Two Wins For Scots On 2019 Sitekit Ireland Tour | |
01 August 2019 Scotland U17 completed another successful Ireland tour, sponsored by Sitekit, recording wins against both Kildare U17 and Dublin U17 on their annual visit to the Emerald Isle.
Sunday 28 July 2019 The seventeen-player squad, accompanied by Camanachd Association Youth Director Willie MacDonald, Ronald Ross and Alasdair Bruce, set off on a four-day tour on Sunday 28 July 2019. After travelling from both Glasgow and Inverness Airports, the squad were again based at the impressive Dublin City University where they were well looked after and able to take advantage of the excellent training facilities. One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to Croke Park to watch both the minor All-Ireland Hurling semi-final between Wexford and Clare and the senior All-Ireland Hurling semi-final between Wexford and Tipperary which was a fantastic experience.
Monday 29 July 2019 After a Monday morning training session, in which the squad were put through their paces on the shinty / hurling composite rules and the skills, there was a light session at the magnificent facilities at the GAA National Games Development Centre at Abbotstown before the hour-long journey to play Kildare U17 at St Conleth’s Park, a 6,200 capacity ground which is the home of County Kildare GAA. Kildare U17 (0-0-7) 7-26 (5-3-5) Scotland U17 This match was closer than the scoreline suggests but Scotland U17 eventually powered to a (5-3-5) 26-7 (0-0-7) win over Kildare U17 in the opening match of their Sitekit sponsored Ireland tour at St Conleth’s Park on Monday 29 July 2019. The Scots were ensured a noisy support with many family members making the trip to cheer on the team. Lachie Shaw grabbed a hat-trick whilst Liam Borthwick and Conor Kennedy also found the net. Lachie Shaw took his tally to eleven points with a two-pointer whilst Ross Gordon and Calum Grover also converted two-points. Conor Kennedy totalled four points with an effort over the bar. Lewis Clark, Kieran MacPherson and two singles from Duncan Matheson completed the Scotland scoring. The match was played in perfect condition and this was a competitive contest from the throw-in. There were close things at both ends before the Scots, captained by Ryan Craig, worked the ball across goal from the right and Liam Borthwick turned the ball low into the net from the right of the box on 8 minutes. Lewis Clark won a race for the ball with keeper Alo Hackett to add another point but the Scots were being continually tested and Eoin Kelliher pulled a point back with a great effort from wide on the right. The match was flowing from end-to-end with Kieran MacPherson notching a Scotland point whilst, at the other end, it took a couple of good challenges from Daniel Sloss and Jamie Gillies to keep Kildare at bay. The Irish pulled another couple of points back, either side of a Duncan Matheson counter, and some great Alo Hackett goalkeeping stopped the Scots finding the net again. Lachie Shaw opened his account with a good two-pointer from wide on the left and Scotland led 8-3 at the break. The visitors made a storming start to the second half with Duncan Matheson and William MacKinnon both forced good saves in quick succession before Duncan Matheson struck a point from the right. Eion Kelliher was on target again but Scotland responded as Martin Pringle surged forward, playing a neat one-two but his effort from the left went across goal and wide of the far post. Eion Kelliher and Conor Kennedy exchanged points before Cian Shanahan left the Scots in his wake as he soloed down the left before cutting inside. He looked sure to score before Daniel Sloss came across to challenge and the ball went out of play off the Irish player. Liam Borthwick was denied a second by another great save before the Lachie scored the goal of the match, turning the ball home after good lead up play from William MacKinnon and Liam Borthwick. Ross Gordon cut the ball back from the right, setting up Conor Kennedy to find the net before Kennedy saw another shot saved but Lachie Shaw turned home the rebound. With Cameron MacIntosh very effective in midfield, Lachie Shaw completed his hat-trick with a smart back-hand strike and Scotland now led 22-7. Eion Kelliher and Ross Gordon swapped two-pointers before the skilful Eion Kelliher snatched another point. Scotland goalkeeper Calum Grover made an outstanding save, diving full length to his right to keep out a low Cian Shanahan shot. As the match moved into stoppage time, Conor Kennedy saw an effort turned around the post and Scotland keeper Calum Grover, who was clearing the ball great distances throughout, was given the chance from the resultant 65 and he sent a great drive straight between the posts to make it 26-7 and complete the scoring. The match was played in good spirits with no bookings. This was an excellent work-out for the Scots and both squads and coaches met up for an after-match meal, provided by our hosts. Scotland U17 from: Calum Grover (Newtonmore); Jamie Gillies (Skye Camanachd), Daniel Sloss (Oban Camanachd); Alistair MacRae (Fort William), Ryan Boyle (Fort William), Ryan Craig (Bute) (captain); William MacKinnon (Skye Camanachd), Kieran MacPherson (Kingussie), Cameron MacIntosh (Glenurquhart); Lachie Shaw (Fort William), Lewis Clark (Fort William), Duncan Matheson (Kinlochshiel), Liam Borthwick (Kingussie); Ross Gordon (Skye Camanachd); subs Conor Kennedy (Kyles Athletic), Martin Pringle (Skye Camanachd), Cam Clark (Kilmallie)
Tuesday 30 July 2019 Dublin U17 (0-0-6) 6-39 (10-3-3) Scotland U17 Scotland U17 made it two wins out of two as they beat Dublin U17 (10-3-3) 39-6 (0-0-6) in the second match of their Sitekit 2019 tour of Ireland at Parnell Park on Tuesday 30 July 2019. The Scots were again cheered on from the stands by an impressive support and the large Dublin panel put up a strong fight throughout. Ross Gordon grabbed a hat-trick whilst Duncan Matheson and Lachie Shaw both scored twice. Martin Pringle and Kieran MacPherson and Liam Borthwick scored the other Scotland goals. Lachie Shaw converted three two pointers taking his tally over the two matches to 23 points. There were single point efforts from Martin Pringle, Ross Gordon, Cam Clark and Liam Borthwick. The Dubs took much from the composite rules game with James O’Brien and Davie Keogh amongst their scorers. There were two changes from the starting line-up that played Kildare U17 as Cam Clark and Conor Kennedy came in for Alistair MacRae and Lewis Clark with Cameron MacIntosh dropping back into defence. This 7.15pm throw-in was played in light rain with the Scots, captained by Kieran MacPherson, shooting towards the changing rooms’ end of the ground in the first half. Lachie Shaw sent a great dead ball from wide on the left to give the Scots a two-point lead after just a couple of minutes. Ross Gordon found the net when on 6 minutes, taking a pass from the left before sending an unstoppable shot over the keeper’s left shoulder from a central position to make it 5-0. Lachie Shaw sent two two-pointers over the bar to make it 9-0 before Ross Gordon was denied another goal by a spectacular save. Calum Grover had to palm away a high ball from distance before James O’Brien pulled a point back soon after. Ross Gordon cut the ball back from the right to allow Duncan Matheson to score whilst; just a minute later, Matheson got his second, driving an effort from right of centre into the top corner of the net. Martin Pringle added a point on 25 minutes to make it 16-1. James O’Brien pulled a great point back from a wide position before he made it 16-3 on the half hour mark. Lachie Shaw finished well, dribbling the ball in from the left side before stroking it across the keeper into the far corner of the net to make it 19-3 at half-time. Calum Grover had to be on his toes to palm away a dropping ball from the middle of the park just 5 minutes into the second half. Ross Gordon took a shot from a central position but the keeper flew to his left to make a diving save with Gordon taking a blow to the ribs for his trouble. Scotland continued to look the hungrier side in front of goal and Ross Gordon was again thwarted by a good save. However Ross Gordon got his second goal 12 minutes into the second half, turning Liam Borthwick’s pass from the left low into the net, beating the keeper on his left side, for the first score of the second period. Ross Gordon and Cam Clark added points before Davie Keogh and James O’Brien countered for Dublin and it was now 24-5. Liam Borthwick was again the provider, setting up Martin Pringle to score from a central position before Kieran MacPherson’s 65 dropped straight into the net to make it 30-5. With 5 minutes to go, Liam Borthwick took a Ross Gordon pass from the right and drove the ball low into the net to make it 33-5. Conor Kennedy ran onto a free into the corner before crossing and the ball broke for Ross Gordon who made no mistake to complete his hat-trick. Ireland pulled another point back and there was still time for Lachie Shaw, who opened the scoring, to take a pass from Conor Kennedy before racing down the middle and sending the ball low into the net to give Scotland the (10-3-3) 39-6 (0-0-6) win. As usual, the goalscorers grabbed the headlines but there were other fine performances throughout the squad with Daniel Sloss, William MacKinnon and Jamie Gillies worthy of special mention. The Dubs complemented the Scots on their performance and said they also took much from the composite rules game, particularly developing other skills in place of catching the ball in the hand. It was a good end to the tour for the Scots who showed improvement from the previous night’s game and they were tested by physical but fair Dublin opponents who demonstrated plenty skill. Afterwards, the Scotland squad headed back to the Goblet for another superb after-match meal, again provided by the Dublin County Board. Scotland U17 from: Calum Grover (Newtonmore); Jamie Gillies (Skye Camanachd), Daniel Sloss (Oban Camanachd); Cameron MacIntosh (Glenurquhart), Ryan Boyle (Fort William), Ryan Craig (Bute); William MacKinnon (Skye Camanachd), Kieran MacPherson (Kingussie) (captain), Cam Clark (Kilmallie); Lachie Shaw (Fort William), Conor Kennedy (Kyles Athletic); Duncan Matheson (Kinlochshiel), Liam Borthwick (Kingussie); Ross Gordon (Skye Camanachd); subs Martin Pringle (Skye Camanachd), Alistair MacRae (Fort William), Lewis Clark (Fort William)
Wednesday 30 July 2019 The squad gathered to make their way home after another successful tour. Family members and other shinty followers were once again kept up-to-date throughout the trip by Facebook and website posts and photographs throughout the trip in the form of “The Dublin Diaries”. There were many interactions and family members made complimentary comments as to the value of such updates. As ever, Ronald Ross was keen that his troops were left inspired by the Irish experience and, to a man, the young Scots rose to the occasion. Communication and concentration were key words in the pre-match talk and the players showed that they could follow instruction as they played the ball on the ground and they used the width of the pitch to great effect. They all return to their clubs the better for the experience and the new friendships forged will last long into the future. The travelling Scots, as always, are indebted to main sponsors Sitekit, Gilmour Sports, Seamus Curtis, Kildare GAA and the Dublin County Board for their assistance and support before and throughout the tour. |