Wise heads will help Kingussie seconds' promotion push
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New Kingussie second team co-manager John Gibson and Russell Jones are putting together their squad for the new shinty season.
The recent appointment of two winners at senior level immediately sends a message to the Red and Blues players.
Gibson said: “It’s early days and we haven’t played anyone yet but we’re getting things up and running.
“There has been a really good turnout at training with over 20 second team players present for the last three weeks.
“It was really difficult for Dawsie (Craig Dawson) last season as he wasn’t able to field a settled side and he missed the contribution of two or three older heads on a regular basis to help guide the younger players.
“These are the things we’ll try to address ahead of the new season and there will a lot of changes so that we have the right blend in the side.
“To give us that bit of experience, Fraser Munro has committed to playing for the seconds, whilst Lee Bain will also start the season with the second team.
“Paul Gow is making a comeback, and he’s been at every training session, whilst James Hutchison has said he will help out.
“These boys alone will make a massive difference and help the younger guys who will make up the rest of the squad.
“We are where we are as far as playing in North Division 2 goes.
“We won’t beat ourselves up about it though and we’ll use it as a positive and build again.
“We’ll look to get a good run of games together at the beginning of the season and earn a few wins to build confidence.”
The Kingussie seconds have arranged friendly matches against Aberdour at Silversands on Saturday 10 February, at home to Inverness a week later and at home to Glasgow Mid Argyll on Saturday 24 February, a week ahead of the start of the new season.
Meantime, after cancelling their annual dinner dance in early December, when the previous season’s player of the year awards would have been handed out, Kingussie will now hold a social evening at Kingussie Golf Club on Saturday 3 February when the awards presentations will take place.
This event is open to everyone.
• The Newtonmore second team has also been busy putting together their pre-season programme.
Peter Ross will take his side to play Mowi National Division side Oban Celtic at Mossfield on Saturday 3 February.
‘More face National Division opposition again a week later when they welcome Col Glen.
Several of Newtonmore’s promising youngsters are likely to get their chance against Mowi South Division 1 side Ardnamurchan at Strontian on Saturday 17 February 2024 and the blue and whites complete their month of friendly matches at home to Kilmory on Saturday 24 February 2024, a week ahead of the start of the new shinty season.
