The Scotland Women are sure to be put to the test when they meet a Clare Camogie select in a Shinty / Camogie international at the Father McNamara Camogie Field, County Clare on Saturday 27 October 2012.

The Scotland team this year is led by two former internationals; Sarah Corrigall and Laura MacKay.

The duo have prepared there squad well. After three trail matches to make their selection, the squad were put through three team training sessions, each lasting three hours long. Corrigall and MacKay had divided loyalties at the recent North v South clash with Sarah Corrigall coaching the North and Laura MacKay taking up the lead for the South. Their presence also gave all the Scotland squad players on show the chance to catch the eye ahead of the international.

However they know their charges are in for a difficult game. “Clare have enjoyed recent success,” said Sarah Corrigall, “So we know we are in tough game. A cousin of one of our players, Yvonne Connaughton, was asked to play for them and she is a Camogie All-Star so we know the standard will be very good. We’ve been trying to pitch the standard of opposition for these international matches at the right level in recent years. We found the full Irish team to be too strong a couple of years back. However we had a big winning margin over the British hurling team last year. Therefore it is going to be interesting to see how we compete with the County Claire select team.”

Corrigall added, “We were with the squad at the senior international at the Bught Park last weekend and it was good for everyone to watch first hand just how the game was played. We took some pointers from that match which we hope to take into Saturday morning’s game.”

The Scots were boosted by the news that JIG Groundworks of Kiltarlity, leading specialists in lock blocking, slabbing, kerbing, drainage, house foundations and general concrete works, will be their shirt sponsors for the game. James Gallacher, father of Scotland forward and 2011 Player of the Year, Laura Gallacher, owns the company and the women’s kit is supplied by DCR Sports / www.shintyshop.com 

The Shinty / Camogie international between Scotland and Clare will be 15-a-side, played for 30 minutes each way. Throw-in is at 11am  

Scotland Women from;

Annie Butterworth – Glengarry

Karen Cameron - Glengarry

Yvonne Connaughton - Tir Conaill Harps

Orla Coughlan - Tir Conaill Harps

Kirsty Deans - Badenoch & Strathspey

Niamh Donnelly - Aberdour

Katie Drain - Glasgow Mid Argyll

Jenny Durkin - Aberdour

Laura Gallacher - Glengarry

Joanne Gillanders - Glengarry

Alana Harrison - Glasgow Mid Argyll

Lucy MacLeod - Strathglass

Lorna MacRae – Skye Camanachd (captain)

Laura McCafferty - Glasgow Mid Argyll

Rachel McCafferty - Glasgow Mid Argyll

Elizabeth McGregor - Badenoch & Strathspey

Jeanette McGregor - Badenoch & Strathspey

Jane Nicol – Badenoch & Strathspey

Katy Smith - Aberdour

Elaine Wink - Glengarry

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 2012. 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