It is always interesting to see how the Irish view the 2012 Marine Harvest Shinty / Hurling international series between Scotland and Ireland.

The following article was penned by John Harrington and appeared in the Irish Sun on Sunday 14 October 2012.

The article began ……..

Tommy Walsh might be a big name in Kilkenny – but they know all about him in Scotland too.

The Cats hero will be a marked man when he lines out for Ireland next Saturday at Inverness in the first of two Hurling-Shinty internationals.

But then again, the Scots have tried to stop him before to no avail. In the wee hours before the countries clashed in 2009, now-GAA President Liam O’Neill was locked in conversation with one of the Scottish team’s officials.

O’Neill asked if the Scots had any special tactics to counter Ireland, and was told, “We’re going to get Tommy Walsh!”

That revelation immediately brought a great guffaw of laughter from O’Neill who said, “The best of luck to you, everyone else has tried.”

It was not until the following day that the Scottish official got the joke.

O’Neill recalled this week, “The next day they didn’t get near Tommy. He hurled like a demon!”

The Scots are somehow going to have to tame Kilkenny’s demon again this year.

Walsh has been named in the squad for the first game in Inverness and the home leg in Ennis a week later.

Ireland’s squad is mainly made up of players from developing counties, but Walsh is the man every Scottish shinty fan will be looking out for.

O’Neill said, “When you go across to Scotland and meet people who watch hurling from a distance, you realise that Tommy Walsh is a huge name over there. The first name they look for and hope to see on the Irish team list is Tommy’s, so it’s a huge source of pride for us that someone of the calibre of Tommy Walsh would support this. Three years ago he came across as the then-Hurler of the Year and that was a huge boost for everyone involved with the Scotland team.”

Walsh did not need to be asked twice about representing his country again. He has won every honour in the game so has little to prove, but simply winning silver-ware clearly is not what makes Walsh tick.

Leinster boss Joe Dooley marvelled this year at the intensity Walsh hurled with during the inter-provincials, and even on All-Star tour, he is not the type to drop down a gear or two.

He will not be taking it easy on the Scots either, which is why Ireland joint manager Michael Walsh wanted him in the first place.

Walsh said, “He’s just a fantastic person as well as a hurler. I didn’t know whether I should be ringing him because he’s had a long, tough year and is playing with the club at the moment. I just asked him would he be interested and he was just absolutely mad to play in it. I was delighted with the response, but it was just typical of him really. He loves to play hurling. He’s won All-Ireland medals but just loves playing the game and would play it every day if he could. He’s just that kind of individual.”

Tommy Walsh will be joined by fellow “top-tier” hurlers Pa Horgan, Paudie Maher and Patrick “Bonner” Maher.

Joint-boss Walsh added, “We try to be fair to everyone and the players from the other counties have put in a massive effort. All the players have played before except “Bonner” Maher who has just come on board. He seems to be really up for it as well. These are the lads we want. Lads who will take it seriously. We’re not just here to enjoy ourselves – we will do that anyway!”

By John Harrington   

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.

Photograph courtesy of www.neilgpaterson.com