Ireland boss Michael Walshe gave his thoughts on the Shinty / Hurling compromise rules ahead of the first test against Ireland at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 18 October 2014.
Speaking to Arthur Sullivan from the GAA website, Walshe said he believed that whilst subtle rule changes which prevent the Irish players kicking or catching the ball take a bit of getting used to, some could consider the Scots to be disadvantaged because of the size of the sticks. He said "The two really big differences (for us) are that you can't handle the ball and you can't kick the ball, which is significant. It’s amazing when you watch a game of hurling - when a player drops a ball and it lands on the ground, his first instinct is often to just kick it on. You can't do that in shinty. The players get used to the other side much quicker - not being able to handle the ball - but not being able to kick it can be a problem for those who haven't played the game before."
One of the most noticeable differences between the two teams from a spectator’s point of view is that each side plays with different sticks. The Irish play with flatter hurls whilst the Scots use camans which are much narrower. "There's an argument that the Scots are at a disadvantage because of the sticks,” said Walsh, “but in other areas, they make up for that. They are more adept at hitting balls off the ground and over the bar from long distances and those scores are worth two points. Their sticks are maybe a disadvantage to them but they are used to them and they wouldn't have it any other way. The ball is smaller (more or less equivalent to a size 4 sliotar, as opposed to a size 5) as well so that suits them."
Series Details
The 2014 Marine Harvest Shinty / Hurling International First Test will take place at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 18 October 2014. The throw-in is at 2pm and tickets are available at the ground on the day or in advance at Eden Court Theatre - £10 adults, £5 concessions and U12s go free if accompanied by a paying adult. Discounts are available to Camanachd Association members. Anyone who is unable attend the game can watch the action live by tuning into BBC2 Scotland and TG4 in Ireland.
The Second Test takes place a week later at Pairc Esler, Newry, Northern Ireland, on Saturday 25 October 2014. Throw-in is at 5pm and the Second Test will be broadcast by TG4 in Ireland and BBC Alba in Scotland.
Scotland U21 and Ireland U21 also meet in their Shinty / Hurling international at Newry on Saturday 25 October 2014. Throw-in is at 3pm.
Scotland’s Senior Women face a Shinty / Camogie clash with a County Down select at Newry on Saturday 25 October 2014. Throw-in is at 1pm.
(Picture courtesy of Neil G Paterson)