Both Scots & Irish Hail The Benefits Of The International Double Header. | |
28 October 2010 The benefits of Shinty / Hurling double header are agreed by both countries ahead of this weekend’s matches. Scotland Head Coach Drew McNeil joked, “Well when we win the first one I want the rest of the year off so that we can rest on our laurels! To be serious though, I’m regarding this as two tests although the aggregate score means this isn’t how the games are treated. Regardless of how the first game goes, the squad will be raring to go two weeks later.” “One benefit of having a game either side of the Irish Sea is that any ground made or momentum gained in raising the awareness and profile of this unique stick challenge won’t be lost.” “When I compare our match with the Aussie Rules v Gaelic footballers match, our game is a better spectacle and I don’t say that lightly as that was the opinion of the Previous chairman of the GAA and the spectators who I spoke with in Croker 2006 after the two compromise matches.” “Limerick was a sell out last week for their (footballers) first test and Croke Park will be this Saturday. Perhaps if we keep performing and create an elite panel solely aimed at defeating the hurlers, we will fill Croke Park ourselves which is a long term aim and a challenge.” The view from across the sea in Ireland is the same. "The games last year in Scotland were fantastic spectacles and drew very favourable comment from television viewers after being screened in Ireland. The series provides our hurlers with a chance to wear an Irish jersey and I know this is something they value greatly" said Criostóir Ó Cuana Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael. "I also know that a number of clubs have forged links with their Scottish counterparts and this is something we encourage. I would also like to welcome our Scottish visitors and wish both teams every success". The international double-header between Ireland and Scotland begins at Croke Park on Saturday 30 October 2010 with a 4.45pm start. |