The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
MacRae vows to put three years of hurt behind him
Early end to season has helped Kinlochshiel player conquer injury
Kinlochshiel hitman Keith MacRae is determined to make up for lost time this autumn after almost three years of being plagued with injury.
The 33-year-old electrical engineer, who works and lives in Kyle of Lochalsh, has finally worked his way back to full fitness and is hoping the introduction of localised leagues will see him bounce back.
Crackshot Keith has been a key man in the Wester Ross club’s rise and his injuries have been a setback to the team and robbed him of his regular spot in the Scotland shinty-hurling attack.
He said: “My knee was in a bit of a mess and when rest failed to heal it, I underwent an operation in 2018 and started a programme of rehabilitation.
“That year was a washout and last year I made my comeback for Shiel, though far from 100% fit. But in June I broke my wrist against Glasgow Mid Argyll, when I was caught by the stick of ex-teammate John Don Mackenzie, and that was my season finished.
“I still wasn’t as fit as I could be when the build-up began to this Premiership season, being frightened to do too much running in case the knee was damaged again.”
Shiel lost 1-0 at Newtonmore on the opening – and closing – day of the season, with home goalkeeper Owen Fraser defying them.
MacRae said: “I was sick when the season was ended so quickly but it’s turned out to be a blessing in disguise because the lack of action has allowed the knee to rest and I feel it’s now fully healed.
“As a result, I’ve been busy cycling and running and getting myself into real condition once more.
“This has made me really determined to make up for lost time and I’m really geared up for local league matches in two or three months’ time.
“Next year I’ll be raring to go as I think Shiel have a stronger squad and can chase further major honours.”
MacRae added: “Ruaridh Macdonald from Glengarry is a great acquisition and he’s desperate to get going, while having Oliver MacRae back from Mid Argyll is another bonus.
“And youngsters WD MacRae and Duncan Mathieson have come through well to offer us more pressure for places, which we’ve perhaps lacked and which we need to be really competitive.”
Lovat have launched an online lottery to help cushion their financial losses due to the coronavirus crisis.
The Kiltarlity club have lost sponsorship income, gate money and hospitality takings from their new clubhouse and their normal lottery sales shrunk sharply due to lockdown.
President John MacRitchie said: “We’ve just laid 100 tonnes of sand on the pitch and added fertiliser and weedkiller to help the surface benefit from the lack of play.
“So we’ve been innovative by starting up an online lottery, with the first draw on Monday and already it’s quite a success, with sales from as far away as New Zealand.
“Exiles all over the UK have bought tickets.
“We’ve even had some people buying 10 weeks’ tickets and a year’s subscription to help club funds and it’s greatly appreciated.
“When the pandemic is over, we’ll continue to run the online lottery alongside a reintroduced ‘paper tickets’ one.”