Scotland University Representative Squad Captains Announced | |
24 January 2014 The captains have been announced for the Scotland University squads who have a Shinty / Hurling / Camogie meeting with Ulster University in Northern Ireland on Saturday 25 January 2014. Ulster University Men v Scotland University Men Scotland men’s coach George Hay has confirmed that Lochcarron player Finlay Stark from The University of Edinburgh, will captain men’s squad whilst Glasgow Mid Argyll's Innes MacMillan, from The University of Glasgow, will be the vice-captain. Finlay Stark has represented the Scots for the past three years so he has plenty experience of the Shinty / Hurling game. Following news of his appointment, Stark said, “It’s a great honour to be selected as the Scotland University captain this year, especially considering some of the experience and quality we have in the squad. I’m very much looking forward to the game this year. Playing the tie in another country always adds a bit more excitement, and we had successful ventures to Newcastle and Sunderland in recent years, and heading to Belfast this year should prove to be not only a tough test but also another good weekend for all involved. We have won the tie against the British University Hurlers reasonably comfortably the last couple of years; not because it was easy but because of the quality in our squad. Most university teams are made up of a vast variety of beginners, experienced and less experienced players which makes it a fantastic platform to promote the sport and recruit players who have never played before while also including some top shinty players from around the country. With the Scottish University squad this year boasting players who have represented Scotland at U21 level as well as having Camanachd Cup winners medals to mention but a few accolades, I think it begins to show the strength of shinty at this level. This match against Ulster University, a strong team that will field players of club and county level, will be a real chance to test ourselves at a very high level and potentially/hopefully prove what I’ve said.” Ulster University Women v Scotland University Women Scotland Women’s Coach Fiona Mathie has prepared her squad for the historic encounter. She said, “I’m very nervous. A lot of work has gone into making this event happen and it couldn’t have been possible without the support of Scottish Student Sport, George Hay, Paul Rouse from the University of Ulster for supplying the opposition in Ireland and of course the players giving up their time to attend the trials, training and compete in this match. I have complete confidence in the girls, who have a lot of experience both at university and international level. As always with the time of year and timescales to fit in with university leagues, we have not been able to have as many training sessions as we would have liked but we have selected a really strong squad so it will be great seeing them all playing well together on the day of the match. It’s exciting as this is the first time going to Ireland so it’s a lot of pressure to succeed and do well.” Alannah Savage from St Andrews University will captain the Scotland Universities women and she was equally delighted with the honour. She said, “It is both an honour and a privilege for me to be this year’s captain. A good captain can see individual strengths but at the same time is able to motivate everyone as team as I intend to do on Saturday to bring Scotland to victory. The pressure is on! I have played with a lot of these girls over the past few years and I know how skillful and determined they are so my role will not be difficult in that respect” Alana Harrison from Strathclyde University will be the Scotland University women’s vice captain. She added, “It’s nice to know after four years of playing university shinty, that people recognise the work you put in and want to reward you for it. The Ulster team poses a huge threat to us as they are already a developed team with lots of experience playing together at a very high level – it definitely gives the edge in a game like this. We’re hoping, though, that with such a high standard of players selected for us, we’ll be able to give them a competitive match.” This is a special year for the competition as it’s the 10th Anniversary, and also because for the first time the game will be played in Ireland. Both squads departed from Glasgow at lunchtime on Friday 24 January 2014 and travelled to Newtownabbey in preparation for the matches which take place on Saturday 25 January 2014 at the University of Ulster. The women’s match throws in at noon whilst the men’s meeting throws in at 2pm.
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