Latest news with #NairnCounty
Press and Journal
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
STARTING XI: Clachnacuddin boss Conor Gethins on facing Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie
Conor Gethins has just led Clachnacuddin to a sixth-placed finish in the Breedon Highland League. The former Ireland under-19 and under-21 cap's playing days kicked off with four years at Ross County after being signed by Neale Cooper. The striker bagged 16 goals in 73 appearances for the Staggies. Gethins also played for Peterhead, Nairn County and Formartine United as well as his current club, the Lilywhites – scoring a career total of 355 goals. I had been doing relatively well and training with the first-team at Ross County. Neale Cooper, who is sadly no longer with us, called me into the office and told me I was starting the next day at home to Clyde (October 27, 2001 in Division One). I was only 17 and I thought 'wow'. Neale told me to prepare well and that he had every faith in me. I scored twice (in a 4-0 win), which was lovely. Danny MacDonald was assistant manager to Neale and he took me to Scotland (from Ireland) originally. That would have been a proud moment for him too, that one of the boys he'd taken a gamble on from a different country had started and scored on his debut. It was a nice week for me as I turned 18 on the Monday and, on the Wednesday, Neale Cooper passed me a letter across the desk with the Ireland symbol on the corner. It was a call-up to go and play for Ireland in Portugal that same week. Making my debut has to be up there. But, as a young boy, growing up playing football in your garden, or with friends, you want to go on and play for your country. Although it wasn't on the full senior stage, to play under-19 and under-21 levels for my country was special. When you stand there during the national anthems, you think about how you are good enough to go and do something in your career. The moment that sticks in my mind the most was when we played Holland away in the under-19 European Championship play-offs (in 2002). There were a lot of very special names in the opposition team – including Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Robin van Persie, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Nigel de Jong. I have a photo of myself and Robben playing against one another – it's funny how people's careers go different ways! We beat Holland 2-1 away and drew 0-0 in the return leg in Ireland to qualify (finishing fourth overall in the finals). Good times. I'd have to say Robbie Duncanson. We formed a formidable partnership (at Nairn County). Very few times in your football career do you click with someone so well where you barely even need to talk – you know exactly what one another is doing. I was very lucky to have Robbie as my strike partner – and I'm lucky to have him by my side now in management with Clach. If I remain in Highland League terms for P&J readers, (Wick Academy's) Sam Mackay was a very special player. When he was on it, there was nobody better in the league. It was amazing how someone who is not lightning quick could go past you with ease, as well as having great strength and passing ability. Sam's football intelligence was way beyond anyone else in my opinion. An excellent player. Andrew Greig (at Nairn County) has questionable dress sense. He was spotted on Question Time when it filmed at Eden Court and it looked like he was wearing his grandad's jumper! Maybe a bit annoying – but I try to have good fun. There are times when you have to be serious, but football's best when you're having a laugh. I always try to get a bit of craic with the boys. Hopefully they would say the same. Danny MacDonald was a huge factor in my young career. He always made us believe we were way ahead of anybody – even if he knew we weren't. It's hard to pinpoint any quotes or single words of advice, but Danny made us all feel 10-foot tall and braver than we were. When we played the Netherlands in that under-19s play-off, it was in the Excelsior Stadium (in Rotterdam). It was so compact. There were a few fans there, but it made it feel like there were thousands. Given the occasion, the moment, and how stunning the stadium was – that would probably be one of my favourite grounds to play in. I scored a first-time volley for Formartine against Turriff United from the centre circle. To make it sweeter, I called it to the keeper before I came on. I was warming up behind the goal and I said to him 'you know you need to stay on your line when I come on' and he was laughing with me. It's been a running joke between us over the years. The ball dropped to me in the centre circle and I volleyed it first time and it flew into the top corner. The keeper was scrambling to get it. Another one was for Nairn against Formartine when they were challenging for the league title (in 2013). They were two games away from winning it (but beaten to the title by Cove Rangers). I collected from a throw-in near where the dugouts used to be and I took it on my knee, turned and volleyed it first-time past Andy Shearer into the net (in a 3-1 Nairn win). It would have to be Wayne Mackintosh (the new Nairn County manager) – he's a genius with his joinery work. He would build a raft to get us off the island. If I get a moment to myself and I'm not working, I like to disappear up the mountains with my dog. I don't need to listen to music when I'm up there, I just enjoy the silence – with no phones to answer.
Press and Journal
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Wayne Mackintosh honoured to become Nairn County manager
New Nairn County manager Wayne Mackintosh admits he was surprised to be offered the job – but says it's an honour to take it on. The Wee County have named club legend Mackintosh as their new boss. The Station Park outfit have been looking for a permanent manager since Ross Tokely departed in January, with Brian Macleod holding the fort on an interim basis since then. Mackintosh retired from playing at the end of the season after 16 years and 411 appearances in Nairn's midfield across two spells. He played for County from 2004 to 2017 and helped them win the North of Scotland Cup twice and R Davidson (Banchory) Highland League Cup. Mackintosh then moved to Formartine United, who he helped to win the Highland League Cup, Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup and Morrison Motors (Turriff) Aberdeenshire Shield. He spent the 2021-22 season at Rothes and was part of their North of Scotland Cup winning squad, before returning to Nairn in September 2022 and helping them win the North Cup again in November 2023. Mackintosh didn't apply to become Nairn manager, but revealed his delight at being asked to take on the job. The 37-year-old said: 'It came as a bit of a surprise to me, I'd decided to retire from playing and I was actually looking forward to having a break. 'But then the club hadn't appointed as a manager and they approached me and had a conversation about the job. 'It was a surprise to me, but when I thought about it I decided it was a really good opportunity. 'I've always thought I would like to get into coaching, although I didn't anticipate it being as Nairn first-team manager. 'But it's an honour to be considered for the role. I've got a passion for the club, I wanted to retire as a player at Nairn and now becoming manager is something I'm delighted about. 'I want to see the club do well so for me coming into management it probably makes it easier to be doing it with Nairn. 'There's a really good squad here, it's a great bunch of boys so hopefully I can help them improve individually and collectively to make the club successful.' Nairn finished 13th in the Breedon Highland League this season and looking ahead to next term Mackintosh believes the squad at his disposal is capable of better. He would also like County to challenge in the cup competitions next season. Mackintosh, who has also had a spell in charge of Nairn's Under-18s side, added: 'I want to get the club up the table. For the quality we have at the club I think we underachieved this season. 'We want to move up the table and I also want us to be more competitive in the cups. 'We went out in the first round or second round of every cup this season. 'So being competitive in the cups and trying to bring some silverware back to Nairn is what I'd like to do. 'There's a good core of a squad at Nairn which is very competitive and if we can make a couple of additions that would only make us better. 'Playing alongside the boys I know there's real quality there and hopefully we can be more competitive next season.'
