The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Friendlies offering belated chance for young trio to shine
Glen Urquhart hope a run of friendly matches will kickstart the careers of a talented trio who were robbed of their first senior season by Covid-19.
Nineteen-year-olds Josh Macdonald-Haig and Jamie Maclennan and 20-year-old Liam Robertson will face Beauly at Drumnadrochit tomorrow and take on Fort William home and away in the following weekends.
Co-manager and goalkeeper Stuart Mackintosh said: “This season was due to be the launchpad for these lads as far as senior shinty was concerned.
“We promoted them to the first-team squad, they did the work and then lockdown aborted the entire campaign.
“Josh is a forward while Jamie and Liam play in midfield and they are really exciting prospects, important for this club’s future.
“The three lads are naturally extremely disappointed at missing their first National Division season but these friendlies give them the chance to train with the first team, blend into the line- up and gain important experience.
“The idea is they will play in all our matches so that they will get into the senior routine and feel the benefit of that next season,” he added.
Mackintosh said Glen will be without a couple of players working away from home, including former international Andy Corrigan, who is working offshore.
David Maclean, who has rejoined Beauly after a successful spell with Newtonmore, missed the Brae view Park club’ s opener against Fort William last weekend due to a family commitment in Skye.
But he is poised to return in a Green and White jersey for the trip to Blairbeg Park.
Co-managers Roger Cormack and Jamie Maclennan are set to field up to four players from their own under-17 team.
The senior game, which begins at 3pm, will be preceded by a second team clash between the same clubs, with a noon start.
Fort William have made strong efforts to arrange a game for tomorrow but have been unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, Camanachd Cup holders Newtonmore, who are not playing, are already concerned about where they will be able to train in January for the new season.
Manager Orston Gardner said: “Fort William will have a big advantage with their new floodlit pitch at An Aird, but we could be in a real mess.
“Coronavirus regulations are likely to mean that we’ll be unable to access the Kingussie High School allweather pitch or the Aviemore 3G one and training indoors may also be banned.
“It will be a real headache for more clubs than ours.”
But Gardner hailed the award of the British Empire Medal to club chieftain and former player Rob Ritchie, also a noted Highland games heavy events athlete, coach and judge.
He said: “Rob’s award has given a fabulous lift to a village which is sorely missing its shinty.
“He does so much for the community and everyone at the club is really delighted that he’s to be rewarded in this way.”