Hurling, camogie and shinty skills will be on show in Cork

THE GAA, Camogie Association, Camanachd Association and Women’s Camanachd Association recently confirmed that this year’s Hurling-Shinty International will take place at Cork’s SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Following the highly successful collaboration between all associations, the men’s and women’s international fixtures will once again be staged together as part of a showcase of the Celtic world’s most distinctive sporting traditions.

The double-header will take place on Saturday, October 24. The women’s Camogie-Shinty International will begin at 4pm, before the men’s Hurling-Shinty International takes place at 6pm.

Over the coming weeks, selectors on both sides of the Irish Sea will face the difficult task of narrowing an exceptional pool of talent into four squads of 19 players. Those selected will have the honour of representing their respective sports and countries in one of the most unique international fixtures in world sport.

The contests bring together the shared skills, traditions and heritage of hurling, camogie and shinty, while giving leading players the opportunity to test themselves under the combined international rules format.

“Our shared history and our shared culture with our closest neighbours in Scotland is something that is worthy of celebration and nothing does that better than the games of hurling and shinty which share a common ancestor and are such an intrinsic part of who we are,” Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said. “To be able to do this while offering some of our finest players the chance to wear a national jersey and represent their country is very special. I know it is an honour highly valued by all of those fortunate to have the opportunity. I am delighted that our hurlers and camógs will get that chance in 2026 when the Hurling-Shinty and Camogie-Shinty internationals take place at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.”

Uachtarán an Chumainn Camógaíochta, Brian Molloy added: “I thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle in Inverness last year and it was a wonderful celebration of the shared traditions and skills of camogie and shinty. I am delighted that the series is returning to Ireland this year, and particularly that Cork will host what promises to be another fantastic occasion.

“I would like to thank the GAA and our Scottish colleagues for their cooperation in renewing this brilliant series. It is a powerful statement about the strength of female sport to see both games on an equal footing.

“There is something very special about pulling on the jersey of your country, and I look forward to seeing an Irish international camogie team represent Ireland on home soil in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh this October. I wish all players the very best of luck in their preparations ahead of what promises to be a memorable day for both camogie and shinty.”