Newtonmore defender now back home recovering from horror head injury
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Newtonmore defender Darrin Fowler is now back home as he continues his recover after suffering a fractured skull in the Blue and White's opening game of the season on Saturday.
The game away to Kinlochshiel was deep into eight minutes stoppage time when he was accidentally struck on the back of the head by a swinging stick leaving him cut and concussed.
Darrin took unwell on the way for a check-up at Inverness’ Raigmore Hospital resulting in an ambulance being called.
He was then transferred to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary which specialises in head injuries.
The family later revealed Darrin had undergone surgery which involved drilling and the removal of fractures pressing on the brain.
His dad Murray told the Strathy: “Darrin is physically well but still very disorientated. The operation went as good as it could have.
“Unfortunately the fracture has caused damage to the part of brain that works the visual side of things and until things settle down we will be unsure how much damage has been done.
“It’s now a matter of rest, recuperation and time.”
The family has thanked all those in the strath and the wider shinty community for all the messages of support that have flooded in since Darrin suffered the serious injury.
Murray said that his son had received hundreds of get well wishes, adding: "They mean a lot to Darrin, his family, his fiancée Shannin and the club."
The family has also praised Newtonmore captain Owen Fraser for his role after Darrin took unwell whilst they were heading to the Inverness hospital.
He said: "We would like to thank Owen for his prompt actions and the care he took of Darrin until the ambulance arrived."
The injury to Darrin and another to teammate Iain Robinson overshadowed what was an impressive 3-1 win over 'Shiel, who were the team of the season last time out.
Newtonmore co-manager Norman MacArthur said the thoughts of everyone at the club were with Darrin and his family for a full and speedy recovery, along with Iain Robinson.
The 22-year-old forward suffered a dislocated shoulder in the same match which was put back into place during the game but it was later confirmed to also be fractured.
MacArthur said: “The downside of the game was the injuries and we’ve been checking on both players. Darrin will clearly be out for some time and everyone wishes him well.
“The news on Iain (Robinson) isn’t as good as we’d first hoped.
"He had the dislocated shoulder but there is also a fracture so he’ll miss six to eight weeks.
“We only travelled with two substitutes on Saturday and then Kenny (Ross) twisted his back in the warm up so couldn’t play. We won’t do that again."
