Barr looking for Scots advantage
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
JOHN Barr believes Scotland must make full use of home advantage and take something out of tomorrow’s shinty/hurling international first leg encounter with Ireland.
Bught Park provides the backdrop for a clash that the Irish have dominated in recent times.
You have to go back four years to find the last time Scotland prevailed over the two legs, but Barr is hopeful that can all change over the next seven days.
One of a trio of Glenurquhart players selected for manager Drew McNeil’s squad, Barr is an experienced campaigner at international level.
It is his know-how that will be relied upon greatly against Ireland tomorrow where the general consensus of opinion is that Scotland have to emerge with something tangible to take into the second leg.
Barr would certainly not disagree and with the backing of a strong home support, he is looking to claim a morale-boosting win.
"The last couple of years we’ve always been away for the first leg, so it will be good to play at home," he said.
"With us being at home, then it’s important we get a good start and make the best of what I hope will be a strong home crowd.
"The games are normally fairly tight, but there’s no doubt that we want to try and make it a winning start and the supporters can help us do that."
As one of the more senior players, Barr (30) is part of a Scotland set-up that has seen several of the under-21 squad from previous years make the step up.
McNeil has shown faith by promoting the younger players and Barr is adamant the current Scottish squad is up there with the best of them.
"There’s no doubt we have a good mix of youth and experience," he said.
"It’s one of the strongest squads that I’ve been involved in from the point of view that we have some very mobile players.
"The plan is to keep the ball on the ground and get it out wide with the aim to cut right through the Irish.
"The young players have helped us bring in a more attacking style of game, although we have to make sure the ball is kept on the deck because if it becomes an aerial battle then it is the Irish who will be the stronger."
A change to the rules for this year means that instead of three points for a goal, it will now be five.
This again points to an advantage for the Scots against the Irish hurlers, who are more used to putting the ball over the crossbar for a point rather than under it.
"On paper, it should make a difference to Scotland, but if you look at the last few years then the Irish have scored quite a few goals," said Barr.
"It will certainly make it a more entertaining game for the crowd as opposed to both teams perhaps looking to pick up single points by just knocking it over the bar."
For Barr, this match represents the chance to finish what has been a memorable season on a high.
Glenurquhart comfortably secured their Premiership status, but the major success for the Drumnadrochit-based club was victory in the MacAulay Cup.
This was the Glen’s first senior trophy and while that memory will reside with Barr for a lifetime, it could be made all the sweeter should he be part of a Scottish team that triumphs over what will be two keenly-contested legs.
"If Scotland can win it would just cap it all off very nicely," he said.
"We had a decent enough finish in the league, but to win our first ever senior cup was just the best feeling in the world.
"Now, if we can go out and beat Ireland over two legs it would be a fitting end to the season, but we know how tough that is going to be."
