Management changes already under way
WITH the 2016 shinty season coming to a close, there will be some high profile managerial changes with at least three of this year’s Marine Harvest Premiership sides looking for new management teams ahead of next season.
Jones and Anderson step down at Kingussie
KINGUSSIE have already confirmed that co-managers Russell Jones and Davie Anderson have stepped down.
Their last game in charge was a goal-less draw with Kyles Athletic at Tighnabruaich a fortnight ago which secured the team a fifth place finish in the league.
The highpoint of Jones and Anderson’s tenure came in 2014 when they beat Glenurquhart 4- 0 at the Bught Park to lift the Camanachd Cup.
They now feel the time is right for a new manager with new ideas to take the club forward.
Their replacement will be decided at the club’s annual general meeting at the end of November.
Both Russell Jones and Davie
Skye Camanachd boss MacLeod leaves post
Anderson will continue their association with Kingussie where Russell is president and Davie is a committee member. THERE will also be a change at Skye Camanachd where first team manager John MacLeod has also decided to stand down.
MacLeod took the helm at Skye Camanachd in 2014 when the team had reached a low ebb, dropping to shinty’s third tier.
They went on to win the Marine Harvest North Division 1 title in his first season in charge before going on to defeat Marine Harvest South Division 1 winners Ballachulish to gain promotion.
MacLeod’s side also lifted Balliemore Cup that season, again overcoming Ballachulish, as well as reaching the Camanachd Cup semi-finals before losing out to Glenurquhart.
Skye’s main objective in 2015 was to win promotion from the Marine Harvest National Division and they did just that, only dropping one point in the process of clinching the title, to earn top-flight status for the first time since 2002.
Skye’s first season in shinty’s top division ultimately ended in relegation. However, the islanders competed well, winning two and drawing eight of their 18 fixtures. The mid-table was incredibly tight with only three points separating fifth-placed Kingussie and ninth-placed Skye Camanachd.
MacLeod informed his players after the defeat to Newtonmore in their final fixture of the season last weekend that he would be standing down and he also informed the club’s committee of his decision.
Skye Camanachd chairman Douglas MacDougall said: ‘We are disappointed to see John go but totally respect his decision which, in fairness, was always based on a three-year management plan where he indicated he would step down after that period.
‘The club is indebted to John for his commitment to youth and senior shinty over several years and it is obvious we have many individuals throughout several teams who are better players because of his endeavours.
‘We also have our club name on numerous trophies and have had a taste of premiership shinty, which is a standard we will return to.
‘There are very few who will understand the amount of work that goes into planning for a game and the amount of time taken up with calls and messages.
‘The club would also like to thank John’s wife Dorothy for her patience and support. We wish John all the best for the future and no doubt will see him as an eager and vocal supporter on the sidelines next season.’
Skye Camanachd’s annual general meeting takes place in early December.
The task of sourcing a new manager is delegated to the club’s committee though and they hope to have MacLeod’s replacement in post at the earliest opportunity.
All change at the Glen
GLENURQUHART become the third Marine Harvest Premiership side to begin the hunt for a new management team after co-managers Billy MacLean and Dave Menzies ended their tenure at the Blairbeg club.
The duo spent three years in what was their second period in charge.
They led the club to RBS MacTavish Cup success in 2015 when they beat Newtonmore 3-1 in the final.
Player unavailability and injuries left the team battling in the lower half of the league for most of this season but a late rally, taking four out of their last six points, saw them climb to a credible sixth-placed finish.
With the club’s annual general meeting scheduled for this week, Glenurquhart hope to make a speedy announcement on the managerial vacancy.
Lewis Camanachd confirms new management team
LEWIS Camanachd manager Duncan MacIntyre has named his management team for the 2017 shinty season.
Influential midfielder Paul Duke will captain the side while Peter Gomez will be vice- captain.
Ally Lamont continues as fitness coach while John Macaskill will be the assistant shinty coach and first aider.
In other changes, Eoghan Stewart has ended his association with Lewis Camanachd after 10 years in the fold while top scorer Will Church has announced his retirement.