Sunday Balliemore Cup Final Set For Lewis | |
01 April 2013 The Balliemore Cup Final will take place for the first time at Lewis Camanachd’s Shawbost Pitch on Sunday 14 July 2013. After the successful 2011 final at Skye Camanachd’s Pairc nan Laoch pitch, the Camanachd Association has decided to go the extra mile and take the intermediate championship game to the Western Isles for the very first time. The park, on the West Side of Lewis, is 20 miles from Stornoway and is situated next to Sgoil Shiaboist with beautiful Atlantic views. It has hosted Lewis Camanachd’s home games since 2011. The home ground of Lewis Camanachd has been rated as having one of the finest surfaces in the sport by none other than shinty historian, Hugh Dan MacLennan. Camanachd Association Competitions Director Richard Gall said, “We understand that it’s a bit to travel but we’re really hoping that it’s a final between two teams from the South which will help add to the occasion. The final will also take place in Lewis on a Sunday which is really exciting and we believe this move will attract a large number of locals to the game. The Cast Ewe Ceilidh Band has been booked to play at the after-match reception as we believe their box player Iain Cameron, who plays shinty for Kinlochshiel, is the best accordionist in shinty. He is certainly better than the guy from Fort William and the bloke from Glenurquhart.” Lewis Camanachd Chairman Paul Duke said “It’s a great honour to have the Balliemore Cup held in Lewis. We’ll try and guarantee a great event for all concerned although we should make everyone aware that they should book their ferry tickets now in order to avoid the rush. Caledonian MacBrayne will be offering special deals for shinty fans with music and refreshments provided on the crossings. Iain Sinclair will be driving the minibus to Tarbert to pick up any fans who want to come over that way.” Shawbost is also believed to be the back-up pitch should An Aird be unavailable for the 2013 Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final. |