Scots boss declares himself happy with squad’s firepower

Manager Allan MacRae is pleased with the firepower available to him for tomorrow’s shinty-hurling under-21 international against Ireland at Abbotstown, Dublin – where the Scots had a shock win last year.

The Badenoch double act of Kingussie’s Roddy Young and Newtonmore’s Iain Robinson fired two goals apiece as the lads in blue won 25-13 and the pair are gunning for a happy return to the GAA National Performance Centre.

Lochaber’s Finlay Macdonald also found the net and is in the squad.

MacRae said: “Having these three once more in my forward options is very encouraging – they’ve played on the hybrid pitch and they know what it’s all about. This time we also have Ruaridh Anderson, who has played so well in Kingussie’s attack, while the powerful Innes Blackhall of Kilmallie can also play up front as well as midfield, so there’s goals in our line-up.

“It’s good to have a backbone of last year’s winning team. But we’ve also eight new caps so we need the lads with experience to help the new boys to bed in at this level.”

Inveraray goalkeeper Scott MacLachlan, Lachie Smith of Glen Urquhart, Newtonmore’s Iain Richardson, Danny Kelly of Lovat, Mid Argyll’s Jonathan Macaskill, Kingussie full-back Calum Grant and Blackhall also played in last year’s success.

The manager praises Oban Camanachd’s Daniel MacVicar for playing his way back into the squad.

“He played in 2016 but not in the last two years but he’s shown the commitment to win his place back and he’s really up for it.”

This is MacRae’s fourth time in charge and he has won twice and lost once.

Kerry’s Shane Conway, the Fitzgibbon Hurler of the Year, captains Ireland under-21s, who include highly rated Mark Kehoe, an All-Ireland final winner this year with his club Tipperary.

Iain Robinson