Ireland players Peter Duggan, left, and David Fitzgerald in attendance at the Hurling Shinty International 2023 launch at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
By John Harrington
The Irish players have had to re-learn old tricks ahead of Saturday’s Hurling-Shinty international against Scotland at Pairc Esler in Newry.
The modern game of hurling has increasingly become a possession-based sport where the priority is for players to get the ball into their hand as quickly as possible which is why we now see such little ground-hurling.
But in the compromise rules of Hurling-Shinty the only player on the field allowed to catch the ball is the goalkeeper, so Ireland’s outfield players will have little option but to play first-time hurling in most situations.
At Ireland’s training sessions ahead of the clash with Scotland team coach Terence ‘Sambo’ McNaughton has gotten the players to brush up their long unused ground-hurling skills.
Vice-captain David Fitzgerald admits that goes against their instinct because in the modern game players know if they pull on the sliotar they’re likely to get an earful from the manager.
“Nine times out of ten, if you blindly pull on a ball, it's realistically going to an opposition player and he's going to put it back over the bar,” says Fitzgerald
“Sambo did a drill with us last week, all ground hurling. I think lads were saying that they haven't pulled on the ground since U10! It takes some getting used to. Catching the ball, get that out of your head, control everything on the stick and move it.
“As a young lad, you're coached to get your head up, see the pitch around you, see the pass. With this, you're focused on controlling the ball, so your head's kind of down more. It's something you have to get used to.”
Clare hurler David Fitzgerald with his PwC All-Star award at the PwC All-Stars Awards 2022 at the Convention Centre in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile.
Fitzgerald’s selection on the Irish panel and status as vice-captain is reflective of the level he’s brought his game to.
A member of the Clare panel since 2016, he’s played the best hurling of his career in the past two years as he’s transitioned from a defensive to attacking role that has seen him score heavily from play.
“Different players develop at different times,” says Fitzgerald. “You gain experience. Obviously I had a tough few years, lost a bit of form. I got that back again and enjoyed the last few seasons.
“I've been pushed further forward. I was previously a wing-back and I'm into the half-forward line or midfield now.
“Traditionally, in the club, I was always a forward growing up. When I came to senior level, I think we had a shortage of backs, a few injuries, so I was throw in for a few years at wing-back.”
Last year Fitzgerald became the first ever player from Inagh/Kilnamona to win a PwC All-Star and he’s been nominated again this year, but what he really wants is to get his hands on some championship silverware after a season that saw Clare fall agonisingly short against Limerick in a Munster Final for the second year in a row.
“The All-Star was a big honour but it's nearly more of a day out for your parents and family - they cherish it,” he says.
“It's nice but your whole goal as a player is to win titles. We lost the Munster final, lost an All-Ireland semi. You'd trade your All-Star any day of the week to win Liam MacCarthy or a Munster Championship.”
Saturday, October 21
Hurling-Shinty International
Ireland v Scotland, Páirc Esler, Newry, 2.45pm. (TG4 YouTube channel)
