Murrayfield omens are good for Highland veteran Morris Dillon
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AS omens go, they do not get much better.
Highland veteran Morris Dillon will be doubly proud walking out at Murrayfield tomorrow in the National Shield final as one of the mascots will be his son – Murray.
Alongside William Magowan, son of Dillon’s close friend and team-mate Tam, the two youngest members of the Highland brigade will create some memories of their own, before their fathers aim to do the same against Carrick for the green legions in the crowd.
“Murray and William are good mates, so it’s great for them but also for us to be able to walk out with our sons,” said Dillon. “As well as the game, these days are all about family and making sure they have a good time. These are memories you’re never going to forget.”
Dillon has seen it and done it all at the Canal Park club. A five-year playing stint came to an end with early retirement in 2010 due to injury. When Dave Carson returned as head coach in 2013, Dillon was lured back as backs coach and the comeback was complete last season, as when injuries struck Dillon donned the green jersey again.
He made the decision in the off-season to give playing one last go, as if he did not take this opportunity he feared another would not come along.
“I’d missed a lot of playing time but managed to get through it,” said the Dingwall Academy PE teacher. “If I didn’t do it this season, that would be it for good.
“I thought if I could get through half a season before the body breaks down, I would be delighted. The physio is holding me together with glue and strapping at the moment! I don’t know if it’s a last hurrah for me but I’ll be having a chat with my wife after season is finished.”
The 34-year-old has previous with the national stadium. He was part of Brian Irvine’s side that lost in the BT Bowl to Morgan Academy in 2006, scoring a try and according to his then-coach, being undeservedly robbed of the man of the match award.
Victory against Carrick would eclipse his previous achievements with the club and prove that Highland are on the road to where Dillon believes they belong.
“For any Scottish rugby player, walking out at Murrayfield is special, particularly if you’re an amateur,” he said. “It would be huge for the club to win. It makes all those training nights, where you’re wet, cold and muddy, mean something.
“There’s a lot of guys who would be incredibly proud to see Highland back playing National League rugby again. We are a big club and without blowing our own trumpet, we belong in the National League.”
That journey can be completed next weekend with a win over Carnoustie and Dillon gives a lot of credit to Carson, who has “brought respect back to the club”, for pushing them so far.
There is no sign that Murrayfield will be the last stop on their journey either, with the production line of young players boding well for the club’s future.
“I think there was 21 out of our 22 for the semi-final that had come through the club’s junior system,” said Dillon. “As you do if you live in Inverness, a lot of people go away for university and some don’t come back. So to have that many in the squad was quite special.
“Bringing a higher level of rugby back here will hopefully persuade a few more guys to stay up here.”
