Scotland skipper confident of seeing off Irish
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SCOTLAND take a nine point and a 3-1 series lead into tomorrow’s second leg of the 2014 shinty-hurling clash.
Despite the clear advantage for the Scots there is no complacency in the squad according Scotland captain, Finlay MacRae of Kinlochshiel.
"We know it is going to be tough but we are prepared," he said. "They will fly at us from the start but I am confident that we have enough in our locker to see this one through."
A stalwart with one of the sport’s smaller clubs, MacRae has shone at the cross-codes compromised rules and with successive Scotland managers his name has been among the first to be on the team lines.
Capped at 17 for the under 21’s MacRae went onto gain a further three successive caps, before being promoted into the senior ranks where he has remained for eight years, making him one of the most capped shinty players in history.
Such is his dedication to the international game MacRae has played in just about every position, apart from goal, but his assured performance at fullback against the Irish in Saturday’s clash at the Bught provided a compelling case for MacRae to become the bedrock of the Scotland defence for years to come.
"I did feel comfortable in the position on Saturday although I have to say it is fairly intimidating when the hurlers are running at you full pelt with the ball on the end of their sticks," he said. "It is true that some of them can run as fast with the ball on the stick as they can in a straightforward sprint."
Manager Ronald Ross’s decision to pair MacRae with Newtonmore’s Steve MacDonald proved a winner with the duo bringing badly needed pace to the Scot’s rearguard.
MacRae was full of praise for the defensive unit which included debutants Calum Millar from Kyles and Skye’s Steven Morrison, which underpinned the Scots’ first win over the Irish since 2010.
"I think it worked well — we played five at the back instead of six and that gave us more in attack. I also thought the midfield lads played their part, spoiling the Irish attacks."
Looking ahead for tomorrow’s vital clash MacRae expects the Scots to line up along the same lines as in the first leg with Gary Innes fully recovered from food poisoning which saw him leave the action after less than 10 minutes.
"The Irish had nine new caps but after their experience at the Bught they will be fully aware what we are about," said MacRae. "We are expecting a hot reception and there is no way they will be cutting the grass as short as it was at the Bught which obviously suited us."
"It would be the biggest honour of my career to lead us to victory. But it’s not just about me — I think we have a great squad and management team so it would be really fantastic to help bring them success."
As a warm-up to the big event there is a ladies match where the Scots face a top Camogie side (Women’s Hurling) and also an under 21 clash.
Under-21 coach Gary Reid plots a rare success at junior level but has chosen a strong side, captained by Lovat striker Greg Matheson and with a number of Premiership players including Fraser Heath from Glenurquhart.
