Newtonmore player recovering after suffering suspected fractured skull in opening game of season
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A Newtonmore player is recovering after sustaining a serious head injury just seconds before the end of their win in the opening game of the season.
Defender Darrin Fowler has to undergo brain surgery at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary yesterday morning but his family has reported that the operation went well for a suspected fractured skull.
The severity of the injury marred Newtonmore’s impressive 3-1 Mowi Premiership win over Camanachd Cup and MacTavish Cup holders Kinlochshiel at Rèaraig on Saturday.
There were just seconds of the eight minutes stoppage remaining before referee John Angus Gillies blew for time when Darrin was struck on the back of the head by a caman in a freak accident leaving him cut and concussed.
He was initially taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness but then transferred to Aberdeen which specialises in head injuries.
In a message on Newtonmore Camanachd’s Facebook page, the family later revealed that Darrin had undergone surgery on Sunday morning which involved drilling and the removal of fractures that were pressing on the brain.
The post yesterday stated: "Darrin got transferred from Raigmore to Aberdeen last night to undergo surgery this morning. Surgery went well and they have managed to drill and remove the factured parts that were pressing on the brain.
"He's morphined up just now and the doc says everything went well."
The family thanks all those who have contacted them with messages of support.
They said: "We can't answer everyone back but we are grateful for the support.... All going well (Darrin) will be transferred back to Raigmore or staying here then home hopefully in the next few days."
Many good wishes for the popular player have poured in from across the shinty community wishing the defender a full recovery.
It was not the only serious injury in the game.
A fair challenge between ‘Shiel defender Mark MacDonald and Iain Robinson just five minutes into the second half left the ‘More attacker with a dislocated shoulder.
But this was quickly corrected by local osteopath John Don MacKenzie who was on the touchline and is involved with the west coast side.
