The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Scots go South for a leader
Shinty: Irvine to break 30 years of North captaincy in game against Irish
Grant Irvine will make history when he captains Scotland in Saturday’s shinty-hurling international against Ireland in Inverness, breaking 30 years of North possession of the skipper’s job.
The classy Kyles Athletic player will gain his 12th full international cap.
He said: “I’ve played with fine international captains such as John Barr and Finlay Macrae, who fully deserved their recogni- tion, so I’m surprised and honoured to get the job. Garry Reid has come in as the new senior manager and he’s bringing a fresh approach, new caps and potentially a new formation.
“South players have tended not to be considered as captain, but Gary has set that aside and it will be an encouragement to other South lads. Garry was working for the Camanachd Association when he took me to Dublin when I was only 15 for my first taste of shinty-hurling.”
Reid said: “I chose Grant on merit for the job because he’s a natural leader as well as being a bubbly character in the dressing-room. I hadn’t realised until he told me that it’s been so long since a South man was recognised.”
Irvine is a 30-year-old asset manager at Braehead shopping centre in Glasgow, Scotland’s biggest retail venue. But he is also an immensely skilful and much admired player who figures with his club up front or midfield, though he is set to play in the latter position this weekend.
“The Irish tend to be slow to adjust in these games so we push for early points,” said Grant. “But once they get used to it, things even out and they finish strongly.
“I’m pleased the weather forecast seems OK as Ireland have an advantage on a wet surface as they don’t hit the ball off the ground while a soggy pitch can take 15 yards off our long hitting.
“The hurlers tend to be fit and fast and formidable physical specimens. I’m anything but bulky, but I’ve relished these games since I made my under-21 international debut 13 years ago.”
He added: “We’ve won in the past two seasons, though last year was tight with only three points in it and this should be anoth- er exciting affair. I regard Rory Kennedy, of Newtonmore, as the outstanding player in shinty and look forward to playing with him again.
“We’ve a really well-balanced squad and Oban’s Andrew MacCuish deserves his first cap and can do some damage.”
Irvine missed the 2016 victory through injury but made his contribution to last year’s success and his penetrating runs can be an asset for the Scots as they go for a famous hat-trick.
“The Irish can be slow to adjust so we’ll push for early points”