The Scottish translation for shinty is ‘camanachd’ – it doesn’t take massive levels of linguistic knowledge to draw a parallel with ‘camán’.

While there are more than a few differences between the sports of shinty and hurling or camogie, it makes sense for there to be a link between the respective indigenous codes and on Saturday, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh will be the venue as Ireland and Scotland meet once again.

The first such encounter took place in the late1890s; attempts at regular international fixtures were made in the 1970s and again in the 1990s, with mixed levels of success.

However, since 2003 – apart from 2020-22, due to the impact of the Covid pandemic – the games have taken place every year.

At a time when the merging of the Gaelic games bodies is more of a hot topic than you would think it needed to be, these internationals are an example of the pragmatic treatment of integration: the women’s match takes place at 4pm on Saturday, followed by the men’s at 6pm. Seems simple, doesn’t it?

In charge of the Ireland men’s team is former Tipperary manager and coach Eamon O’Shea and he feels that the international aspect is a major boon of the composite sport.

“It’s a great thing for these players,” he says.

“I think it’s a big honour to put on the green jersey but, when you put it on, you want to perform.

“You try to play as best you can and, even though we only have a short time to prepare, you try to play as a collective – these games are not individuals.

“We’re trying to be the best we can be for these players, because it’s a really big day for them, to show what they can do and to show the skills of the game.”

The scoring is the same as in the Irish sports but, as the Scottish play, only the goalkeeper can handle the ball. Swiftness of movement is key, according to O’Shea.

“A couple of things struck me,” he says, “and it is the speed at which the ball moves.

“It’s a different game than hurling – our game is more about possession and the shinty game is little bit of a throwback.

“The ball is slightly lighter as well, so that means it moves quicker. Skill levels have to be really high, because you can’t catch the ball so you have to move it on. You don’t get much time to do it, so you have to be quick!

“Watching it over the years, what really struck me has been the pace and intensity of the game.”

Seven of the Ireland squad is chosen from Liam MacCarthy Cup teams, with the rest having been selected based on a couple of trial games. Galway’s Darragh Neary is among those who will be lining out.

“It’s a big honour,” he says.

“As a young lad growing up playing hurling, you don’t think you’re going to get the opportunity to do it but everyone loves to represent their country.

“It’s a dream, really. We’re looking forward to it and it will be a new experience. You’re playing with lads you haven’t played with before. It will be nice to meet them and to play with them on the pitch too.”

The Ireland women’s team is led by Ger Manley for the second year in a row. Having helped Cork to reclaim the All-Ireland camogie title in August, he is proud to be patrolling the sideline on home soil.

“To get a chance to manage an Irish team in camogie or hurling is a great honour,” he says, “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 their country because this is the only chance many of these players will ever get to do that.”

Scottish brethren

The collegiality with the Scottish brethren runs in contrast to the limbo regarding international rules football, with no Ireland-Australia series having taken place since 2017. A primary factor for the cooled relations between the GAA and the AFL surrounds the growing numbers of Irish players being recruited to play Australian rules football.

Speaking last month ahead of a meeting between the two bodies, GAA president Jarlath Burns suggested that one possible change was that Irish players would have to be regarded as Category A rookies rather than Category B, which would necessitate a more selective approach.

That the talks were soon followed by the news of Donegal defender Finbarr Roarty signing a contract with Collingwood would suggest that there is still a way to go before a rapprochement is reached.