Scotland Head Coach Drew McNeil has no injury concerns ahead of the 2013 Marine Harvest Shinty / Hurling International series between Ireland and Scotland.
McNeil said, “Everyone is fit and raring to go. Most of the squad finished playing shinty for their clubs a few weeks ago but even the boys from Newtonmore and Kyles Athletic, who played last weekend, have come through their games unscathed.”
McNeil looks set to give starting debuts to Newtonmore forwards Glen MacKintosh and Fraser MacKintosh whilst Lee Bain of Kingussie should also be involved at some stage for the first time. There is also the possibility that Scotland could have three brothers Finlay MacRae, Keith MacRae and John MacRae of Kinlochshiel - on the pitch at the same time.
Ireland co-managers John Meyler and Michael Walshe have included the usual mix of All-Stars and players from the three tiers of hurling. One boost for the Scots is that Cork’s Patrick Horgan, who scored 22 points in Ireland’s 25-19 victory at the Bught Park last year, has been unable to make the trip despite being originally in their plans.
Series Details
Scotland and Ireland meet in the first Marine Harvest Shinty / Hurling test at Croke Park on Saturday 26 October 2013. Throw-in is at 4.15pm and the match will be televised live by Irish channel TG4 (available over the internet) and broadcast later by BBC Alba.
The second test between Scotland and Ireland takes place a week after on Saturday 2 November 2013 at the Bught Park, Inverness. Throw-in is at 2pm and the match will be televised live by BBC2 Scotland and TG4. The second test will be preceded by the Shinty / Camogie meeting between Scotland and Dublin and the U21 Shinty / Hurling meeting between the two countries.
Picture courtesy of www.neilgpaterson.com