The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Lovat to four as fitness focus earns key reward
Shinty: Mackay’s team fires a warning for the new season
Lovat’s international attacker Lorne MacKay reckons his side is fitter than it has been for years for the new Marine Harvest Premiership campaign, which starts this weekend.
MacKay scored a double in the 4-0 home friendly win against Fort William to tune them up nicely for Saturday’s top-flight opener at champions Newtonmore.
The 29-year-old credits new manager Fraser Gallacher for bringing in fitness specialist Graham Heath to take the training sessions at Kiltarlity.
“We’ve struggled for early-season sharpness in the last few years,” said MacKay.
“But Graham’s arrival has made a big difference to our pre-season and we’re feeling the benefit of it.
“I’m feeling fitter than I’ve been for a couple of years after being plagued with injuries.
“We’ve a smaller squad this year because of departures and it’s more important than ever that we all play to the best of our ability more regularly than we did last year.”
Kevin Bartlett’s return to Caberfeidh robs Lovat of a prolific scorer and MacKay added: “We’ve left the onus on Kevin and Greg Matheson to deliver the goals and now the other forwards have to step up and help Greg.
“Craig Mainland is back from a serious injury and is being tried out as a forward.
“He scored another goal and played very well so he’s got a good chance of playing there in the opener at Newtonmore.”
Martin Bell was the other Lovat scorer against a young Fort William side.
Fort co-manager Victor Smith said: “We were without Mark Grant, Bryan Simpson, Sean Cameron, Graham Campbell and Daniel Stewart, but they should all be back for this weekend’s National Division opener at Oban Celtic.
“We didn’t play well, but we got 90 minutes under our belt that will stand us in good stead for the season ahead, which is going to be a challenge.
“I enjoyed watching Lorne MacKay’s display for Lovat, who played with confidence and passed the ball well.”
“The arrival of specialist Graham Heath has made a big difference to us”