Scotland boss Drew McNeil took time out to reflect on his side’s 25-19 defeat to Ireland in the Marine Harvest Shinty / Hurling International first test at the Bught Park on Saturday 20 October 2012.

The Scotland Head Coach has been studying video footage of the game and he knows that the outcome could have been so different. “It was a very frustrating game at times,” he said. “We missed fourteen dead ball opportunities to add to our points tally throughout the game. Even taking some of these chances would have made a huge difference to the outcome. The irony is that our hitting from frees was great during the training session on Friday but it turned out to be our achilles heel during the game.”

The new scoring system didn’t work to Scotland’s advantage early in the game. “The early Irish goals left the crowd a bit flat,” felt McNeil. “It left a ten point gap which seemed a wide margin so early in the game. But we showed in the second half how quickly you can whittle down that advantage and the crowd were right behind us at the end.”

However McNeil is upbeat ahead of the second test and he added, “The two late goals mean that it is everything to play for on Saturday. We currently trail 3-1 in the series (Ireland get two points for the win and each side gets a bonus point for scoring at least two goals) but there is no reason why we can’t do well over there and repeat the win we had last year.”

2012 Shinty / Hurling / Camogie Programme

Friday 26 October 2012 - Ireland U21 v Scotland U21

The Ireland U21 and Scotland U21 sides meet under the floodlights at St. Josephs Doora Barefield, Ennis on Friday 26 October 2012 with a 7pm throw-in. Admission is free.

Saturday 27 October – Clare v Scotland

The Scotland Women’s squad meet a Clare Camogie select at the Father McNamara Camogie Field, County Clare on Saturday 27 October. Throw-in is at 11am and admission is free.

Saturday 27 October 2012 – Ireland v Scotland

The second Shinty / Hurling test between the Ireland and Scotland senior teams takes place at Cusack Park, Ennis on Saturday 27 October 2012 with a 2.05pm start. Admission is free.

Photograph courtesy of www.neilgpaterson.com