One spot up for grabs in shinty's National Division
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WITH the deadline for shinty competition entries for the 2015 season being last Friday, it was forecast that at least one team would opt out of the reinstated National Division.
In the inaugural season of the second tier of the National structure, two teams in particular, Glenorchy and Bute, struggled to cope with the travelling demands leading to a catalogue of defeats.
One of these, Bute has made the decision not to take up its place next season. After a player poll at Glenorchy’s recent AGM, the vote went in favour of the club retaining their National Division status, however the Dalmally club are under no illusions that their player resources will be stretched to the limit to complete another season in the national structure.
The game’s governing body have now to tackle the issue of finding a replacement for Bute.
By 2014 league placings, Strathglass and Oban Celtic are the next in line for a place in the National Division.
Strath were third in North Division One, whilst Celtic finished in a similar position in South Division One, and due to the respective runners-up in each of these divisions, Newtonmore and Kyles Athletic being reserve sides ineligible to compete at national level, it is likely that both these clubs will be approached to ascertain their level of interest regarding moving up a division.
Commenting on Bute’s decision, Torquil MacLeod, chief executive of the Camanachd Association, said: "We’d anticipated it and there’s a discussion now just to take place with a number of clubs, and with the board to decide who is going to step up and take that spot."
Celtic are understood to be against such a step having already considered the matter some time ago at a club meeting and have said that if an offer came their way, they would decline it.
That leaves Strathglass who are unwilling to comment on the prospect of playing at a higher level stating that they would make a decision after discussing the merits at a club meeting, but would only do so if they receive an approach from the Camanachd Association.
It is not inconceivable that other clubs could be brought in to the equation. From last year’s North Division One line-up, other than Strathglass, only Inverness are eligible due to five of the teams being reserve sides who according to the rules, are debarred from featuring in the top two leagues. Inverness finished in bottom place managing just win over their 14-match programme.
In the South, there are more possibilities with four of the five teams finishing below Oban Celtic being eligible. These teams in order of finish are Aberdour, Strachur, Taynuilt and Kilmory.
