The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
MacDonald races Dublin deadline– Page54
● More ace optimistic of being ready for big challenge in Dublin
The Newtonmore midfield powerhouse Steven MacDonald is optimistic he will be fit to fly to Dublin for next weekend’s shinty-hurling international.
MacDonald has not played since injuring a shoulder in the Camanachd Cup final last month and will not play against Oban Camanachd at Mossfield tomorrow.
The 29-year-old said: “I’m getting there, with a steady improvement. I suffered a slight dislocation of the rotator cuff in my shoulder joint but it’s on the mend and I’ve having physio treatment in a rehab programme.
“Rest has been advised for this weekend and, in any case, there’s no point in playing and risk interfering with my recovery.
“Scotland manager Garry Reid is comfortable with the situation and says I can get on the plane as long as I feel OK. I hope that by the start of the week I can signal him that I’m ready.”
Meanwhile, Newtonmore top scorer Iain Robinson, who has a broken finger, plans to make his comeback at Oban in a cameo appearance to show his fitness for the under-21 international in Ireland.
MacDonald’s teammate Robinson missed the Camanachd final after breaking his finger in the abandoned first attempt to play the big match.
He said: “I got the cast removed last week and have tried hitting the ball this week and it’s gone OK. I’m looking to play as a substitute for 20 to 30 minutes at Oban, just to get some match sharpness.
“Under-21s manager Allan MacRae has been very encouraging and kept me in the picture,” he said.
“I’m delighted that it now seems likely that I can get my second international cap. I am inquiring about a glove to wear to protect my finger against the Irish.”
Defender Andy Mackintosh returns from suspension for Newtonmore while Oban skipper Daniel Cameron is also back from a ban.
The best Newtonmore can finish in the Premiership is in third place but Oban, who have
“I can get on the plane as long as I feel OK”
a game in hand on them, could yet grab second spot ahead of Lovat by winning their last three fixtures.
Oban are without Malcolm Clark (broken finger), and have a couple of availability issues.
Boss Steven Sloss has been successful in an appeal that, with two players in the senior international squad and three in the under-21s, Oban should not have to play at Kinlochshiel next weekend.
This fixture has been rearranged to November 9 and they visit Lochaber the following weekend in the game scrapped last Saturday after the Spean Bridge men failed to raise a team.