THE annual International Rules series between the hurlers of Ireland and the shinty players of Scotland takes place this weekend against the imposing backdrop of the All-Ireland football final replay. The international series has, as a result, had to be brought forward to Saturday.
This year's programme includes an under-12 representative match between Clare and Lochaber from Scotland, as well as the regular under-21 and senior fixtures. The main double-bill has been staged since 1993, with the under-21 series stretching back to 1988.
In the past, senior matches had been sporadically held back as far as 1897 when Michael Cusack, founder of the GAA, refereed Scotland's 2-0 win in Dublin.
Rules have fluctuated, and this year points are being re-introduced for the first time in 20 years. Both teams play with their respective sticks, and handling and kicking the ball are not allowed. The shinty stick more resembles a hockey stick with a big triangular has than it does a burley, and the Scottish game is played mainly on the ground.
This year, frees taken in the conventional hurling style and hit over the bar will score one point, but if taken off the ground, will be worth two points and will require the introduction of a third flag to complement the white and green ones familiar to hurling followers.
Since the series was established in its current form three years ago, Scotland have held the whip hand at senior level, winning two and drawing one of the matches.
At under-21 level, however, Ireland hold an identical advantage having drawn last year's match and won the previous two.
There are parallels between International Rules and its football equivalent, except that whereas Irish interest in the football outstrips that of the Australians, the Scots appear more enthusiastic about the stick game. They organise and plan their preparations in more detail than the Irish officials can, given the difficulty of assembling a panel of players at a time of the year when county championships are in full swing.
Again, like the football, there are players who are actually better at the international version than they are at the domestic. The broad range of hurling skills are slightly restricted, and players who rely on taking the ball to hand naturally struggle with the International Rules.
Ireland's senior selection is a blend of talented stickmen and physical presence - as evidenced by the formidable centre line of Mike Houlihan, Michael Coleman and Ollie Baker. Teams comprise 14 players.
Among the well-known senior hurlers who have graduated from the under-21 series over the past 10 years are Brian Corcoran, Nigel Shaughnessy - both playing for the seniors on Saturday - Conor O'Donovan and Kevin Broderick (Galway), Frank Lohan (Clare) and Wexford goalkeeper Damien Fitzhenry who played outfield for last year's under-21s.
Former Wexford coach Michael O'Grady, who is currently involved with the Dublin hurlers, manages the senior team again. Pat Hartigan, PJ Qualter and Clare manager Ger Loughnane are the other selectors.
Jim Ryan, chairman of the UCD hurling club, is manager of the under-21s for the third year and his selectors are Noel Kelly, a former chairman of the Comhairle Ard Oideachais, Eugene McKenna of Waterford RTC and Ken Hogan, the former Tipperary All-Ireland goalkeeper and outgoing selector.
