Legend Mick calls time on physio role
Mick McGinn has hung up his sponge – but he’ll be as dedicated as ever as he urges his beloved Auchinleck to more glory.
The 67-year-old Talbot legend, who scaled the Beechwood fence as a kid to watch games, has retired as physio after 16 years.
But he will continue his lifelong affection for the club as a scout and diehard supporter while helping boss Tommy Sloan look for players.
Mick, who is being replaced by Jamie Monaghan, said: “I went from supporter to become player, coach and then physio.
“I was only supposed to be physio for two weeks to help out but two weeks turned into 16 years.
“I’ve supported Auchinleck all my days. I played six years for them as striker and was in the team that won the Jackie Scarlett Cup beating Irvine Meadow 3-2 at Dam Park in 1976, their first trophy since they won the Scottish Cup in 1948.
“I have had so many pleasurable and unbelievably successful times at the club and although I am stepping down as physio I will be as committed as ever.”
Mick, who also played for Kello, Lugar and arch rivals Cumnock where he became physio, was lured to Ayr United in 2004 as part of Robert Connor and Robert Reilly’s backroom team.
But he soon returned to first love Talbot working alongside close friends Sloan and Alan McLuckie.
Meanwhile, Talbot have landed a double boost with the return to the playing squad of experienced duo Dwayne Hyslop and Gordon Pope.
Stephen Wilson has rejoined Troon, Corey Pearson has signed for Kilbirnie, Hamish McKinlay has joined Clydebank while Dillon Young has been released.
Talbot kept up the heat on leaders Darvel by beating Kilbirnie 4-1 in midweek with goals from Bryan Boylan, Kieran Healy, Graham Wilson and Robbie McCracken.
On Saturday, they overcame a missed penalty to beat Blantyre 3-1 thanks to an OG and strikes from Keir Samson and Boylan.
Tonight (Wednesday), Talbot entertain Largs before heading to Bonnyton on Saturday.
DARVEL are the team to catch after following up a 2-1 midweek win at Beith to crush Rossvale 7-2. Allan Mackenzie hit a hat-trick with Darren Miller (penalty), Jordan Allan and Daryll Meggatt also on target.
Rivals will be looking for Darvel to slip up tonight when they head to Kilwinning followed by a trip to Cumbernauld on Saturday.
GLENAFTON showed their never-saydie spirit when they stormed back from 3-1 down with 15 minutes to go to draw 3-3 at Kilwinning.
After Mark Gilmour fired them ahead, Buffs turned the tables through Keiren Wood, Jordan Stuart and Ally McColm only for goals from David Blyth and Leon Murphy (penalty) to earn a point.
Glens, who blew an early lead through Murphy’s penalty in midweek to lose 2-1 to Hurlford, now have a home double against Clydebank and Benburb.
TROON have signed 18-year-old midfielder Andy Heaney on loan from Ayr and brought back old favourite Stephen
Wilson from Auchinleck.
But an agonising 1-0 home defeat by Clydebank – Joe Slattery headed the only goal eight minutes before the break – cost them valuable ground.
Troon had gone into the game on a high after a 4-2 midweek win over Rob Roy thanks to goals from Darren Miller, Josh Black, Sam Jamieson and Dean Fulton.
Cumbernauld visit Portland Park tonight while on Saturday Troon head to Kilbirnie.
CUMNOCK bounced back from a 2-1 midweek defeat at Clydebank where Callan Veitch scored a consolation to beat Largs 2-1.
Ruaridh McIntyre and Owen Nell scored before the break and although Will Sewell replied, ‘Nock held on.
Cumnock head to Rob Roy tonight and entertain Irvine Meadow on Saturday.
CRAIGMARK kept up their good form under first season boss Ryan Caddis with a 2-2 midweek draw against Muirkirk followed by a 3-1 win away to Maryhill.
Trailing after only 25 seconds to a Ged Dobbs strike, they struck back through Steven Tan, Grant Kirkwood and sub Mitchell Ewing.
‘Mark now have back to back home games against Shotts tonight and Lesmahagow on Saturday.
MAYBOLE, who have Robbie Hannah on the open to transfer list, welcome GIRVAN to Ladywell in a juicy Carrick derby on Saturday.
‘Bole lost to a 68th minute wonder goal away to Johnstone Burgh on Saturday, Nathan Marriott’s shot looping over Ally Semple after a great run by Gordon Meredith.
Their midweek game at home to
Arthurlie was abandoned after an injury to the visitors’ Conor Bradley who was taken to hospital.
Girvan managed only a Mark Curragh goal in a 5-1 home defeat by Arthurlie which followed a 1-0 midweek loss away to Forth. Matt Maley’s men meet Whitletts at Dam Park tonight.
MUIRKIRK followed up a 2-2 draw at Craigmark – John Hetherton and Jamie Gray got the goals – to beat Glasgow Uni 2-1 with strikes from Christian Nade and Kane O’Neill.
Muirkirk now face two on the road – against Maryhill tonight and Shotts on Saturday.
WHITLETTS drew 3-3 with Maryhill
in midweek with Isaac Kerr’s late header earning them a point after Cammy Ross and Marc Dyer had scored.
On Saturday, they were 2-1 winners away to Lesmahagow with goals from Dyer and Jordan Boyd putting them in the driving seat before Craig Forbes ensured a right finish.
Vics entertain Girvan tonight and Bellshill on Saturday.
LUGAR have conceded 10 goals in two games as they prepare to host Arthurlie tonight and Johnstone Burgh on Saturday.
Andy Reid scored a double in a midweek 5-1 defeat at home to Lesmahagow while they blew a 2-0 lead to crash 5-2 at Bellshill on Saturday.