The Mowi shinty / hurling international between Scotland and Ireland makes a welcome return for the first time since 2019 with this year’s composite rules clash confirmed for Páirc Esler, Newry on Saturday 21 October 2023.

After an unavoidable hiatus due to COVID-19, the forthcoming match takes place at 3pm, immediately preceding the Down Intermediate Hurling final at 5pm.

Scotland Manager Garry Reid has begun the task of consulting a number of managers before putting together his final 18-player squad which will be formally announced on Monday 25 September 2023. There is a training session planned thereafter at Spean Bridge.

Garry Reid, who has won both his previous internationals, will confirm his backroom staff in the coming weeks. There was no doubting his delight at having the fixture back on the shinty schedule. He said: “It’s just great to see the return of the international and hopefully this will kick-start a full return of the series in the coming years.

“As always, it is an honour to be asked to manage the Scottish side, and I look forward to the challenge that lies ahead. Of course, the added challenge this year will be the timescales involved in pulling a squad together, and whereby in the past we would have selected a larger pool of players and then whittled the numbers down to the final squad, the time restraints this year mean we will look to go straight to naming a final squad.” 

Camanachd Association President Steven MacKenzie said: "We are thrilled to bring back the Mowi shinty / hurling international match and we can't wait to witness the exciting rivalry between Scotland and Ireland once again. This event showcases the great level of talent in both sports and celebrates the rich cultural ties that unite our nations. We look forward to unveiling the squad and sharing further details about the game in the coming weeks.”

GAA President Larry McCarthy said: “On behalf of the Gaelic Athletic Association, I welcome the resumption of our collaboration with our friends, and neighbours and sporting cousins in Alba agus An Cumann Camanachad to stage the Ireland-Scotland Hurling-Shinty international.

“This match is an opportunity to celebrate our ties and the cultural links between our proud peoples – chief among which are the games of hurling and shinty which share a common ancestor.”

“Next year the Gaelic Athletic Association will be 140 years old, but that is a mere trifle in the life span of hurling, which later this decade will mark 3,300 years in our consciousness.

“Rules have changed dramatically in the last 140 years never mind 3,000. But what the games of hurling and shinty continue to champion are extraordinary levels of skill and feats of stamina and strength that people marvel at.

“Nothing celebrates Gaelic Games more than the playing of games and that is why this link between the GAA and the Camanachd Association is so important.”

Steven MacKenzie, president of the Camanachd Association, said they were “thrilled” to bring back an event which “showcases the great level of talent in both sports and celebrates the rich cultural ties that unite our nations. We look forward to announcing the squad and further details in the near future.”

Camanachd Association CEO Derek Keir added: “The Camanachd Association remains committed to promoting and developing shinty, and this international match stands as a testament to the association's dedication to fostering camaraderie and excellence within the sport.”

The under-21 international between Scotland and Ireland will not take place this year and it remains to be seen whether it will return in 2024.

(Picture courtesy of www.neilgpaterson.com)