Manx side were only picked as third reserve for Orkney 2025
The Isle of Man women's national football team not making the main draw for the 2025 Island Games is being described as 'a huge blow' for the Manx game.
During this week's draws for the football competitions for the Orkney games next summer, the Isle of Man did not get a place in the main women's draw of 12 teams and were the last ball to be drawn in third reserve.
As a result, it's all but certain that the bronze medal winners in the previous competition in Guernsey last year won't be taking part in the event in less than 12 months time.
Separately the Isle of Man men's team did earn a spot in the men's main draw.
Manx Radio's football correspondent Tony Mepham says it's a big shame for a team which beat three other Island nations to silverware and won the Cherry Godfrey Cup only a few weeks ago:
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