Michael Kavanagh looking forward to Scotland challenge:
By Cian O’Connell
Michael Kavanagh’s passion for the Hurling Shinty international series endures. Previously involved as a player, Kavanagh was a selector last year, and is now joint manager alongside Terence ‘Sambo’ McNaughton.
So, the decorated former Kilkenny star is delighted to be preparing for next month’s clash with Scotland in Cusack Park, Ennis. “After the break with Covid, it is great to have the shinty and hurling exhibition back on the hurling calendar,” Kavanagh says.
“We’re very much looking forward to Ennis in October, and for Ireland to be defending the title. We beat Scotland on home soil in Newry, so we’re looking forward to it, the series went very well last year. We’re delighted it is going ahead, that it is continuing its existence and the long standing tradition with the Scots in relation to the game.”
McNaughton and the highly regarded Kieran Kingston are involved in the Irish managerial set-up. “We were all pretty new to it last year, we played the game, I remember travelling over to Inverness years ago for a game with Ireland,” Kavanagh says.
“Last year was a learning curve for us, hopefully we’ll have a bit of continuity as regards the set-up and backroom team, too.
“Hopefully we’ll have a number of players available to us again, we’ll find out in the coming weeks due to availability with club games, injuries, and travel. We’ll be putting our squad together, we are very much looking forward to it.
“As an event, it is long standing in the calendar, we’re looking forward to the challenge because Scotland will be coming back trying to settle a score from last year, too.”
The Irish panel will feature players from different tiers which is important according to Kavanagh. “In hurling you don’t get a chance to represent Ireland too often, so this gives you that chance to put on a green jersey,” Kavanagh says.
“It is a unique occasion, hurlers from all levels can mix and show their skill. To mix among the levels is good, obviously we’ll have a couple of Liam MacCarthy players, but also the bulk of the panel will come from the Joe McDonagh, Christy Ring, Nickey Rackard, and Lory Meagher sections, too.
“It’ll be a good spread with a good panel, a good mix from last year hopefully will be available. We’ll be trialling over the next couple of weeks, putting our panel together. Hopefully we can defend our title in the home of the All-Ireland champions, Clare.”
The planning and preparation has commenced for the Ennis encounter. “Having been involved last year, we did an initial trial process with it for the selection of players,” he says.
“Again, we’ll do something similar. We’ll have a number of sessions between now and the end of October. In the next couple of weeks we’ll be looking at players and seeing player availability because players have club commitments, some are finished, but some are very much in the middle of it. We’ll be looking at all of the that, seeing who is available, and we’ll be putting our panel together in the next couple of weeks.
“Obviously, lads will need to prepare and be ready for the challenge ahead. Last year we put in a very strong performance, and I’m sure the Scots will be coming over to seek revenge. We’re hoping to build on what has already been done last year.”
Speed and skill matter deeply in the game and Kavanagh is eager to ensure Ireland’s players are ready. “It is quite unique being a hybrid game, a mixture of the hurling and shinty, showcasing the best of both sports,” Kavanagh says.
“It is a game you need to be prepared for and practice at it because it is very fast paced and hard hitting. We’ll be working on getting our lads ready for what is involved and what is coming down the tracks.
“Scotland will be coming over after being disappointed last year. It has been very tight over the last number of years between Scotland and Ireland. It is great to have the game coming up, we’re all looking forward to Ennis at the end of October.”