Scotland Head Coach Ronald Ross is in no doubt that his players will face a stiff test in the Marine Harvest Shinty / Hurling first test against Ireland at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 18 October 2014.
40 year old Ross is no stranger to these games. He made his Scotland senior debut in Athenrye when, as a 17 year old, he also played for the Scotland U21s earlier in the day. It should be no surprise that he made an immediate impact on the senior international scene, coming off the substitutes’ bench to set up the winning goal during Donnie Grant’s reign in charge. He has been more-or-less a Scotland regular ever since, managing the Scotland U21s for the last two years whilst influencing the Scotland U17 set-up for a couple of decades. He also captained Scotland in 2010 but had mixed fortunes that day as he scored a goal but had to leave the field in the first half with what was to later prove to be a trouble-some ankle ligament injury.
All that experience will be put to the test as Ross pits his wits against experienced Ireland boss, Michael Walsh from Kilkenny.
“The Irish will be very strong,” says Ross. “We also know they will run all day and they have top drawer players in their squad such as Cork’s Patrick Horgan who scored 22 of their 25 points when they beat us in at the Bught Park a couple of years ago. Horgan’s Cork team-mate Conor Lehane is another good player as of course is Patrick Maher from Tipperary and all three have just been named as the GAA GPA All Star nominees. Clare defender David McInerney is also included and he was excellent when Clare won the All-Ireland a couple of years ago. The only bonus is that Neil McManus, who captained the Irish side last year, is not included. He scored a lot of points and was very good from 65s. We know it’s a big task but the stage is there for our players to show everyone how good they are.”
Event Details
The 2014 Marine Harvest Shinty / Hurling International First Test will take place at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 18 October 2014. The throw-in is at 2pm and tickets are available at the ground on the day or in advance at Eden Court Theatre - £10 adults, £5 concessions and U12s go free if accompanied by a paying adult. Discounts are available to Camanachd Association members. Anyone who is unable attend the game can watch the action live by tuning into BBC2 Scotland and TG4 in Ireland.
The Second Test takes place a week later at Pairc Esler, Newry, Northern Ireland, on Saturday 25 October 2014. Throw-in is at 5pm and the Second Test will be broadcast by TG4 in Ireland and BBC Alba in Scotland.
Scotland U21 and Ireland U21 also meet in their Shinty / Hurling international at Newry on Saturday 25 October 2014. Throw-in is at 3pm.
Scotland’s Senior Women face a Shinty / Camogie clash with a County Down select at Newry on Saturday 25 October 2014. Throw-in is at 1pm.
(Picture courtesy of Neil G Paterson)