The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Mackintosh blow for Glens
Shinty: International goalkeeper to miss start of Premiership campaign
Glen Urquhart’s international goalkeeper Stuart Mackintosh is to miss their opening Marine Harvest Premiership games.
Mackintosh is making progress after knee surgery, but his hopes have been dashed of being fit for the opening league game at Kilmallie on March 4 giving Glen a goalkeeper headache.
New manager Ian Macleod, who deputised in goal late last season after Mackintosh’s injury, said: “Stuart won’t be ready for the Premiership start. It’s a real setback as he’s such a key player, but we won’t rush him back too soon and risk the knee breaking down.
“My focus will be on managing, so I’m not a candidate to replace him. I’m trying out different people in goal every week to help me decide who’ll play in the Premiership.”
Glen are strengthened by the return of Norwaybased oilmen John Barr and Andrew Corrigan for the first time this year and the experienced duo will face Skye at Drumnadrochit tomorrow.
Oban Celtic’s new captain Daniel Madej and Neil Carmichael, voted the club’s player of the year, are on holiday and miss the game against Kilmallie at Mossfield.
Manager Kenny Wotherspoon said: “We’ve a full squad otherwise and I’m encouraged by the early form of new signing s Fulton Ronald from Glen orchy and Ross Macmillan from Oban Camanachd, who are settling in well at half back.”
Kilmallie will be without Liam Cameron, Alan Macdonald, Calum McDougall and captain Peter Carmichael and manager Mark MacPherson said: “It’s our first game against Celtic for more than 20
“Won’t rush him back too soon and risk the knee breaking down”
years – even when I played we never met them.”
Ewen Maclennan, who came off with a back problem last week, is likely to be fit to return for Oban Camanachd, who make the long trip to Strathglass with the M ur do Mackenzie Cup at stake.
Kingussie welcome back new captain Ryan Borthwick and Bob MacGregor for the game against Beauly at the Dell while champions Newtonmore are back to full strength for their home match against Inverness, who have David Glass back.
Fort William have Bryan Simpson, Jack Fraser, Niall MacPhee and Daniel Stewart unavailable for the trip to Kinlochshiel, but Sean Cameron returns.