ONE of Scotland's main contributors to the Marine Harvest Shinty/Hurling Internationals will come out of cold storage this afternoon at Bught Park in Inverness, eager to prove that rumours of his demise have been greatly exaggerated.
For two years, professional musician Gary Innes has attended the internationals as a BBC pundit and, indeed, he had been earmarked by the broadcaster for a similar role today until the new Scotland manager, Ronald Ross, took him from the media gantry and lined him up for a return to the turf.
Critics may have raised eyebrows on seeing the 33-year-old's name in Ross' squad for the two matches, because Innes had been out of the reckoning since 2011. But on closer inspection, Ross' conviction in bringing him back may turn out to be masterful.
True, because of his touring commitments with the Gaelic pop band Mànran, in which he plays the accordion, Innes has played less shinty in the last two years than at any other time since he first picked up a caman. However, his outings for Fort William, though rare, have often been telling. What's more, he remains one of Scotland's best hitters from the ground and one of the nation's highest points scorers in this unique clash of stick sports.
Having been restored to the side, he wants to prove he can still excel at elite level. "For the past two years, it has been impossible for me to commit and make all the training sessions," said Innes. "However, the manager has changed things this year. He told me he wanted me to be involved again and I am feeling really positive about it.
"I never took it for granted - playing for Scotland - but I notice that I have that nervousness back again, which is exciting. In shinty, you are only as good as your last game and, because I have not played so many big games in the last two years, I do feel I have something to prove to myself, to the manager and to my team-mates. I want to show them I still have it; that drives me to do well."
Innes captained the Scots the last time they savoured a victory over the Irish, back in 2010 at Croke Park. That single-point victory stunned the 50,000 Irish fans in the home of hurling, but Innes remembers it for more than just the result.
"I broke my nose after only seven minutes, but I played on after treatment, he said. "I had to have it operated on eventually, but that was a great victory.
"Since the contest became a two-leg series, the Irish have tended to do better, but we have a new manager this year, different values and ideas, and I think we stand as good a chance as we have in recent times."
Ross has not been afraid to ring the changes and allies some nimble, athletic youngsters with knowledgeable veterans.
Deciding whether or not to bring back Innes did not vex him. "I know exactly what Gary can do as a player. He's scored a lot of points in shinty/hurling and his experience will be important as we have a young squad. I also wanted players with points to prove.
"I know I felt I had a point to prove in the Camanachd Cup final and Gary will want to show people he can still do it at this level."
Michael Walshe's hurlers include nine squad debutants. They will be looking to take a win back to Newry next weekend.
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