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Scotland v Ireland - Marine Harvest Shinty / Hurling International …………. 3 Days To Go! | |
26 October 2011 Scotland Head Coach Drew McNeil reflected on the Shinty / Hurling first test defeat to Ireland as his side prepares for the crucial second test at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 29 October 2011. “At one stage we were 10 points behind and we were in danger of letting the series get away from us,” said the Scotland boss. “I felt we were in control of the first half and people may think me daft but we missed free after free after free that could’ve seen us take in a half time lead.” The referee seemed to allow some pushing and pulling to go on during the first test which would certainly have been called as fouls in shinty. McNeil said, “There were some instances where our defenders had to contend with the Irish forwards wrapping their arms around our players as we were trying to clear the ball. There were also some instances with aerial balls they were holding their hurleys in one and their opponents shinty stick in the other. These things would be fouls in a hurling match and shinty game but I’m sure they will be picked up by the referee in the second test as we went to portray our skills. Most importantly though, not once did the guys lose focus or heart during the game. They stuck manfully to the task with great discipline and at the end of the game they were really ready to put things right in Inverness." McNeil was also asked about the difficult conditions at the weekend with the heavy rain and a driving wind a factor for both sides and the long grass didn’t suit the shinty players. “I spoke with the groundsmen and they would’ve liked to have given the pitch one more cut on Friday but due to the rain on Thursday they couldn’t. The grass was a little long but it was the continuous rainfall during the match that compounded matters. We trained on the park on Friday and it was a dry surface and the free-takers (Kevin Bartlett and Gary Innes) were at the pitch on Saturday morning, before the heavens opened, to have specific time on the frees. Gary Innes was making the 65s with 10 to spare so the preparation was done but we didn’t foresee the playing conditions deteriorating so badly. The balls contributed to some failed 2 point efforts and we were continually asking for a new ball to go. I was told that 15 balls were used during the match but with the grass so long, the pitch so wet, and the continuous rain, perhaps the balls weren’t able to repel the moisture. Norman Campbell even tried from 65 and couldn’t make anything of them, that’s how soggy they got.” McNeil is at pains to stress that he will not use these factors as excuses but they do give him food for thought going into the second test and that is a challenge he is looking forward to. He added, “Remember we don’t have to overturn the 5 point game advantage. If we win the game at the Bught Park by even one point, and we score 2 goals the Irish don’t score twice, we will win the series.” The second test between Scotland and Ireland 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 between Scotland and 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 |