The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Ritchie bowing out at the top for More
Goalkeeper to hang up gloves at 43
Newtonmore goalkeeper Michael Ritchie has opted to step down from the first team after quarter of a century’s stalwart service in senior shinty for the Eilan club.
Ritchie confirmed the 2-1 win against Oban Camanachd at Inverness, which wrapped up the Premiership title-winning season forMore, was his finale after a phenomenal firstteam career.
Now43, but still a fitness enthusiast, Ritchie said: “There has to be a right time to step down and this is mine, although the manager is still trying to talkme out of it.
“It’s good to leave when you’re still wanted. I’m not leaving the team in the lurch because there’s an excellent second team goalkeeper inOwenFraser who deserves the chance to step up to Premiership level.
“I’d rather give Owen his opportunitythanbeablock to him. Too many youngsters drift away from the game because they’re kept waiting for a route into the first team.
“I’ll be happy to play in the second team if needed and stay involved with the club in any capacity that’s required. But 25 years in the first team is a really good innings and it’s satisfying to bow out with my sixth successive Premiership medal.”
Michael is the son of former player David and has enjoyed playing alongside hisownson, Craig, who has just turned 18, in the first team this season. The painter and decorator, has been recognised as one of the game’s outstanding goalkeepers over such an extended period and his departure from the senior side is the end of an era.
The first of his two Camanachd Cup winners medals, in 2011, is his greatest shinty memory.
“We hadn’t won the cup in 25 years and it was a real monkey on our back. The game against Kingussie at Inverness had everything – and we won it in extra time to end that long wait,” he added
Ritchie also picked up three MacTavish and two Macaulay Cup winners medals in his career and said: “I played in the bad
“It’s great the club has now enjoyed such a sustained run of success”
times for Newtonmore, when we were nearly relegated. It’s great the club has now enjoyed such a sustained run of success. Being able to bow out whenNewtonmore is still dominant is very satisfying.”
Manager Paul John Mackintosh said: “Michael has been amagnificent servant to shinty in Newtonmore, on and off the pitch. He’s been a superb goalkeeper, extremely fit and sharp for his age because he looks after himself.
“He’s been a first-class example to our younger players, a dedicated performer and is admired and respected by all connected with the club.
“His saves have rescued us countless times down the years and Michael’s consistency played a key part in the team’s success.” Sixteen- year- old Ross Macmillan made his firstteam debut for Oban Camanachd in Saturday’s 2-1 Marine Harvest Premiership defeat toNewtonmore at Inverness and showed he will be a name to remember.
Manager Ian Hay said: “Garry MacKerracher called off so I drafted in young Ross to give him his chance, as he’s looked very promising with our reserve and juvenile teams.
“Wewereshort-staffed so I asked Ross to play at half back against the Premiership’s leading scorer, Glen Mackintosh. His performance in preventing Glen from scoring was really impressive. He was excellent and showed he is definitely an exciting player for the future.”
Oban and Kyles Athletic have agreed to play their postponed game at Tighnabruaich next Saturday in the final Premiership fixture of the season, although the promotionrelegation play-off between Kingussie and Kilmallie is still to come to Inverness on November 28.
Kyles were unhappy about playing this weekend because they will have National player of the year Grant Irvine, plus leading scorer Roddy Macdonald and full back CalumMiller, playing for Scotland in the shinty- hurling international in Dublin.
Oban have Daniel Cameron in the Scotland team but goalkeeper Gavin Stobbart and defender Scott Macmillan are flying to Ireland to cheer on the Scots at Croke Park.
“Ross was excellent and showed he is an exciting player”
Hay said: “Neither team wanted to play on international day but the Camanachd Association is keen to avoid the season drifting into December, so we’ve accepted the game will now go on. We’ve been told if the Kyles pitch is unplayable then the game will be switched to Oban.”
After Oban’s morning dash to Inverness for a home game, with only one substitute, they put up sterling resistance to thechampions in what turned out to be an excellent match.
DanielCamerongave the Argyll men an interval lead but former international Norman Campbell scored two goals in the second half to turn things round.
The result means Newtonmore finish the season 10 points clear of Kyles, who still have one game remaining. The champions have rattled in 63 goals, a sign of their dominance, with Mackintosh leading the way with 35 goals. Garry MacPherson, playermanager of recently-relegated Premiership side Inveraray, will not be in charge for the club’s National Division campaign.
The veteran, one of the game’s most skilful players, is keen to continue to give the club his services on the field, but feels he can best do that without the managerial responsibilities.
“We’ll be holding a players’ meeting before Christmas to discuss what commitments each will make when we begin training in January,” said MacPherson.“Myownmindismade up that I will no longer be manager. It’s been increasingly difficult to do both jobs. I want to carry on as a player.
“It’s a reliefmy full focus will be on making the best of the remainder of my playing career.”
MacPherson looked to have steered Inveraray to the Camanachd Cup final when he put them ahead in extra time in the semi-final against Lovat at Fort William, and the controversial decision to disallow his goal still rankles at the Winterton Park club.
He feels his successor will have a good chance of leading the Argyll men back to the top flight at the first attempt.
“We ’ v e some very promising youngsters but itwasunfair to rely soheavily on them when injuries struck,” said MacPherson.
“Dropping down a level, and winning games, will do wonders for their development. Being relegated could turn out to be a very good thing, giving us time to regroup.
“The youngsters’ confidence understandably took a hit with our run of poor results, but the experience they’ve gained can help them to be really geared up for our National Division debut in March.”