Ireland ready to defend camogie/shinty crown at Páirc Uí Chaoimh

International rules action returns to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh later this month when Ireland and Scotland renew their rivalry in a unique double-header on Saturday, October 24.

The women's camogie/shinty international throws in at 4pm, before the men's hurling/shinty clash gets underway at 6pm, bringing one of the most distinctive fixtures in the Gaelic games calendar back to Cork.

Ireland's women arrive as reigning champions after last year's victory in Inverness, but manager Ger Manley is expecting a much sterner examination from the Scots this time around.

"They will be a lot stronger this year, Manley said, “I was talking to their representative at the launch and they said they have a lot more players involved this year.

“Last year they struggled a bit because their season was over. This year their season has just finished so they have a stronger panel and a stronger team. It could be very interesting."

While trophies are on the line, Manley believes the occasion itself remains one of the competition's greatest attractions.

"You don't get an opportunity at all to represent your country in camogie. It's a huge opportunity. There's a big interest now, with 50 players up for trials, and we've players involved from the intermediate and junior ranks as well as senior."

The Irish panel is set to be confirmed in the coming days, with last year’s captain Saoirse McCarthy expected to return alongside players such as Laura Hayes.

The annual contest sees both sports combine under a specially-adapted set of rules. Teams line out with 14 players, arranged goalkeeper, two defenders, three half-backs, three midfielders, three half-forwards and two full-forwards.

Matches are played over 35 minute halves, with five rolling substitutes permitted.

While much of the game remains familiar to hurling and camogie followers, there are significant differences that create a fascinating spectacle.

"It's not as fast as camogie because you're not running with the ball as much," Manley explained. "You can't pick it up, so there are more rucks and more ground play. But the Scottish girls are very skilful at flicking the ball first time over players.

"It's about old-fashioned ground hurling really. Some of the traditionalists will love it. You'll see great first-touch skills and a lot of overhead striking. The ball moves very quickly, 40 or 50 yards at a time."

The scoring system mirrors camogie and hurling, with goals and points counting in the usual fashion, while line balls and puck-outs are also largely unchanged. One notable difference sees the ball thrown in at midfield after a goal rather than restarted from a puc-out.

Manley believes supporters attending Páirc Uí Chaoimh are in for a treat.

"The standard has improved. You can see players are more accustomed to the game and the skill level is improving all the time. I think it will be very interesting for people to watch."

For the Cork native, leading Ireland on home soil adds extra significance to an already special assignment.

"To get a chance to manage an Irish team in camogie or hurling is a great honour. And even better down at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

"The surface in the Páirc is top notch and the ball will be moving quickly. Some of the traditionalists will enjoy it because of the first-time striking and the ground hurling. It's brilliant for somebody to represent our country because this is the only chance many of these players will ever get to do that."

Scotland, meanwhile, travel determined to reverse last year's result. Shinty international Natalie McDonald admitted the visitors learned valuable lessons from Ireland's success in Inverness.

"The game last year was really exciting," she said. "It was my first time being involved in the international as a joint men's and women's event and it felt like such a privilege to be there.

"The first half was competitive, but Ireland showed their quality in the second half and we didn't match that. That's something we've reflected on a lot this year, and the coaching staff have reflected on in their team selection to make sure we're able to match the Irish girls all over the park."

McDonald believes the move to 14-a-side internationals actually benefits the spectacle.

"It makes it a little bit more exciting for us and gives you more options out there. It takes a bit of getting used to because there are more players and less space, but it helps the game flow and gives you more opportunities to make things happen."

The Scottish player is also eager to experience one of Ireland's premier sporting venues.

"The stadium is absolutely phenomenal. The players coming here will be astonished by the size of it. Hopefully a good crowd comes out and creates a great atmosphere for both the men's and women's games."

Ireland shinty hurling squad: Billy Nolan (Waterford), Mikey Butler (Kilkenny), Ian Shanahan (Laois), Sam O’Farrell (Tipperary), Meehaul McGrath (Derry), Ryan Mullaney (Laois), Darragh Neary (Galway), Fiachra C-Fennell (Laois), Diarmuid Stritch (Clare), Aaron Dunphy (Laois), Andrew Ormonde (Tipperary), Cian O’Sullivan (Dublin), Luca McCusker (Fermanagh), Séamus Harnedy (Cork), Pearse Óg McCrickard (Down), Gerard Walsh (Antrim), Joe Murray (Leitrim), Patrick Turner (Derry), Kyle O’Connor (Kerry), Damien Healey (Meath). Standby: Seán Kelly (Derry), Johnny Maher (Longford), Ciaran McNally (Longford), Ethan Flynn (Monaghan), Evan Tully (Longford), Pádraig Doyle (Wicklow), Emmet Walsh (Monaghan), Kevin Goulding (Kerry).

Ireland shinty camogie squad: Amy Lee (Cork), Aimie Nolan (Carlow), Anais Curran (Wexford), Aoife McDonald (Tyrone), Ashling Thompson (Cork), Ava Fitzgerald (Cork), Dearbhla Magee (Antrim), Emma Murphy (Cork), Gráinne McDonald (Tyrone), Isobel Sheehan (Cork), Laura Hayes (Cork), Maeve Clince (Meath), Naoise Hughes (Armagh), Rachael Walsh (Waterford), Rebecca Kelly (Carlow), Saoirse McCarthy (Cork), Shannagh Hegarty (Antrim), Sinéad Wylde (Dublin), Sophie O’Callaghan (Limerick).