Scotland U21 Head Coach Garry Reid is looking forward to taking on Ireland U21 in their Shinty / Hurling international at Pairc Esler, Newry on Saturday 25 October 2014.
New Scotland U21 boss Reid has put his squad through their paces ahead of his first match in charge. “I was encouraged by the turn-out for the initial trials in Inveraray and Inverness,” said the Strathglass veteran. “Those involved all showed a real appetite to take part in this game. It’s great to see how keen they were to play.”
Following the trials, 38 players were selected for the resurrection of the North U21 v South U21 match and this contest gave Reid plenty food for thought. “That match certainly influenced my final selection. Some players, especially from the South who won well that day, really impressed and pushed themselves into the reckoning for the final pool of 19 players.”
The young Scots also had a match against the Scotland senior side and they learnt a lot from this encounter. “You would expect the seniors to come out on top in a game like that, but we picked up some valuable lessons from that game.” said Reid. “We kept trying to hit the ball over our opponents bar whenever we got into their half of the field. That’s alien to our game. I don’t want us to be rushing attempted efforts over the bar. I want to focus the team on playing shinty and working the ball closer to our opponents’ goal. We can pick up two-pointers from frees but I want us to try and score goals. That will be our philosophy in this game.”
Ireland U21 have named a strong squad of players, including Clare’s Tony Kelly who was named both 2013 GAA Hurler of the Year and 2013 GAA Young Hurler of the Year, for the contest but this doesn’t faze Reid. “It’s what you want,” he said. “If you are going to take part in these matches, you want to test yourself against the best. We will be playing at a big stadium and I’m not sure if Scotland U21 have ever won in Ireland so that’s a real incentive for us.”
The young Scots had a final session at the Bught Park ahead of the senior meeting between Scotland and Ireland.
Reid is clearly relishing his new role. He was previously the National Shinty Development Manager with the Camanachd Association where part of his duties involved taking the Scotland U17 squad to Ireland each year. “It’s good to be back in touch with youth shinty,” he said. “There is a lot of organising to do but I enjoy working with the players. They are good boys. However most seem to be aged 19 or 20 which makes me wonder where all the 21 year olds have gone?”
Series Details
The Shinty / Hurling senior international second test between Ireland and Scotland takes place at Pairc Esler, Newry, Northern Ireland on Saturday 25 October 2014. Throw-in is at 5pm and the game will be broadcast by TG4 in Ireland and BBC Alba in Scotland.
Scotland U21 and Ireland U21 also meet in their Shinty / Hurling international at Pairc Esler, Newry on Saturday 25 October 2014. Throw-in is at 3pm.
Scotland’s Senior Women face a Shinty / Camogie clash with a Co. Down select at Pairc Esler, Newry on Saturday 25 October 2014. Throw-in is at 1pm.
(Picture courtesy of Neil G Paterson)