THE sport's ruling body is considering a request from clubs in Inverness-shire to rearrange their May 30 Camanachd Cup fixtures due to a diary clash with football's Scottish Cup final.

John Hughes' Inverness Caledonian Thistle face Falkirk at Hampden on the same day that Inverness face Oban and Beauly play Skye in shinty's major trophy.

Players from the Inverness sides hope to attend the football match and some have already purchased tickets, forcing the clubs to seek accommodations from The Camanachd Association.

The clubs in question, who are not entitled to a cancellation, made early requests and ruling directors were looking at all the possible implications yesterday.

The Camanachd Association's chief operating officer, Torquil Macleod, said: "We have received the request from the clubs and it is being considered at present. We hope to be able to make a decision in the next few days."

Drew MacNeil, the former manager of Inverness and Scotland, hopes the sport's governors take account of 'particular' circumstances and enable the players, many of whom are Caledonian Thistle supporters, to head for Glasgow.

"It is not often that a Highland team plays in the Scottish Cup final and I understand a precedent was set five years ago when Ross County made the final.

"Basically, all our senior players and reserves want to go to Hampden that day and, if the request is not granted, we could be in a situation of having to scratch from the tie with Oban."

Meanwhile, Newtonmore and Kinlochshiel face each other today at Kirkton for a place in the RBS McTavish Cup final in June.

Kinlochshiel have never reached a senior final but will start this afternoon's crunch as underdogs.