As both the Scotland and Ireland senior squads recover from their Marine Harvest Shinty / Hurling first test clash at the Bught Park, their respective Head Coaches will now focus on the encounter at Pairc Esler, Newry on Saturday 25 October 2014.
Scotland boss Ronald Ross lost both Fort William’s Gary Innes and Calum Miller from Kyles Athletic early on in last Saturday’s encounter. Innes had been unwell overnight with food poisoning whilst Miller suffered a blow to the cheek-bone and had to leave the field although he did return later in the game. The early indications are that Innes will be fit to play. Miller will have an x-ray on his injury but he also hopes to join the squad on Friday’s flight to Ireland. Skye’s Steven Morrison took a blow to the face which has left him with a black eye or two but he is fit for the return game.
Ireland boss Michael Walshe will be without Cork forward Patrick Horgan as he is on holiday. The Irish are looking into the possibility of drafting Galway talisman Joe Canning into the squad. The 26 year old full-forward is regarded as one of hurling’s modern-day greats and has had All-Ireland success at minor and U21 level and he has had Leinster and National League success at senior level. He is current Galway captain and his individual awards include:
- 2008 Young Hurler of the Year
- Three All Star Awards – 2008, 2009, 2012
- He was named in the best Galway team of the last 50 years
- He has more followers on Twitter than any other hurlers which is a sign of his popularity
In June 2014, Canning scored (2-3) 9 against Kilkenny in the Leinster Senior Final Galway came back from 10 pints down with six minutes to play to force a draw. Canning scored the last point of the game with the last play of the game from out on the left near the touch-line to level the game after Henry Shefflin appeared to have won it for Kilkenny with a similar point at the other end. Canning’s inclusion will certainly not waken the Irish.
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)