Glasgow Mid Argyll – and former Kinlochshiel – defender Jonnie MacAskill is the latest player to star in the Shinty Spotlight series.
The 24-year-old helped lead GMA to their first major trophy in 42 years this summer when they clinched the Glasgow Celtic Society Cup in June.
Here, the defender talks us through some of the highs and lows of his career on the pitch.
What is your earliest shinty memory?
My first shinty memory was winning the Shinty World Cup with Glenleg Primary School in Drumnadrochit. It was a really good day because we were such a small school, and it was funny to win it.
Who was senior debut against and what was the result?
The second team debut was against Aberdeen University.
I was marking Willie Hunter, the score was 2-2 and I was only 15. It was the first time I’d ever broken a shinty stick!
My first team debut was away to Oban and I came on as a striker and hit the ball over the bar from around five metres. That was pretty bad.
What is your best moment in shinty so far?
In terms of playing for Glasgow Mid Argyll, it was winning the Celtic Society Cup this year (in a 1-0 final victory against Kyles). To win something with my cousin (John Don Mackenzie) was pretty cool. The club hadn’t won the trophy for 42-years, so it was a great achievement.
Winning the Camanachd Cup last year with Kinlochshiel was also special. We beat Lovat 3-1 and it was an amazing day for the community and for the team. We got an amazing reception back in Dornie (this was Shiel’s first trophy triumph in the competition in their 63-year history).
And the worst?
In 2018 and 2019, we were back-to-back Balliemore Cup runners-up at GMA (against Kilmallie then Fort William).
We lost 3-2 in both finals and the second one was especially hard after losing it the year before.
What is the worst injury you have suffered?
Last season, in my first game back since Covid, I decided not to wear a helmet for some reason – I always do.
I got a volley on the nose and had to get six stitches inside my nostril. It was very sore. I wore my helmet after that.
Who is the joker in the team?
Gary Luke is the joker by far. He’s always leaving salmon hanging around the place!
What is your favourite away ground?
My favourite venue is definitely Tighnabruaich, where Kyles Athletic play.
It’s right by the sea and the fans are always quite rowdy, so I always like playing there.
Who is the rival player you would have loved in your team and why?
It’s a toss-up between Roddy Macdonald, of Kyles Athletic, or Blair Morrison from Caberfeidh.
Roddy is a natural goalscorer and he seems to create chances out of nothing.
Blair is a great all-round defender/midfielder and is arguably one of the best players around at the moment.
What is the favourite goal scored by you or a team-mate?
I haven’t scored many, so my favourite was one I scored against the north for the south under-21s a few years back.
Because I don’t score often, to do so on that stage was pretty surreal.
Describe the sport in three words?
Community, respect and aggression.
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