RiCruden Scotland U17 Tour of Ireland:

Overview

Nineteen boys from 11 clubs across Scotland gathered at Edinburgh Airport on Sunday to embark on an exciting tour of Ireland. The tour featured a blend of cultural experiences and competitive hurling matches, showcasing the talents of the young Scottish shinty players.

Sunday: Arrival and Exploration

Upon arriving in Dublin, the team settled into their accommodation before heading to the city centre. The boys took the opportunity to explore Dublin, indulging in some shopping and immersing themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the All-Ireland Hurling Final. Following an eventful day, the team returned to their hotel for a meeting and an early night, preparing for the challenges ahead.

Monday: Training, Croke Park, and Match Against Dublin

The day began with an intense training session focusing on key skills such as blocking, fitness, hitting, finishing, and identifying who would take our 65s. Afterwards, the team enjoyed a tour of the iconic Croke Park, deepening their appreciation for the sport and its ties to shinty.

Later, Scotland faced Dublin at Parnell Park. Despite a slow start, the team found their rhythm, establishing a 14-point lead. An end of game rule change, enabling the hurlers to catch the ball, allowed Dublin to close the gap dramatically in just four minutes, but Scotland managed to secure victory. Shane O’Rua earned the Man of the Match title with his exceptional performance, contributing several goals and points.

Tuesday: Battle in Wexford

The team travelled to Wexford, where they encountered a formidable opponent. The home side dominated the first 35 minutes, challenging Scotland’s resolve. However, the team rallied in the second half, largely thanks to Archie Millar, who scored 18 of Scotland’s 26 points, all as two-pointers. Arran Stephen delivered an outstanding defensive performance, earning him the Man of the Match accolade. The thrilling match concluded with Archie Millar scoring a decisive two-pointer with the final hit, securing a narrow victory for Scotland in front of a 500-strong crowd.

Gratitude goes to both Dublin and Wexford for their hospitality and a special mention for the latter for providing a generous spread of food for the team before their two-hour journey back to Dublin.

Conclusion

The RiCruden Scotland U17 Tour of Ireland was a resounding success, both on and off the pitch. The young athletes gained invaluable experience and demonstrated commendable skill and determination throughout the tour. Their performances in Dublin and Wexford highlighted the promising future of these young men. Final huge thanks go to Seamus Curtis for all his support over in Ireland.

Squad

Charlie MacRae                   Beauly

Auryn Kerr                         Col Glen

Arran Stephen                     Fort William

Archie MacKinnon             Fort William

Alfie MacLeod                     Glenurquhart

Daniel MacLean                 Glenurquhart

Shane O’Rua                       Kilmallie

Fergus Sherlock                 Kingussie

Sam Thain                          Kingussie

Calum MacMillan                Kinlochshiel

Kieran Martin                      Kinlochshiel

Kyle Clark                          Newtonmore

Joe Coyle                           Newtonmore

Tristan Ross                        Newtonmore

Matthew Sloss                     Oban Camanachd

Alexander MacDonald      Oban Camanachd

Ewen Campbell                    Oban Celtic

Archie Millar                         Skye

Seonaidh-Alex MacLeod       Skye