SHINTY - Beauly goal hero Ryan Mackay is ready for test of Premiership
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RYAN Mackay is looking forward to the challenge of playing in the Premiership with Beauly after the club sealed promotion to the top flight for the first time.
The 27-year-old roofer sealed Beauly’s place in the Premiership next season, scoring a 93rd minute winner in the 1-0 victory over Inveraray at Braeview last weekend.
The victory means Beauly can’t finish lower than second in the National Division and are guaranteed promotion.
It was Mackay’s second goal of the season, and the half back was delighted to be in the right place to score and make promotion certain.
“It was a really good moment, obviously it was still a last minute winner, but thankfully we got there.
“It is definitely up there as one of the best moments of my career.
“Inveraray were stuffy and dogged and made us work of the win that was for sure.
“Now the boys are looking forward to playing in the Premiership next season and I think we will be ready for it.”
Whether Beauly will be promoted as champions or runners-up depends on the result between Inveraray and Skye tomorrow.
Skye require just a draw at The Winterton to become champions.
Mackay thinks Skye will get what they require tomorrow to be champions, but is still pleased with what Beauly have achieved this season, which included winning the Balliemore Cup.
“I think our chances of winning the league are slim as I can’t see Skye losing as they have a strong side,” says Mackay.
“But it has still been a really good season for us.”
Mackay has Premiership experience, previously playing for Caberfeidh before joining Beauly.
He says the current team has what it takes to be successful at the top level.
But he knows that next season will be a tougher challenge.
“Next season our aim will be just to stay up and anything else would be a bonus,” says Mackay.
