Darragh Neary delighted to represent Ireland
Ireland Hurling/Shinty player Darragh Neary of Galway stands for a portrait during the 2026 Hurling/Shinty and Camogie/Shinty launch at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile.
By Cian O'Connell
Darragh Neary was delighted to accept an Irish call up for this month's Hurling-Shinty international against Scotland at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Following a hugely impressive campaign with Galway, the Castlegar attacker is relishing the opportunity to represent Ireland down by the banks of the Lee. "It's a big honour," Neary says.
"Probably, 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."
The fact that hurlers from the Liam MacCarthy, Joe McDonagh, Christy Ring, Nickey Rackard, and Lory Meagher Cups combine is significant according to Neary. "That's something, you're playing with lads you haven't played with before or anything like that," Neary responds.
"Even in colleges and stuff, you're not playing with a lot of them. It will be nice to meet them, to see what they're like, and to play with them on the pitch, too."
Galway's Darragh Neary in action against Limerick in the 2026 All-Ireland SHC Final at Croke Park. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
Galway were eventually soundly beaten by Limerick in the All-Ireland SHC Final, but it still was an encouraging 2026 for Micheál Donoghue's emerging team. "You'd some great days there, the ones that stand out are the Leinster final and the semi-final, it was brilliant," Neary remarks.
"We came up against a formidable side in the final, and those things happen. Looking back, overall, it was a step in the right direction for the year."
The Leinster SHC Final triumph was vital for Galway. "It was big, to be honest," Neary reflects.
"It was what we set out at the start of the year to achieve. It was a big monkey off the back really. I know we probably hadn't won at Croke Park for a few years before that. So, it was good for us.
"I know you'd a few younger lads coming into the panel, and the older lads, it was a big win. It probably gave us that momentum for the semi-final against Cork. It was brilliant."
Tickets for the Hurling/Shinty and Camogie/Shinty Internationals are now available to buy here.
