Daniel MacCuish, who opted to play football this year, has decided to return to shinty with Oban Camanachd and will begin pre-season training with them in January.
Gareth Evans, who has just completed his first season as manager and is keen to carry on next year, sees MacCuish as a key part of his plans for strengthening the Black and Reds.
The 22-year-old plumber has been playing for Oban Saints in the Premier Division of the Central Scotland Amateur League, but the shinty bug has lured him back.
Evans said: “I’m delighted that Daniel has intimated to me that he’ll be back for pre-season work and he’s committed to playing for the club next season.
“He’ll make a big difference to the team, whether in the centre line or up front, with his physical presence and good stick work.”
In 2017 MacCuish helped Lochside Rovers win the Sutherland Cup for the first time in 20 years and in 2019 he picked up a Camanachd Cup runners-up medal in Oban’s defeat to Newtonmore.
Meanwhile, Evans and his right hand man Ian Macmillan have opted to carry on at Mossfield Park and will seek reappointment at the club AGM on Friday week.
Evans, who succeeded Steven Sloss as manager, steered Oban to victory over every team except Grand Slam winners Kingussie during the season.
He said: “Ian and I brought through a lot of younger players, getting them used to playing at Premiership level, and they’ll benefit next year from that experience.
“I am currently trying to bring in a couple of players from other clubs for next season. We’ve a good full strength team but we lack the depth of strength on the bench that the top teams enjoy and I’d like to address that.
“There’s also a couple from Lochside who we feel are ready to step up.
“We won 10 Premiership games and lost eight, with no draws, and finished Macaulay Cup runners up and Camanachd Cup semi finalists, so we did OK. But I’d like us to do better in the cups next season.”
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Key issue for the Oban AGM is to find a new management team for Lochside Rovers – as Andrew Pearson and Daniel Macmillan have indicated that they are stepping down.
Fort William playing legend Willie Macdonald has ruled himself out of taking charge at An Aird after co-managers Victor Smith and Addie Robertson decided to step aside after seven years.
Macdonald has been refereeing this year and has indicated that officiating will continue to be his priority next season.
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