It’s going to be a busy fortnight for Neil McManus.
First, he has the Antrim SHC final this Sunday, where he’s hoping to lead Ruairí Óg Cushendall to their first Volunteer Cup since 2018. It’s a more novel affair the following Saturday, but no less exciting as he captains the Irish shinty team against Scotland.
McManus is no stranger to the Composite-Rules-Shinty-Hurling game, having captained Ireland once before, and he’s looking forward to the occasion next Saturday week, in Newry.
The 35-year-old will be joined on the Ireland team by high profile hurlers such as Clare duo Peter Duggan and David Fitzgerald, as well as Kilkenny star Padraig Walsh. Cork defender Rob Downey is also a part of Portumna man Damien Coleman’s panel, as is Galway’s Tom Monaghan and Carlow’s Chris Nolan.
It’s the first game of its kind since 2019, and McManus is eyeing a competitive renewal against the Scots.
“It’s a little bit different from hurling,” he laughs.
“I was describing it earlier as hurling a la 1970, so it’s a little bit like that where you can let the stick go a little bit!”
The game will be broadcast live on TG4 and McManus says viewers can look forward to some fast switches of play, which will act as something of a change from the more possession-dominated game hurling has become.
“Because they can’t take the ball in their hand (in shinty), outside of the goalkeepers in this game, it is a little bit different.
“But if you notice, the Scots are incredibly adept at switching the play from flank to flank. Almost in a soccer style.
“The person who is playing on the opposite wing has read that already and they are in behind you almost like in soccer, as a forward trying to get in behind the back four.”
“The transition of the ball is really quick because we can’t take the ball in our hand.”
McManus could see these fast switches becoming more and more prevalent in hurling in years to come.
“The way that hurling is played, it is cyclical. And that will become a part of hurling in the next number of years when the possession game comes to an end.”
For that very reason, new puck-out rules are being trialled in freshers hurling this winter, where puck-outs must go past the 45 yard line. McManus sees this as a positive change.
“It will make the game a little bit more attacking, a little bit more positive,” he says.
“Which I think is a really good thing. I think teams were very happy to play a sweeper playing as a fourth full back, coming into the 20 yard line to take puck-outs, so you could essentially have possession from every puck-out. That will be harder to do now, and I think that’s positive for hurling.
“I want to see man v man battles. I want to see Peter Duggan going against Huw Lawlor and see who wins that battle. That’s what I’m interested in
“I want to see that kind of stuff as well as the system-based style of play.
“I think we have lost that a little bit, it’s never a man V man battle because the other team always has somebody lying back to support their full-back. Hopefully we can see a little more toe to toe action,” he adds.
From a shinty perspective, McManus says hurlers are enjoying the challenge the game presents.
“I think there’s been five weekend sessions in preparation for the international game. People are aware that not everybody was asked to do it. So it’s nice to get the opportunity to be involved.
“Players enjoy a challenge and the rule change is a bit of a challenge because you can’t do some of the things that might come naturally to you. So it’s interesting and great to get to play alongside players who you mightn’t get to play alongside or even meet in any other walk of life.”
“You have to remember that all levels of hurling are represented, which is great.
“It is actually the second time I have had the chance to captain the ship which is great because we don’t have any other vehicle as hurlers to play for Ireland and to represent our nation so it is a really nice honour to have.”
Watch The GAA Hour with Neil McManus from earlier in the year here.
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