John Stewart Is New Kilmallie Boss | |
11 October 2018 Kilmallie have announced that John Stewart is their new first team manager, replacing Mark MacPherson who stood down after leading the club to a Marine Harvest National Division title and Balliemore Cup success at the end of last season. John Stewart is one of Kilmallie’s most recognised players over recent times and he was the club’s number one choice as soon as Mark MacPherson confirmed his intention to step down at the end of the 2018 shinty season. He played his early shinty for Caol Primary School and Kilmallie at U14 and U17 level before making his first team debut aged 15 years. His performances on the field helped towards a number of Kilmallie successes and he was recognised with three years inclusion at Scotland U21 level and nine years at Scotland senior level. Injury problems plagued Stewart towards the end of his career although a comeback coincided with a Camanachd Cup semi-final appearance in 2017 in which Kilmallie lost out 3-2 to eventual winners Newtonmore. As well as a having a wealth of experience, John Stewart has a solid knowledge of the game and is respected throughout shinty. Following the appointment, John Stewart said: "Firstly, I’m delighted and honoured to be asked by the board to manage the Kilmallie first team. It’s something I’ve wanted to do after finally retiring from playing at the end of 2017. I’ve enjoyed a year off and feel refreshed, ready for the season ahead. “I’m excited about the challenge of Premiership shinty and the opportunity to build on the recent success our previous manager Mark MacPherson has brought to the club excites me greatly. I’d like to thank Mark for all his hard work over the last four years; he’s left the team in a very good place. I’m sure he won’t be too far away should I need to pick his brains going forward and I’ve already pre-warned him of that. “Competing in the Premiership will be tough for everyone but it’s a challenge I’m looking forward to. The team proved in the cups over the last few seasons that they can win against top teams. Being up for that level of performance week in week out will be main objective in trying to provide the consistency required. “There’s a good feeling at the club with a great mix of youth and experience within a current first team squad that only narrowly missed out on a Camanachd Cup Final appearance after losing a penalty shoot-out against Newtonmore in the semi-final earlier this year. That type of performance will see us compete at a very high level. “I wanted to accept the manager’s role early enough to provide stability and let the players know we are already thinking ahead to next season. I will be looking to add a coach / trainer to also assist me in due course. “We will be looking to start pre-season training early in the New Year which is only 12 weeks away.” On looking at Kilmallie’s ambitions for the 2019 season, Stewart added: “I have to admit staying in the Premiership has to be the obvious thing to say. There have been too many promotions followed by relegation the following season in recent times. I’m confident we can achieve that goal along with some decent cup runs; all playing good shinty. “I can’t wait to start working with the players and look forward to testing myself and ourselves as a team against the top team’s week-in-week-out.” The appointment is a personal success for Kilmallie captain Liam MacDonald who has been pestering his former teammate to take on the managerial duties for a number of weeks now. Rumour has it that joiner MacDonald offered a significant discount ahead of installing a brand new kitchen in the Stewart residence to successfully seal the deal. |