Shinty: Caberfeidh boss says Craig Morrison will play coaching role during long-term injury lay-off

Caberfeidh manager Garry Reid plans to keep his ace full forward Craig Morrison as involved as possible as the Scottish international recovers from a serious knee injury.

Morrison had ACL reconstruction surgery on his knee last month so is unlikely to play shinty next season.

Garry Reid said: “I had a good meet up with Craig last week.

“He’s in good spirits after his operation, but recovery will take a while and it’s important he takes all the time he needs.

“I’ve asked him to help out as an assistant manager alongside Brian MacDonald this season, so it will be good that he is still involved.”

Reid is also pondering another change to his backroom team after fitness coach Gavin Campbell decided to move to Australia for a year.

He said: “Gavin will be a big miss for us as the players have really responded to his training.

“We haven’t replaced Gavin as yet and we’re looking at a couple of different options at the moment, but we’ll have a plan in place for the start of our pre-season training on January 10.”

Reid also welcomed a change of fortune when his side were paired with Fort William in the opening round of the Macaulay Cup, saying: “It is nice to be at home as it’s the first time over the last five cup draws that we’ve been given a home tie.

“Fort William have been one of the form teams for the last couple of years and will start as favourites having beaten us home and away last season.”

New Fort William boss Scott McNeil said: “I’ll not say whether it’s a good draw or not as it’s only a good draw if you win the tie.

“We have work to do before then and there are a couple of positional changes which I want to have a look at during our preseason games.”

Badenoch derby possibility

There is the possibility of a Badenoch derby between Newtonmore and Kingussie in the quarter-finals should More beat Kinlochshiel and the Kings get by Lochaber.

Newtonmore manager Peter Ross said: “Kinlochshiel are a big, strong side and I would say this is the tie of the round.”

On the prospect of a derby in the next round, Ross added: “We’ll not even think about that right now.”

Lovat manager Iain Nicolson will see his side host his former club, Skye Camanachd who include his cousins William MacKinnon and Ross MacKinnon.

He said: “I’m pleased we’re at home, especially against Skye who finished last season extremely well.

“We’ll be underdogs as we’re now playing in the league below, but from my own personal perspective and I’m obviously keen to get back the MacKinnon bragging rights!”

The 2025 runners-up Oban Camanachd welcome Inveraray and assistant manager Iain MacMillan said: “It’s been fantastic to have played in the last four Macaulay finals, and the only let-down is we’ve only managed to win one of them.

“Inveraray have been in the National Division for a while now, but their squad seems to be getting better each year.

“After a slow start last season, you could see them become stronger and they put a great run together, beating some good teams, and came very close to getting the second promotion place in the end.

“I’m sure they’ll see themselves pushing on again next season and having a go at getting back into the Premiership. We’ll look at it as being a game against a Premiership team, and we’ll need to be at our best to get through the tie.

“The Macaulay final is a huge day on the shinty calendar and I think the Macaulay Association do a great job of running the event.”

Kyles Athletic will be without James Pringle when they host Glasgow Mid Argyll. The former Skye player will spend a year in Australia. Oban Celtic welcome Aberdour and Col Glen are at home to Bute.

[Source: Press and Journal]