Scotland U21s look to go one better in 2018
Scotland U21 head coach Alan MacRae and his squad are looking to go one better than last year as they get set for their shinty/hurling meeting with Ireland U21 at the GAA National Games Development Centre, Abbotstown, Dublin, this Saturday, November 3.
A strong Irish squad came from 10-6 down at half-time to win 19-15 in Inverness 12 months ago and given the Scots have managed just one previous success on Irish soil - in 2014 – this will be a stern test.
The squad travel to Dublin on Friday November 2 looking forward to playing at the excellent GAA National Games Development Centre in Abbotstown where the playing surface has been created as an image of Croke Park. The Scotland U17 development squad played there during their last two Ireland tours so the surroundings will be familiar to John Gillies, Ross MacMillan, Iain Robinson, Roddy Young and Daniel Sloss.
With the preparations all but complete, Alan MacRae knows what he wants from his players. He said: ‘The commitment from players is paramount for me. I have to have that and I’m afraid if any players don’t commit then they are not involved. We’ve had good commitment this year and that’s pleased me with players travelling to sessions on Sundays, after their Saturday game from Glasgow, Oban and Skye. It’s the same for the staff. It’s been a big effort from everyone involved.’
The squad has previous experience at this level with only six additions to last year’s 19-player squad. The new caps are Oban Camanachd’s Daniel Sloss, Oban Celtic’s Ross MacMillan, Jonnie MacAskill from Glasgow Mid Argyll, Findlay MacDonald from Lochaber, Newtonmore’s Iain Robinson and Kingussie’s Roddy Young. They come in for Fort William’s Arran MacPhee, who made the step-up to the senior side this year, Skye’s Ally MacLeod, Savio Genini from Kingussie, Glengarry’s Nick Dalgety and Barry MacDonald from Lochaber.
Alan continued: ‘We had a young squad last year which has allowed us a degree of continuation but has also allowed us to add a few players who showed up well in training and our practice matches against the seniors.
‘A few players will have been left disappointed and it’s always difficult to pick the final squad. But I’ve told players that just because I’ve not picked them, it doesn’t mean they are not the best players. It’s just there are others who I think are more suitable to the shinty/hurling game. You have to be able to complete man-to-man over the full game. The game itself is so intense – so full on. I can recall a new cap coming on as a substitute last year and telling them that the game will be really fast from the beginning. Speaking to them afterwards, they said they’d never been involved in anything like that in their lives.
‘We’ve taken six new players in, including forwards Roddy Young, Iain Robinson and Findlay MacDonald who give us plenty of fire-power.
‘It’s also hard to believe Oban Camanachd’s Daniel Sloss is only 16 years old. What a talent he is and whilst, at first, I was wary of taking someone so young, he’s a quality defender and that can’t be ignored. In many ways he’s an old head on young shoulders.
‘Oban Celtic’s Ross MacMillan has also had a cracking season. He’s really knuckled down and been so committed to training. He’s probably Oban Celtic’s main man and sometimes I’m not sure he realises just what a good player he is. It’s also a bonus that he’s one of a number of players in the squad who is versatile.
‘Jonnie MacAskill has done so well do. He joined GMA from Kinlochshiel at the start of the season and has really impressed.
‘There’s a bit of experience in the squad too. Caberfeidh’s Blair Morrison captains the squad and this is his fifth year with the U21s. Skye’s Will Cowie, winning his third cap, has looked sharp and he has been consistent this season.
‘I was also really pleased to see Arran MacPhee make the step up to the seniors from last year’s squad.’
The unknown at this stage is the Irish squad but previous experience supports the theory that they will be nothing but tough opponents. Alan MacRae agreed: ‘Hurling is so big over there and the Irish have included fine players in recent years. Waterford’s Austin Gleeson and Clare’s Tony Kelly have previously been involved in this fixture, whilst Sean Finn, who was last year’s Ireland U21 captain, was right corner-back last August when Limerick won their first All-Ireland title in 45 years and he was nominated for an All-Star. Waterford pair Patrick Curran and Shane Bennett both also played last year and both have broken into the senior Waterford squad.
‘It’s also at coaching level. Willie Maher, who was previously involved with the Irish U21s and who was co-manager of the seniors this year and last, was very much in the mix for the Tipperary manager’s job before it went to Liam Sheedy.’
Alan MacRae is clear where the international sits in the grand scheme of things. ‘The international is something for the players to aspire to. You really see how big it is and how important it is when you’re involved with it. It’s a massive deal to everyone involved and you see how proud the Scots and Irish are to represent their countries.’
‘It will be hard but we’re all looking forward to it,’ said Alan. ‘The experience from last year will help, as will the experience the players have had playing for Scotland U17.
‘I said to the players a month ago that we should give it a final push and really go for it. They have been training hard and they are keen to go one better than last year.’
Alan MacRae will be assisted by Inverness manager Callum McLeod. Davie McVey is the fitness trainer, whilst Lorna Forsyth is the physio.
Scotland U21 from: Scott MacLachlan, Inveraray; Lachlan Smith, Glenurquhart; Rory MacKeachan, Kingussie; Daniel Sloss, Oban Camanachd; Robert Mabon, Kingussie; Craig Ritchie, Newtonmore; Blair Morrison, Caberfeidh, captain; Iain Richardson, Newtonmore; Ross MacMillan, Oban Celtic; John Gillies, Skye Camanachd; Calum Grant, Kingussie; Danny Kelly, Lovat; Jonnie MacAskill, Glasgow Mid Argyll; Calum Shepherd, Fort William; Innes Blackhall, Kilmallie; Will Cowie, Skye Camanachd; Alexander MacMillan, Fort William; Findlay MacDonald, Lochaber; Iain Robinson, Newtonmore, and Roddy Young, Kingussie.
Throw-in is at 2pm and Camanachd Association Grade One referee Archie Ritchie is the man in the middle.
2018 Camanachd Association AGM
The 2018 Camanachd Association annual general meeting will take place in the Muthu West End Hotel, Fort William, on Friday November 30, from 7.30pm.
The agenda will be sent to all voting members by Friday November 16.