverness could be in line for a surprise promotion to the Marine Harvest National Division.
Prior to the recent league reorganisation taking place, Inverness looked to be heading in the opposite direction — facing relegation into North Division Two — but were saved when clubs backed a revamp which, among other changes, saw North Division One increased to ten teams ensuring Inverness’s safety.
But as the 2015 competition entry forms began to land on the Camanachd Association’s desk it emerged that Bute had decided that they did not wish to continue in the National Division, reducing that league to an unworkable seven teams.
Invitations were sent out to other eligible clubs but one by one they have declined to take part. The latest club to reject the chance to play at a level just below the Orion Premiership is Strathglass, who confirmed their decision to the ruling body just last week.
A club spokesman explained the thinking behind the decision to say no.
"We gave it serious consideration but it was pretty unanamous decision that we turn it down," he said. "The club is in the middle of a fairly major rebuilding project and the offer has just come too soon. Our plan is to go with a young team and it is clear that we are just not ready for such a big step-up."
With South Division One side Oban Celtic also choosing to stay in area league shinty the options for the ruling body begin to come rather limitedand may come down to a choice between Inverness and Aberdour.
Torquil Macleod from the Camanachd Association was giving little away in mid week saying only that it was hoped to resolve the issue very shortly.
"The Association’s Competitions Committee will meet next week and they will make their recommendation which will be presented to the board a week later. We are optimistic that a resolution can be found," he said.
Meanwhile Inverness manager Drew MacNeil strongly recommends that the Highland Capital club seize the opportunity if it is offered.
"I would love to give it a go," he said. "It would be a huge challenge but I believe that you should always try to test yourself at the highest level. We have a lot of experience in our squad and I really believe that this could be the boost that the club needs."
Meanwhile the Camanachd Association has confirmed that Ullapool-based side Lochbroom will not be entering a team into the Marine Harvest North Division Two in the forthcoming season.
Team-raising difficulties has forced the club into abeyance but it is hoped that the nucleus of the side can be absorbed into either Lochcarron or Kinlochshiel with a view to re-launching in the future.
Also in Wester Ross, North Division One side Lochcarron have decided not to take part in any cup competitions in 2015 for fear of demoralising defeats. Under league reorganisation The New Battery Park side are prevented from competing in the junior cup competitions, the Sutherland and Strathdearn Cups.
Instead under the competitions structure they were eligible to enter the senior knock-out competitions including The MacTavish, Balliemore and Camanachd Cups, which could have paired them against teams such as Newtonmore and Kingussie.
