The Ireland 2012 management teams have been working hard with their players ahead of the 2012 Shinty / Hurling / Camogie international series against Scotland.

This is the third year of the home and away format as the Irish senior squad look to win their third successive series.  

The Irish trials for this year's internationals were held in Ratoath GAA Club, Co Meath at on Saturday 29 September 2012.

The Irish are yet to announce their squads for the Senior, U21 and Camogie internationals.

Ireland Senior Squad Management Team

The Ireland senior squad this year will be managed by Kilkenny’s Michael Walsh and Wexford’s John Meyler. They take over from Joe Dooley from Offaly who was assisted last year by Carlow’s Kevin Ryan and Down’s Jim McKernan.

Michael Walsh and John Meyler managed the Ireland U21 side in 2011.

Michael Walsh played in goal for Kilkenny until he retired in 1996. During that time he won two All-Ireland winners’ medals, three Leinster winners’ medals, one National league winners’ medal and was given two All-Star Awards.

He was Carlow Senior Hurling manager between 2001 and 2004 and he’s the son of Ollie Walsh, who is regarded as one of the top hurling keepers of all time. 

John Meyler managed the Kerry Senior Hurling team between 1992 and 1997. He had a period as a Cork selector and later took over at Wexford between 2006 and 2008 before returning to Kerry from 2009 to 2012. He was this year appointed Carlow Senior Hurling manager. He reached an All-Ireland semi-final with Wexford in 2006.

He has also previously been involved in the international scene when he was an Ireland U21 selector for the 2010 international against Scotland.

As a player, he won an All-Ireland medal with Cork in 1986 when he was a substitute in the final against Galway. He retired from inter-county hurling a year later.

His son David Meyler is a professional footballer with Sunderland Football Club.   

The first test between Scotland and Ireland takes place at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 20 October 2012 with a 1.15pm throw-in. The second test is at Cusack Park, Ennis a week later with a 2.05pm throw-in.

 Ireland U21 Squad Management Team

There are new men at the helm for the Ireland U21 squad as Jeffrey Lynskey from Galway and Antrim’s Gregory O'Kane take charge for the first time. They replace Kilkenny’s Michael Walsh and John Meyler who now look after the Irish senior side.

Jeffrey Lynskey was appointed Hurling mentor for Mayo GAA as part of the National Hurling Development Plan and he reports directly to Croke Park. His role is to facilitate the growth of hurling in the counties. He is also a leading coach within the Galway Youth Hurling Academy system.

Gregory O'Kane was a selector at the Antrim Senior Hurling team and he played for them between 1991 and 2005 during which time he won eight Ulster winners’ medals.

The international between Ireland U21 and Scotland U21 takes place under the floodlights at St.Josephs Doora Barefield, Ennis on Friday 26 October 2012 with a 7pm throw-in.

County Clare Camogie Squad Management Team

The County Clare Shinty / Camogie selected will be managed by Catherine O'Loughlin from Inagh / Kilnamona. The selectors are Noel McInerney from Newmarket-on-Fergus and Eire Og’s Niall Malone. All Camogie players from County Clare will be eligible for selection.

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.

Photograph courtesy of www.neilgpaterson.com