Hockey: Seven receive Scots call-up

Jun 25 2009 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

SEVEN Kelburne players were last night selected to represent Scotland at this year’s Celtic Cup competition, which starts tomorrow in Edinburgh.

’Burne first team coach Derek Forsyth is also assistant coach to the national team, while fellow Paisley stalwart Alan Bryce is the manager.

The magnificent seven are Kenny Bain, 18, Gareth Hall, 26, Willie Marshall, 23, Chris Nelson, 24, Iain Scholefield, 22, Ross Stott, 22, and Mark Ralph, 29.

There are also two Porcelanosa Kelburne Ladies in the Scottish team for their Celtic Cup campaign that is also being staged at the same venue of Peffermill this weekend.

The Paisley duo are Emily Maguire, 21, and 24-year-old Laura Wrightson

A spokesman for Kelburne HC said: “On behalf of Kelburne we would like to wish all those representing Scotland this weekend all the best.”

Scotland’s senior women will be looking to get their hat-trick event title in front of a home crowd after winning the event two years running.

The men, meanwhile, want to move up and grab silverware after finishing second last year behind eventual winners Ireland.

Scottish Hockey’s Performance Manager Callum McLeod explained: “Scotland will field some of the world’s most exciting players.

“Great Britain Player of the Year Ali McGregor of Loughborough Students will be in the net, alongside his Olympic team-mate Stephen Dick from Inverleith. Olympian Laura Bartlett from Milne Craig Western will take the pitch for the ladies.

“Youth Olympic players such as Gavin Byers of Menzieshill and Azzurri Kelburne players Ross Stott, Gordon McIntyre and Kenny Bain are also likely to make an appearance.”

The event is an important build-up session for all the teams who play in their respective European Championship or Trophy event later this summer, with the exception of Ireland A.

As Ireland’s senior women are competing in FIH’s Champions Challenge II in Russia this week, an Under-21 squad, listed as Ireland A, will be present at the Celtic Cup.