Irish hurlers warned they under-estimate Kingussie's Ruaridh Anderson at their peril
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Kingussie manager Iain Borthwick believes Ireland will be making a ‘huge mistake’ if they dismiss debutant Ruaridh Anderson in Saturday’s shinty / hurling international as the sides contest the Mowi Quaich at Páirc Esler, Newry on Saturday.
Anderson attended the official launch of the cross-codes fixture at Croke Park last week and was pictured dwarfed by Clare hurlers Peter Duggan and David Fitzgerald.
Borthwick said: “Ruaridh might not be the tallest but if Ireland underestimate him, they are in for a big shock.
“His movement is outstanding, and they will find it very difficult to pin him down. It’s simple, ignore Ruaridh at your peril as he will rip Ireland apart, given the chance.
“We are also pleased to have Robert Mabon and James Falconer involved although I must say I’m surprised Zander Michie wasn’t selected too.
“Robert will match any Irish player physically and he has been a player of the year candidate for us this season.
“He is a leader, a good talker and has a tremendous reach which will be useful for taking the ball out of the air.
“James has that ability to get goals from anywhere across the forward line and he’ll get right underneath the hurlers. He doesn’t feel any pain and showed with his four goals on Saturday that he is recovered from injury and raring to go.”
Scotland manager Garry Reid and his squad are going through their final preparations and there are two specific rule changes that the Scots will have to contend with – both which appear to favour the Irish.
Reid explained: “The rule changes will make it more difficult than ever before for us. The two points for a dead ball over the bar is now only one point and that is something we have benefited from
through the past, especially with Kevin Bartlett in our side.
“Also, their goalie can now catch the ball. A regular tactic of ours would be to float the ball into the goalmouth to see how they deal with it, and we got a couple of goals from that last time around, but we can’t do that any more as the keeper will just catch it and clear.
“I always believe the first half-hour is crucial in these games as Ireland settle into the contest.
“We are back to the venue when Ireland last won at home in 2014 but there is no doubt our guys will be up for it.”
Throw in is at 2.45pm and Scotland supporters unable to make the trip will still be able to watch the international as it will be shown live on the official TG4 YouTube channel
