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2018 Marine Harvest Shinty / Hurling / Camogie Internationals – 3 Days To Go! | |
17 October 2018 Ireland co-manager Conor Phelan says his players are relishing the opportunity to play for their country ahead of the Marine Harvest Shinty / Hurling / Camogie internationals against Irish opposition at the Bught Park on Saturday 20 October 2018. Conor Phelan said: “The reaction has been very positive. Everyone loves to get an opportunity to play for Ireland and they don't get too many opportunities in relation to hurling.” Phelan also highlighted what the fixture does for hurling saying: “Trying to mix and match your top tier players with lads from tier two and tier three play makes a big difference, We have guys coming from Sligo, Longford, Derry, Kilkenny, and Tipperary. I think we have about 12 or 13 different counties represented. I was talking to one of the lads from Carlow and he said he'd never have an opportunity to tog out to play with the likes of Noel Connors, Jason Forde or David McInerney. That was only in the training last weekend so it is great for those guys to have an opportunity to tog out to play with guys they never had an opportunity to play with before.” Phelan continued: “It is a reward for them as well. We can only bring 18 or 19 over, but it is still great. Willie and I, every year, we try to mix and match with experienced players and the new guys as well to give them a taste of it and an opportunity to represent Ireland. It is one thing for the lower tier county lads to play against lads in colleges or whatever, but at inter-county level they might never have an opportunity to play against them. Then to tog out in the same dressing room to play with them is a huge bonus for them. They really enjoy that element.” Ireland have found goals hard to come by on Scottish soil having drawn blanks on their last two visits. They looked to address this by including Kilkenny attacker and former GAA / GPA Hurler of the Year Richie Hogan. However, although Hogan was part of the initial squad and involved in the build-up, he suffered an injury in a club game for Danesfort and has had to pull out. The travelling panel still features Tipperary’s prolific full forward Jason Forde, who was an All-Ireland winner in 2016 whilst the defence is boosted by the inclusion of Clare full back David McInerney who was an All-Ireland winner in 2013 and a GAA / GPA All-Star that same year. McInerney also played in this fixture in 2015. There is also a place for Waterford’s left corner back Noel Connors, who received GAA / GPA All-Star Awards in 2010, 2015 and 2017. Conor Phelan has been struck by the passion and respect that exists for the game in Scotland. “It is huge for them,” Phelan states. “It is like going into a big town and the whole town is buzzing around it. There is a big fanfare around it and they really take it seriously. We haven't won over there in the last three years in the senior usually due to the fact that they are very strong. “The Under 21 team has won for the last three years, but senior wise they take it really serious, like we do, but they have the bit between their teeth and can be a very difficult team to break down.” Tweaks need to be made by players to their approach and that is why recent training sessions have been beneficial for the Irish team according to Phelan. “I suppose it takes a while for our players to adjust to the different rules,” Phelan remarks. “Probably a big thing for us is no catching and in a ruck or whatever if you kick the ball with your foot it is a free. “They can hit the ball off the ground from 60 yards out over the bar and that is worth two points to them. So for us giving away frees is a big no, but it is easier said than done when you spend your life playing hurling catching and then kicking. It is a natural reaction. “Going back to basics is what we try to do. If any rucks develop we try to get the ball out by using a bit of ground hurling, try to use the intelligence as well.” Hurlers from 13 different counties have been selected in a squad that has been training in recent weeks is captained by David English, who has played previously, from Joe McDonagh Cup champions Carlow. Westmeath’s influential Tommy Doyle, Laois goalkeeper Enda Rowland and Meath’s Damien Healy are the only survivors from last year’s squad. Ireland from:
Event Details The Scotland and Ireland seniors contest the Marine Harvest Quaich at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 20 October 2018. Throw in is at 2pm and John Keane is the match referee. There will be no live television coverage this year but the whole match will be shown in full on BBC ALBA from 4pm that afternoon. Earlier in the afternoon, Scotland Ladies face Dublin Ladies in the third and deciding match of their Shinty / Camogie series. Throw in is at noon and Martin MacLean is the match referee. Entry is £15 adults with £10 concessions and under 12s accompanied by a paying adult go free. Earlybird tickets can be purchased at www.shinty.com
(The photograph comes courtesy of www.neilgpaterson.com) |