Scotland Head Coach Ronald Ross said Finlay MacRae was the obvious choice as for team captain ahead of the Marine Harvest Shinty / Hurling first test against Ireland at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 18 October 2014.
Speaking ahead of his first match in charge of the Scotland team, Ross said, “Finlay deserves to be captain. He has been involved in the international scene from the U17 age group, through the U21s and then into the seniors and he has never looked back. He was the stand-out candidate this year and he is someone who is respected by his team-mates and his opponents. Finlay is an outstanding player who has really bought into the international process. He’s always at the training sessions and he is a role-model for other players both on and off the park.”
The Kinlochshiel player could hardly hide his pride at being given the Scotland armband. “I have been playing internationals for a number of years now and I think this is my ninth year at this level. The manager pulled me aside after training on Wednesday evening and told me I was to be the captain and it is something you want to do in your career, to lead out your country. It means a great deal to me. I know it is something I will always look back on and I was delighted when I was told.”
Series 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)