Scotland’s finest shinty players are preparing to cross the Irish Sea later this month as the men’s and women’s national teams renew their sporting rivalry with Ireland in Cork.

The 2026 Shinty Hurling and Camogie Internationals will take place at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday 24 October, bringing together four national teams for an afternoon of international competition.

The matches follow last year’s internationals in Inverness, where the two countries demonstrated once again why this unusual meeting of sporting traditions continues to hold such a special place in the calendar.

Scotland’s men’s team will be managed by Alan Macrae, while Ross Brown will lead the women’s side, with both managers overseeing preparations and the selection of their respective squads.

Each of the four teams will feature 19 players, with the matches played under combined rules that bring together elements of Scottish shinty and Irish hurling or camogie.

The women’s international will get proceedings under way at 4pm, followed by the men’s encounter at 6pm.

For those selected, the opportunity represents one of the greatest honours available in shinty, taking a sport rooted in Highland communities onto an international stage.

Camanachd Association Vice President Willie MacDonald, who represented Scotland during his own playing career, understands the significance of the occasion.

He said:

“There is no greater honour than being asked to represent your country.”

MacDonald described the Cork stadium as an exceptional venue and thanked the GAA, Cork County Board and sponsors Mowi for their continued support.

The women’s fixture carries particular significance following last year’s closely contested meeting in Inverness, with Scotland hoping to reverse the result and bring the trophy home.

Women’s Camanachd Association President Karen Williamson said the opportunity to compete in Cork was something the players and organisation were eagerly anticipating.

She said:

“Last year’s game in Inverness was extremely competitive, and we hope to go one better this year and take the trophy back to Scotland.”

The internationals are about more than the final scores, bringing together sporting communities whose traditions have developed on opposite sides of the Irish Sea.

Although shinty, hurling and camogie have their own rules and identities, the international format allows players to test their abilities against opponents from another sporting culture.

The occasion also offers an opportunity to celebrate the enduring historical and cultural connections between Scotland and Ireland.

Mowi has continued its sponsorship of the Scottish teams, supporting both the international competition and the wider development of shinty.

Ben Hadfield, the company’s Chief Operating Officer for Farming in Scotland, Ireland, the Faroes and Canada East, emphasised the importance of those connections.

He said:

“Our sponsorship is about more than supporting elite competition, it is about investing in communities both in Scotland and in Ireland, celebrating heritage and inspiring future generations.”

GAA President Jarlath Burns also welcomed the return of the internationals to Ireland, highlighting the honour of representing one’s country and the shared cultural identity expressed through the games.

The matches will bring together established international players and those earning the opportunity to represent Scotland for the first time.

For supporters across the Highlands and Islands, the occasion provides another opportunity to see shinty celebrated beyond its traditional heartlands.

And when Scotland and Ireland take to the field in Cork, the familiar rivalry will once again be accompanied by the friendship and shared heritage that make these internationals so distinctive.

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