Ireland boss Michael Walshe has singled out Tipperary’s Patrick “Bonner” Maher as a key player for his side ahead of the Marine Harvest Shinty / Hurling series between Scotland and Ireland which starts at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 18 October 2014.
The influential Maher, one of hurling’s “elite” players, has really taken to the cross-codes format since he got involved two years ago.
Speaking to Arthur Sullivan from the GAA website, Walshe said, "In fairness to Bonner, he has been a major player for us over the last few years. He has adapted very well to the sport. A strength he has, which is very hard to counter in shinty, is that he carries the ball very well. He has adapted his game very well in getting flicks on the ball in the air when he can't catch it, and he is a major player for us in the way he carries the ball. For a fella that is not necessarily renowned for it, he is tremendously skilful and he is a big player for us." Patrick Maher’s credentials speak for themselves. He has one All-Ireland and two Munster titles to his name and the 25 year old is once again a GAA PGA All-Star nominee.
Walshe knows his charges will have to be at their best to secure a fifth successive series victory. "Scotland have a number of excellent players around the field," he said. "They are very sharp. In the last couple of years, they have tended to miss chances at vital times in the games but if they stick some of them away, that will put us in big trouble. We can't afford to give away sidelines or anything like that because they generally will punish you with those and get the two-pointers."
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)