Kilmessan and Meath hurler Nicky Horan received some welcome news after weeks of controversy when selected on the Irish panel for Sunday's shinty international against Scotland. The game has suffered from a general lack of interest in Ireland in the past, meaning that often the representative team could hardly have been described as an Irish XV. This time, however, with the international dimension of gaelic games coming under closer scrutiny with the football Test series against Australia, the management team have selected a very strong panel of 20. DJ Carey will captain the team, as well as forming a lethal front-line combination with Young Irelands club and county colleague Charlie Carter. Other prominent hurlers to make the side include Tipperary goalkeeper Brendan Cummins, Cork's peerless full back Diarmaid O'Sullivan and target man Fergal McCormack, Galway pair Cathal Moore and Rory Gantley and Rory McCarthy of Wexford. Nicky Horan has been named among the six substitutes, and is the only player not to come from a prominent hurling county. It will be a major honour, completing a satisfactory end to a disappointing season for him at club level. Defending county hurling champions Kilmessan refused to play the Meath final over a dispute about the date of the fixture, and the title has since been handed to Trim. Tweet

Most Read Stories