Scotland Head Coach Ronald Ross said he could not have asked more of his players following their 23-14 win over Ireland in the Marine Harvest Shinty / Hurling international at the Bught Park on Saturday 18 October 2014.
“In a lot of ways, the first game for me was more about the performance than the result,” said Ross who is assisted by experienced campaigners Ally Ferguson and Jimmy Gow. “We wanted the players to be competitive on the field and to restore pride. They certainly did that and the boys are now full of confidence and we have something to build on so the match was a positive step forward. A lot of our players haven’t been active in terms of games for their clubs in recent weeks. So we focused on having three or four quality preparation sessions ahead of the series. They were good sessions and they have proved to be good preparation and we couldn’t have asked more of the players. I want every shinty player to want to be part of the Scotland squad so that there is competition for places but those who were involved at the weekend will take a lot of shifting.”
Ireland boss Michael Walshe prepares for this final match in charge of the senior side and the likeable Kilkenny man was full of praise for the Scots following the first test. “I thought Scotland were the better team. They played extremely well. We didn’t play as well as we can but we have to hand it to Scotland. They were by far the better team. Our two goals were very well taken but we didn’t do it enough. And we weren’t allowed to do it enough by a very well drilled Scotland team.” However Walshe will want to sign-off with a victory and he will be determined to redress the balance of the series in Saturday’s encounter. He added, “Its half time and we are a bit behind but it’s not over yet and we’ll fight tooth and nail next week.”
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 live TG4 in Ireland and on BBC Alba in Scotland the following day.
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.
Entry to all matches is FREE!
(Picture courtesy of Neil G Paterson)