LOVATLOSEKEYPLAYER

Lovat marksman Marc MacLachlan has shocked the Kiltarlity men by revealing that he is parting company with them after three seasons.

The 27-year-old plumber took time out of the game after leaving Beauly and considered quitting before making a successful comeback at Lovat.

He scored a spectacular last-gasp winner in the 2017 Camanachd Cup semi-final against Oban then played in the final, gaining a runners-up medal against Newtonmore.

MacLachlan then gained another runnersup medal against the same opponents in the 2018 final.

Jamie Matheson, manager of the Balgate Park club, said: “Marc has informed me that he will not be playing for us this year.

“He tells us he is taking time out, so we’ll wait and see if he signs for any other team.

“He’s been a very good man to have around since the club gave him a comeback chance but we’ve got options with good young lads coming through, so we’ll focus on them.”

Inverness manager Calum Macleod has signed Michael Macmillan from Lochcarron for the Bught Park club’s North First Division campaign.

The former Scotland under-21 goalkeeper made his comeback for the Wester Ross side two years ago as an attacker.

Macleod said:

“Michael will play outfield for us but he’s always an option if we develop a keeper shortage.

“His sister Katie plays for our women’s team so we’re pleased Michael is making our club a family affair.”

He added: “We’re bringing youngsters Rory Maclennan, Finlay

Calder, Ruaridh Mackay and Ian Hunter into our first-team squad.

“That will free up spaces in the second team for some of the talented young players coming through from our Inverness Shinty Academy.

“We now have 400 players playing weekly in the academy, which is going from strength to strength.”

The Inverness club’s superb outreach effort has resulted in local primary schools starting up their first-ever shinty team.

Craig Nicolson will captain the city side this season, while Daniel Palombo, voted the club’s player of the year, will continue in defence.

All the weekend shinty fell victim to Storm Dennis, including Kingussie’s home game with Skye.

The champions’ manager, John Gibson, said: “We were able to train indoors at Dalfaber in Aviemore and Lee Bain, who has been travelling in Asia, was able to have his first session, which is encouraging.”

“He’s been a very good man to have around, but we have options”

EYE-BALL FOCUS: Marc MacLachlan, left, who has decided to take a break from shinty, in action for Lovat as Kingussie’s Calum Grant comes in with the challenge