Scotland Womens Head Coach Stuart Reid has gathered his squad together for a light training session on Friday 1 November 2013 as he makes his final preparations ahead of the Marine Harvest Shinty / Camogie meeting with Dublin at the Bught Park on Saturday 2 November 2013.

Reid said, “We have scheduled a light training session for Friday when we’ll also put the finishing touches to the starting line-up. The squad is injury free other than the usual niggles after a long season. I’m pleased to have a full squad but it is tough on those players on the stand-by list who have come along to all our sessions and they have pushed the girls in the squad all the way. As well as our regular sessions, we played a Camogie team in Newtonmore a fortnight ago and that was a valuable exercise.”   

The scheduling means an early start for the Womens squad but that doesn’t faze Reid. “There is a possibility that the game could be switched to the outside pitch if the recent wet weather means Bught cannot take three games. Throw in is currently set for 10.30am but the early start does not phase Reid. “We’ve known about it for a couple of weeks now,” he said, “so we have been able to prepare for it.”

Reid is fully aware that Saturday’s fixture will provide a great challenge for his squad. “We have done some research on Dublin. They are unbeaten this year and they are of course Junior All-Ireland champions which is obviously a very high standard so this is going to be a step up for the squad.”

On his own squad, Reid, who is assisted by Eoghan Stewart (Lewis Camanachd), Scott Campbell (Newtonmore) and Yvonne Connaughton (Glasgow Mid Argyll), added, “We’ve included ten new players this year. However I must say that the more experienced players in the squad have been making the debutants aware of what it is all about which is great. We are all very much looking forward to the game.”

Event Details

The provisional throw in times have been set for the Shinty / Hurling / Camogie internationals on Saturday 2 November 2013.

Shinty / Camogie - Scotland v Dublin County

The opening match will be the game between the Scotland Womens team and the Dublin County Junior side. Throw in is at 10.30am on the Bught Park but there is a possibility that the game could be moved to the outside pitch if the weather deteriorates. Evan MacRae is the match referee.

Marine Harvest U21 International – Scotland U21 v Ireland U21

Next up is the meeting between Scotland U21 and Ireland U21 at the Bught Park. Throw in is currently scheduled for 12 noon and Eamonn Hassan, who refereed the senior international between the two countries last weekend, is the man in the middle.    

Marine Harvest Senior International – Scotland v Ireland

The main event is the second test between the Scotland and Ireland on the Bught Park. The Scots trail 3-1 after Irelands 24-18 win in the first test at Croke Park last weekend. Throw in is at 2pm and Deek Cameron is the match referee. The whole match will be shown live on BBC2 Scotland.

Other Attractions

The Shinty Shop will be in attendance and supporters can purchase all the usual equipment including replica Scotland merchandise and Neil Beaton’s new book for youngsters, The Shinty Match.

Scottish and Irish musicians will take part in a cultural exchange in the beer tent and this has been made possible through funding from Colmcille and support from Feisean nan Gaidheal.

Food and drink will be available throughout the day.

Tickets cost £10 for adults, £5 for concessions and U12s are free with a paying adult.

Camanachd Association members will receive 20% off their ticket price by showing their membership card.

Tickets for this event, which is supported also by EventScotland, can be purchased now on Ticketmaster online http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/The-Marine-Harvest-ShintyHurling-International-tickets/artist/5116159.

Picture courtesy of www.neilgpaterson.com