New Kilmallie boss Liam MacDonald pledges to give it his all

After two operations on a knee injury, Liam took his doctor’s advice, ending his playing career in his mid-30s. He was one of the favourites with the Kilmallie support and was part of the side which were edged out 5-4 after extra-time by Kingussie in the 2010 MacTavish Cup Final.

Despite being marked by the elegant Rory Fraser that afternoon, Macdonald was named man of the match and it’s a game he remembers well.

He said: "We trailed 3-2 at half-time but led 4-3 with around 10 minutes remaining. Ronald Ross scored the winner with practically the last hit of the ball though.

"We also had a close one in the Camanachd Cup semi-finals against Newtonmore, only losing out on penalties and I think I was the only Kilmallie player to score my penalty."

Macdonald has a captain’s silver mounted caman as a Balliemore Cup winner and his club form was recognised at the highest level with four senior international caps and two for the Scotland under-21s.

"Since I stopped playing," he said, "I’ve gone down to the Canal to watch the team whenever I could and I think we just we need a freshen up."

Macdonald has wasted no time putting together his backroom team with Shane Gillies and Ryan Stewart already on board. He said: "Like myself, Shane has been troubled by a knee injury.

"He doesn’t need surgery, but it will be a slow recovery, and he’s accepted that his playing days are over. He now has an important role to play off the field as he will look after the defensive side of things, whilst I’ll look after the attack.

"Shane and I wanted to speak to the players before finally deciding to take on our new roles. There were rumours some players might pack it in at the end of last season, but we saw none of that.

"We’ve done our research, and we have a young squad, but their talent is beyond their years. The average age of the squad is 23-24 years, and we were second top scorers in the National Division last season with 39 goals.

"However, we also lost 39 goals and that was the second highest total, so we need to defend better as a team. We know where there’s work to do."

Super fit Ryan Stewart will lead the training and Liam Macdonald added: "Ryan’s fitness coaching is excellent, and he’s said he will dust down the boots should we need him on the field on any occasion.

"We have vital experience from the likes of Martin Stewart, Robbie MacFadyen, Lewis Birrell and Stephen Mcalister and excellent youth in the form of Shane O’Rua, keeper Alexander MacNiven, Archie MacNiven, Sam MacRae and of course Seamus MacFarlane.

"Seamus is based in Glasgow at the moment, and our former player Nick Lavin is manager at Glasgow Mid Argyll now and he’s kindly allowed Seamus to join in with their training sessions.

We’ll also rely on the likes of Innes Blackhall and Calum MacDougall who are top, top players."

Innes Blackhall will captain Kilmallie next season. Liam Macdonald said: "Innes is a Scottish international now and he’s a stand-out player in the game.

"Jay MacLeod will be vice-captain. Whilst Innes was an obvious pick as captain, the vice-captain position was wide open. We were looking for someone with total commitment to the club and Jay has shown that.

"After seven weeks of the 5K runs, he completed 13 of the 14 runs which is impressive."

Liam Macdonald’s first game in charge of Kilmallie was the annual Billy MacLachlan memorial trophy match against Lochaber at Spean Bridge on January 1. Kilmallie competed well and led 2-0 at one stage before eventually going down 4-3.

Kilmallie and Lochaber will meet again preseason when they contest the BSW Cup at the Canal Parks on Saturday February 7.

Kilmallie continue their preseason preparations when they face Kinlochshiel a week later before taking on a Badenoch double-header.

The blue and whites travel to play Newtonmore on Saturday February 21 and Kingussie at The Market Stance on Saturday February 28.

Liam Macdonald said: "The main thing about these games is that they give us the opportunity to try out some different things ahead of the new season, so the results aren’t the most important thing.

"I know winning breeds confidence but first and foremost, we need to get our team right. We’ll make a final call on the venues nearer the time but we’ll be pitched against players and managers of the highest standard.

"I think the Newtonmore and Kingussie game will be at their place, which is great experience for our young boys against top opposition.

"It’s going to be a very strong National Division next season. Lovat and Beauly have come down from the Premiership and they’ll be strong. Inveraray had a brilliant end to last season and we’ve always found it difficult against Glasgow Mid Argyll at Yoker which is a bit of a bogey ground for us.

"We’ll need a squad of 20-plus boys to get us through the whole season, and it’s the boys who are most committed who will play."

The manager has put his Celtic season book to the back of the drawer and his golf clubs to the back of the shed.

He will give it his all this coming season, and he will demand the same from his players.