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Scotland v Ireland - Marine Harvest Shinty / Hurling International …………. 2 Days To Go! | |
27 October 2011 Skye Camanachd and Scotland U21 player Iain Nicolson will take what he hopes will be the next step on the international ladder when he lines up for the Scotland colts against their Irish counter-parts at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 29 October 2011. Iain Nicolson started playing shinty as a youngster at Portree Primary School before moving to Inverness. He played for Invernes at U14 level and captained the 2004 North U14 side as they beat the South U14 to win the Fraser MacPhee Trophy at An Aird, FortWilliam. Nicolson returned to Skye and played for the Islanders at U17 level, again representing the North against their South counter-parts, and he played for the Islanders at U17 and second team level before quickly establishing himself as a first team player. He had a short spell with Lovat at the start of the 2011 season before returning to Skye Camanachd. He played for the North U21 side against the Irish in Inverness in 2009 before suffering the disappointment of having to withdraw from the pre-international training sessions last year with an ankle injury. “It’s a big honour to be selected to play for your country,” said Nicolson. “You don’t often get these opportunities so it’s important to make the most of it. This is my last year at U21 level and it would be great to play at senior level in the next few years. I think Kevin Bartlett from Caberfeidh has been a great example to everyone in the U21s. He was with the U21s over the last couple of seasons and he has made the step up to the senior squad this year and he played really well in Ireland last week and was even given the responsibility of taking the frees.” “You learn a lot being involved in the Shinty / Hurling games that you can take back to your clubs. The training involves a lot of drills but they are fitness orientated so you don’t really think of it as fitness training.” Nicolson has put the disappointment of having to withdraw from last year’s training sessions behind him. “It was such a downer to have to pull out of the training because of my ankle injury last year so it’s great to be involved again.” Nicolson is a versatile player having turned out for his club in defence, midfield and attack this season. “I played in defence in the warm up game but I don’t mind where I play. It’s a good, strong squad and half the boys were involved last year so we have a lot of experience. We are all looking forward to the game and we want to beat the Irish.” With the game getting closer, all that remains are the final preparations. “We meet up at the Bught Park at 1pm on Friday for training and this is followed by a preparation session where we get to discuss our plans ahead of the game. We stay in Invernesson Friday night and this is good as it brings the squad together. There is also a reception after the game where you get a chance to mix with the Irish players.” The second test between the Scotland and Ireland senior sides takes place at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 29 October 2011. The match starts at 2pm and, if you are unable to make the game, it will be shown live on BBC2 Scotland starting at 1.45pm. The second test will be preceded by the meeting between the Scotland U21 and Ireland U21 sides who clash at 12 noon. The day’s sporting feast begins with a Challenge Shinty / Camogie match betweenScotlandand the British Universities side and this starts at 10.30am. Click on the following link to book your ticket for a full day’s action https://www.eden-court.co.uk/whats-on/shows/marine-harvest-shinty-hurling-international |