News > 2009

19 May 2009

BBC ALBA ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF SHINTY GAMES FOR LIVE COVERAGE

BBC ALBA and the Camanachd Association, the world governing body of shinty, today (Tuesday) announced details of the five shinty games being broadcast on BBC ALBA.

The package of five live televised shinty games over the summer months will cover a series of cup finals taking place throughout June, July and August.

The specific games selected for live coverage are:

• MacTavish Cup Final, Bught Park, Inverness
Sat 13th June – throw up time 4pm

• Marine Harvest Clash of the Camans Final, An Aird, Fort William
Sat 20th June – throw up time 5.30pm

• Glasgow Celtic Society Cup Final, Old Anniesland Glasgow
Sat 27th June – throw up time 4pm

• Balliemore Cup Final, Playing Fields, Bute
Sat 18th July – throw up time 4pm

• The Aberdein Considine' Sutherland Cup Final, Playing Fields, Cannich
Sat 1st August – throw up time 4pm

Alan Esslemont, head of content for BBC ALBA, said: “Live television coverage of five of the main highlights throughout the shinty season is a tremendous sports package. We are delighted to provide such an attractive sports offering, allowing shinty fans throughout the country to enjoy, from the comfort of their own home, their favourite teams as they compete at grounds throughout the country.”

Donald Stewart, Director (Communications) for the Camanachd Association said: "This historic agreement will significantly raise the profile of our indigenous sport and provide new exposure for players at junior level which in turn, will help to improve the status and attractiveness of shinty to the youth of Scotland.”

Live coverage of shinty enhances BBC ALBA’s comprehensive sports package which includes three live televised First Division Football matches, live coverage of the SFL First Division play-off matches, ‘as-live’ broadcasting of SPL matches on Saturday nights and live coverage of this Sunday’s women’s Unite Scottish Cup Final.

BBC ALBA is a partnership between the BBC and MG ALBA, the Gaelic Media Service and is available on Sky channel 168 and on Freesat channel 110.