hurling

Preview: Ireland v Scotland Shinty-Hurling International

19 October 2018 - 12:49PM

Ireland players Bryan Murphy and David McInerney pictured ahead of Saturday's Shinty-Hurling International against Scotland.

Saturday October 20

Hurling Shinty International

Scotland v Ireland, Bught Park, Inverness, 2pm

By Cian O'Connell

For the past three years Scotland have triumphed against Ireland so Conor Phelan and William Maher's team travel to Inverness this weekend eager to register a win.

Phelan and Maher's panel is sprinkled with quality as Waterford's Noel Connors, Clare's David McInerney, and Tipperary's Jason Forde supply plenty of guile and experience.

Kilkenny star Richie Hogan was involved, but injury rules out the gifted attacker, but with players from 13 different counties included a significant opportunity is being afforded to many developing hurlers.

Carlow claimed Joe McDonagh Cup glory in 2018 and David English captains the Irish team which also features accomplished performers in Laois custodian Enda Rowland and Westmeath full back Tommy Doyle.

During the past fortnight Phelan is encouraged by the response of the Irish players.

"We had two sessions in the last two weeks, but it is hard to get everyone together because of lads still being involved in club action and other commitments," Phelan says. "It is an opportunity to have a look at lads.

"Trying to get all the squad together to get to know each other is important and we had a couple of trials. It is just trying to get the squad together even for us as managers we are trying to get to know them.

"It is one thing for players to know each other, but we need to know them as well to see what positions would suit best and how they'd fit into the set-up."

Phelan, the popular Kilkenny Camogie coach, stresses the importance and value of skill in the Hurling-Shinty internationals.

"We have a strong squad," Phelan admits. "We tried to look for players with a bit of experience and guys who would be intelligent hurlers, who wouldn't panic on the ball and be good stickmen and have good pace. I think we have that throughout the squad."

IRELAND SQUAD:

1. Enda Rowland (Laois)

2. Brian Byrne (Kildare)

3. Damian Casey (Tyrone)

4. John Casey (Longford)

5. Darragh Clinton (Westmeath)

6. Noel Connors (Waterford)

7. Danny Cullen (Donegal)

8. Tommy Doyle (Westmeath)

9. Darragh Egerton (Westmeath)

10. David English (Carlow) CAPTAIN

11. Jason Forde (Tipperary)