Scotland Head Coach Drew McNeil says that the fitness sessions and training sessions are crucial to his side’s preparation for the Marine Harvest Shinty / Hurling International series against Ireland.

As both player and manager in the international series, McNeil knows what is required of his squad to compete at this level. “Hurling is an explosive sport and it is very intense,” he says. “We play 45 minutes per half during a shinty match whilst a hurling game is 35 minutes for each half. However it has been timed that a ball will be in play for an average 24-25 minutes in a shinty match and in play for well over 30 minutes during a hurling match. That is almost constant for the hurlers whilst shinty players are used to having a physical and mental rest during their matches. These statistics show how intense hurling is and we have to match that in the internationals.”

McNeil clearly has admiration for the efforts the hurlers put into their sport. “You have to be an exceptional hurling player to even get out of club hurling. There is so much choice and these guys are training four times a week to get onto County panels. You have to be so competitive and have fitness and strength to get to the top as there are so many hurlers trying to win a place. These are the challenges we face and to meet them, we have to be sure that we prepare well. That’s why the fitness sessions are so important. We benchmark how our players do in these fitness sessions and the results show improvements, not just in the lead up to the international, but also year by year.”

The Scotland boss added, “We also have to deal with the fact that the Irish are currently playing club hurling whilst some of our players this season finished playing a few weeks ago so we want our guys to keep their fitness levels up.”   

2012 Shinty / Hurling / Camogie Programme

Saturday 20 October 2012 - Scotland v Ireland

The first Shinty / Hurling test between the Scotland and Ireland senior teams takes place at the Bught Park, Inverness at Saturday 20 October 2012. Throw-in is at 1.15pm. Admission is £10 for Adults, £5 for concessions and under 12s go free. Bring your Camanachd Association membership card and get a 20% discount! 

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 Womens 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