Preparations for the 2012 Shinty / Hurling / Camogie international series between Scotland and Ireland are at an advanced stage.

This is the third year of the home and away match format for the senior side and the Scots are leaving no stone unturned as they aim for their first series win. There will be just one match at U21 and Women’s level this year.

Scotland Senior Squad

Scotland Head Coach Drew McNeil and Assistant Coaches Kenny Ross, George Hay and Scott McNeil and Fitness Coach Neil Bowman have already put the players through their paces at Taynuilt and Spean Bridge over the last two weekends.

The Scots will play a warm up match against a University side ahead of the first test which takes place at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 20 October 2012.

The second test takes place at Cusack Park, Ennis on Saturday 27 October 2012. Throw-in is at 2.05pm and the game will be broadcast live on TG4 which should mean that, as happened the last two years, Scots fans unable to make the trip across the water can watch live internet streaming of the clash.

Scotland U21 Squad

Scotland U21 Head Coach Ronald Ross is in his first season in charge of the squad. Ross is assisted by Jason Latto and James Perlich and Fitness Coach Jemma Docker. The U21s have also had sessions at Taynuilt and Spean Bridge over the last two weekends.

They are looking to have a practice session at the Dell on Sunday 7 October 2012. They will follow that up with a training session under the floodlights in Inverness on the evening of Friday 12 October 2012. This will help recreate the match conditions as the international takes place in Ireland the following Friday evening. The young Scots also hope to play a final practice game in Inverness on Saturday 20 October 2012.

The Scotland U21 side fly out to Ireland on Thursday 25 October 2012, a day earlier than their senior counter-parts, as the U21 international at St.Josephs Doora Barefield, Ennis takes place under floodlights the following night with a 7pm throw-in.  

Scotland Womens Squad

The Scotland Womens team, led by Sarah Corrigall and Laura MacKay, are also progressing well with their preparations which began with a training session in Perth in mid-September.

Both Corrigall and MacKay will also be at Mossfield, Oban on Sunday 7 October 2012 for the North v South senior and U18 representative matches. Sarah Corrigall will coach the North senior side and Laura MacKay will look after their South counter-parts. Their presence gives all the Scotland squad players on show the chance to catch the eye.

The Scotland Womens squad meet a Clare Camogie select at the Father McNamara Camogie Field, County Clare on Saturday 27 October. Throw-in is at 11am.

Clare are sure to provide tough opposition for the Scots as their senior side recently won the Munster title for the first time in 66 years.

The Clare County Board is planning to showcase Camogie and Irish President Michael D Higgins will be in attendance as will Camogie President Aileen Lawlor. An invitation has been issued to all Camogie clubs to attend and there will be a display of club flags around the pitch.

Following the match, around 1,000 Camogie players, including youth representation from all clubs, will take part in an impressive parade through the town on Ennis, before arriving at Cusack Park ahead of the men’s Shinty / Hurling senior international.

Photograph courtesy of www.neilgpaterson.com