A “narrative disrupting” clash of gaelic games organised by the Presbyterian Church will take place in west Belfast this weekend.
The ‘Between the Sticks’ or ‘Idir Camánaibh’ sporting event will see hurling and camogie teams from Antrim face two shinty teams from Scotland using composite rules.
As part of Antrim GAA’s 140th celebrations, the matches will take place in the county’s current home ground of Corrigan Park on Saturday.
Part of Féile an Phobail, some may be surprised to learn the driving force is the Presbyterian Church of Ireland (PCI) minister, Rev David Moore.
He is currently trying to re-forge lost Presbyterian links in the west of the city, with a special ministry known as An Tionólann or The Gathering.
‘Shinty-Hurling outreach games are about narrative disruption, celebrating Antrim GAA and the rebirth of Presbyterianism in west Belfast
With several congregations closing during the 1970s and 1980s, he now holds a monthly service in An Chultúrlann, the Irish cultural heritage centre on the Falls Road, which was Broadway Presbyterian Church from 1882 for 100 years.
Rev Moore said there was a long tradition of Gaelic games coming together from Scotland and Ireland, with the symbolism of unity more important than ever.
“We could not have done it without the support of Antrim GAA, and I want to thank them, especially Collie Donnelly, former county hurler and chairman, who has got us to this point. Antrim is providing the special teams’ kits, county facilities on the day, and has just been really engaged and supportive,” he said.
Calling the events a kind of “narrative disruption,” he added that in the north of Scotland those who speak a Gaelic language and played shinty are usually Presbyterians.
The men’s shinty side is drawn from a team from Stirlingshire and Lanarkshire, with the women’s team coming from the Isle of Skye.
The first ever shinty-hurling match between Irish and Scottish teams took place in 1896 in London.
Annual international fixtures have continued, with last year’s victory going to the Irish side.
A shinty player since primary school, Jenna Beaton is the coach of Skye Camanachd.
Playing for Scotland in the 2013 women’s international, she is now looking forward to Saturday’s clash in west Belfast.
“In 2013 we won that match, but win or lose it’s good craic and we are all looking forward to Saturday. Half of the team have played combined rules, and I hope that everyone watching will enjoy it.
“For us it is always a tough game, because we use different rules, and you have to get used to that, which makes it more exciting to play and, I hope to watch. I might make a wee appearance up front, depending on how things go.”
The shinty-hurling-camogie rules see 14 players a side, playing with aspects of both sports with each half lasting 35 minutes and players using their own sticks.
Al Reed, captain of the joint men’s shinty team, has been playing for 17 years.
“Shinty is a Highland sport that was brought to the central belt of Scotland, and has a special place in Scottish Gaelic culture,” he said.
“It was actually brought here by the Irish centuries ago, and has developed into its own local game. All the guys are looking forward to Saturday’s match and a big shout out to the organisers for having us over.”
County Chairman, Séamus McMullan, said it was “a powerful reminder” of the enduring cultural ties between the Glens of Antrim and the Highlands of Scotland.
“As we celebrate 140 years of the GAA in Antrim, it’s fitting to honour that shared heritage through our ancient games of hurling and shinty,” he said.
“In coming together across traditions and communities, we’re not just marking history – we’re continuing it.”
Both friendlies are free to attend with gates opening at 3pm before the men’s game at 4pm and women’s at 4pm.
by Strict_Ad_7269
6 comments
Been at a few of these games. Brilliant to see in this day and age. Spent a good while around a Camanachd club and even had a session in the Skye clubs bar. Tough as nails and just as proud of their sport as our hurling community
Surely this cannot go unopposed? Help me out, Reddit. Who should I be complaining to this about?
brilliant
Hurling and shinty are the same game except they have developed different over the centuries, the game is played mainly within Celtic nations, Scots, Welsh and Irish, it goes back a millennia in The Island of Ireland, to most Celts it is non religious, to some Celts, not many, It is just seen as an Irish Catholic thing, but Hey ho.
Sounds great, obviously I hope we wipe the floor with the shinty teams but this sounds like a fantastic opportunity to get some new eyes on all the games involved and set up a good cross community platform.
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