'It's A Great Sport': Forces Shinty Team's Quest To Find New Players

The combined services shinty team is making an appeal to attract more people to the sport.

Players travel to Scotland from all over the UK to play but their military commitments can see the side struggle for numbers at times.

The sport is fast - and can get quite furious.

Mostly played north of the border, it's a cross between field hockey, ice hockey and lacrosse, with 'SCOTS Camanachd' hoping to find more players to help them fulfil their fixtures.

Team member Warrant Officer Colin Irving told Forces Network:

"We're trying everything we can. We're putting it out there on our... Facebook page, word of mouth, TV... because it's a great sport."

SCOTS Camanachd's latest match saw them travel to Fife to take on Aberdour in the Bullough Cup.

Things got off to a good start for the visitors, with Colin Irving putting them 1-0 up just before half-time.

But a defensive mix-up shortly after the break allowed Chris Bowerman to level the scores.

Club Secretary WO2 Colin Irving told Forces Radio BFBS' Jim Gellatly about the origins of the combined services shinty​ ​​​​​​team... Just click below to listen:

The Armed Forces side continued pressing the hosts, however and Irving's determination was rewarded as he claimed his second of the match.

SCOTS then extended their lead even further, with Gregor Cameron's strike finding Aberbour's net.

Niall Watson then set up Cameron to claim in his second and complete a 4-1 win.

SCOTS Camanachd's  Highlander Gregor Cameron was happy with the performance, saying: "We dug in and played well and did what we're trained to do."

Aberdour's Brian Toal said: "We were hoping to get something out of it, at least get a wee bit further this year. But that's just the way it goes."

The win sees SCOTS into the next round of the cup, where they will face Kyles Athletic on June 16.

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