Scotland manager reflects on exciting shinty/hurling win
‘It was very exciting and very tense at the end,’ said Scotland manager Garry Reid as he reflected on his side’s thrilling 14-12 win over Ireland in the latest Marine Harvest shinty/hurling international at the Bught Park, Inverness.
The Scots went into the match with a game plan which involved getting the ball up to their forwards rather than them having to come deep but the elements on the day, and in particular a strong wind, meant both sides had to adjust their plans.
‘The wind in the first half hampered us,’ said Reid. ‘Balls forward were falling short and guys were forced to come deep to get possession. I must say their full back line was very good and they started the game well. I had noticed that whereas in the past the Irish have started slowly and allowed the Scots to run up early points, the last few years have been different and they were really swarming our players from the throw-in.
‘It was our preference to play against the wind from the start. We didn’t expect the Irish to be quite so accurate though and there was little we could do about some of their early scores, mainly from deep positions. Our keeper Stuart MacDonald was aware of how difficult it could be in one particular goal during the second half as the sun goes down so we were keen to defend that goal in the first half, even if it meant playing against the wind.
‘It was tough but we stuck in during the first half and quietened them down for a spell. The international game tests our boys to the limit. There’s no game like it. We tried to replicate the pressure the players face in training as we have to adapt to tackling where their players are all over you, holding your stick and playing at a tremendous pace. Some commented afterwards that they had never been tested like that before.
‘We had to change things because of how the game went in the first period. We took Greg Matheson, Glen MacKintosh and Evan Menzies off to save them for the second half when they would see more of the ball up top. Andrew MacCuish acquitted himself very well when he came on and he got a good point in the second half. Arran MacPhee also made an impact and rattled the Irish defence to the extent that the foul they committed on him late in the half allowed Kevin Bartlett to get the two points in the first half that were to be so important to us in the end.’
The half-time interval is often where managers have to do their work and for Garry Reid, the message to his players was clear: ‘At half-time, it was a case of telling the players not to panic, to stay calm and to stay focussed and, importantly, to keep our discipline and not move out of position by chasing balls all over the park. When the game restarted, we took advantage of the two-point opportunities as Kevin Bartlett normally does. We had to work hard for the fouls that gave us the frees. They were not given away easily by the Irish as has happened some years. Our players kept going and that was crucial, as was picking up single points such as the two from Greg Matheson.’
Reid emphasised the role the whole squad played: ‘I said before the game we would need all 20 players to play their part and that’s the way it turned out. I’ve already mentioned Andrew MacCuish and Arran MacPhee and Lorne Dickie is another example. He may have taken five minutes to settle in but when he did he really got into it and set up Greg Matheson for his first point. Lorne has such ability and the heart of a lion and we knew his passing would cause them problems.’
There were also fine performances from the usual stalwarts. ‘Finlay MacRae showed, especially in the second half, what an exceptional player he is. Rory Kennedy also did a real turn, coming back on after injury following Grant Irvine’s head cut and he was excellent at half back. Grant received stitches on the sidelines and was desperate to come back on but there was no need as I always felt we had the squad for the job and I trusted every player.’
With the Scotland U21s still to play in Dublin next week, the shinty/ hurling hybrid game is again in the spotlight.
Garry said: ‘There’s always a lot of discussion around the merits of the shinty/hurling international at this time of year. From my point of view, there are two factors which I hope are taken into account. Firstly, I hope there’s recognisance of what a fantastic outlet this is for the 20 players who were selected and what it means to them. We should regard these games as a reward at the end of the season for our game’s best players. For the first time this year, the players were presented with their Scotland shirts at the annual Marine Harvest awards on the Friday evening, which was terrific. They don’t all have the opportunity to win medals each year, so the international is great recognition for what they have achieved over the season. We had 32 players desperate to be selected. I hear folk refer to a drop in standards, but no, not for me. These players’ skill and fitness was not in question.
‘Secondly, the international allows youngsters taking up shinty to set out with the ambition of playing for Scotland. Shinty has to compete
with many other activities – sporting or otherwise – so it is important it is an attractive option for youngsters. The pathway is there at international level through development at U17 level to the U21s and then on to the seniors and we’re not far from having it right.’
It’s not all one-way either, as Garry points out: ‘The Irish squad are very keen on the game too.
‘Their players were on their knees in disappointment at the final whistle.
‘They really wanted to win. The international also allows their players to represent their country and, as their manager Conor Phelan pointed out ahead of the game, it provides the opportunity for their second and third tier players to mix and play with the elite players and that’s a chance they wouldn’t otherwise have.
‘There will be discussions, and that’s healthy, but I hope the Camanachd Association and the GAA recognise all of these points.
‘It’s also important that the two associations continue dialogue regarding the rules of the game so they suit both parties.
‘Some of the rules were relaxed this year such as moving feet at frees and that, coupled with the Irish referee who did very well, helped make the match a great spectacle.
The international was a fitting end of a good shinty season.’