Recently announced as The Irish News' All-Stars Ulster Hurler of the Year, Neil McManus goes from strength to strength even in retirement.
The Antrim legend will be a key member of the Ireland playing squad that aims to defeat Scotland in the hurling/shinty international in Páirc Esler, Newry tomorrow (throw-in at 14:45).
McManus will be in the company of fellow Saffron Terence 'Sambo' McNaughton, who is part of Galway man Damien Coleman's backroom team. Former Cork manager Kieran Kingston will also add his expertise.
Clare's David Fizgerald and Peter Duggan are among the standout names, as well as Kilkenny's Pádraig Walsh.
There are two other Ulster faces in the Ireland squad in the shape of Fermanagh's Luca McCusker and Monaghan's Niall Arthur, who recently added the Farney SHC title to the 2023 Lory Meagher success with his county.
GAA President Larry McCarthy helped launch the event at Croke Park, where he said:
"This match is an opportunity to celebrate our ties and the cultural links between our proud peoples – chief among which are the games of hurling and shinty which share a common ancestor.
“Next year, the Gaelic Athletic Association will be 140 years old but, that is a mere trifle in the life span of hurling, which later this decade will mark 3,300 years in our consciousness.”
His counterpart, Steven MacKenzie, President of the Scottish Camanachd Association, added:
"Shinty looks on with admiration to our Celtic cousins and has much to learn from the professionalism and dedication of our hurling counterparts.
"While we have a long road to travel, we have aspirations that our sport be valued and supported as deeply as Gaelic games are in Ireland.
“On behalf of the Camanachd Association, I would like to thank our friends at the Gaelic Athletic Association for hosting us and restarting the series after the hiatus caused by COVID 19."
