Having managed the Ireland U21 team for the last three years, Ireland senior squad co-managers John Meyler and Michael Walsh know exactly what the Shinty / Hurling game is all about as they get set for the Marine Harvest International first test against Scotland at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 20 October 2012.
Meyer and Walsh have taken over from Joe Dooley who enjoyed success at the helm and they arrive in Inverness on Friday 19 October 2012.
John Meyler, whose son David Meyler is a premiership footballer with Sunderland, spoke to GAA.ie about what this game means to the Irish hurlers.
“It would make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, hearing the national anthem in Scotland,” said Meyler. “In rugby and soccer, guys can represent their country a hundred times. The only thing we have that is comparable is the All-Stars but that is not quite the same. So this is a wonderful opportunity for players, with national pride at stake. It’s super.”
Meyler and Walsh have named a squad of 18 hurlers and they followed a specific format when making their selection. First they choose four players from the elite counties competing in hurling’s premier competition, the Liam MacCarthy Cup. The players selected for this year’s series were Shane Dooley (Offaly), Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny), Patrick Maher (Tipperary) and Patrick Horgan (Cork). Cork’s Shane O’Neill was initially included but was forced to withdraw with a broken thumb. He was replaced by Maher.
The remaining 14 players come from the counties involved in the Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher Cup competitions. Each county was initially asked to nominate five players and Meyler and Walsh made their selection following the trial in Athy.
Meyler is clear in what he looks for when selecting the Irish panel. “You look for commitment,” he says. “It’s easy to nominate guys who aren’t involved in county finals and don’t have work commitments. The squad have to be able to turn up on the two days. It’s difficult in the preparation, but the guys who are committed and enthusiastic and want to be there, will be there. That’s what we have found over the years.”
Meyler and Walsh have held two training sessions and they are in constant contact with each member of the squad. They were particularly impressed with the response from the players, especially the elite players. “Patrick Horgan turned up for a trial on the first day,” said Meyler. They all wanted to be involved. It’s a great honour to represent your country and that’s what these guys see. I suppose the only chance that they usually get is to play for the All-Stars on an away trip. I think this is a fantastic honour for these guys and you can see by the way they turn up. When you ring guys up the following year and ask them to come back for a trial you can see that they really, really enjoyed it. They really want to be there.”
Meyler and Walsh were delighted to step up from the U21s to the senior squad. “Without hesitation the two of us agreed to come on board,” adds Meyler. “The two of us get on well together and work well together. We have the same philosophy and it is a fantastic honour for us to manage our own country. Like the players, it’s the only chance we get to be involved in international competition.”
Part of the Irish preparation involves making players aware of the cross-code rules and Meyler knows that his players will have to curb their natural instinct to handle or kick the ball whilst while a score from a placed ball is worth two points and a goal is worth five points. “I made out a page of tips for the players and asked them to read it and familiarise themselves with it,” says Meyler. “You have to emphasise to the players not to give away frees or side-line balls inside 60 or 70 yards because the Scots will get two points for that. You keep emphasising two or three key points and keep after them. The skilful hurlers will have no problem adapting.”
2012 Shinty / Hurling / Camogie Programme
Saturday 20 October 2012 - Scotland v Ireland
The first Shinty / Hurling test between the Scotland and Ireland senior teams takes place at the Bught Park, Inverness at Saturday 20 October 2012. Throw-in is at 1.15pm. Admission is £10 for Adults, £5 for concessions and under 12s go free. Bring your Camanachd Association membership card and get a 20% discount!
Friday 26 October 2012 - Ireland U21 v Scotland U21
The Ireland U21 and Scotland U21 sides meet under the floodlights at St. Josephs Doora Barefield, Ennis on Friday 26 October 2012 with a 7pm throw-in. Admission is free.
Saturday 27 October – Clare v Scotland
The Scotland Womens squad meet a Clare Camogie select at the Father McNamara Camogie Field, County Clare on Saturday 27 October. Throw-in is at 11am and admission is free.
Saturday 27 October 2012 – Ireland v Scotland
The second Shinty / Hurling test between the Ireland and Scotland senior teams takes place at Cusack Park, Ennis on Saturday 27 October 2012 with a 2.05pm start. Admission is free.