Callanan replaces Horgan for second Test

Pat Horgan has been forced to pull out of this Saturday's Hurling/Shinty International second Test against Scotland in Ennis.

The Cork All-Star nominee impressed in the opening Test in Inverness last weekend, top-scoring with 3-8 including all bar one point of Ireland's first-half tally.

Horgan is unavailable for the second Test at Cusack Park due to a previously booked holiday to Puerto Rico.

His place will be taken by Seamus Callanan who joins his Tipperary colleague Patrick 'Bonner' Maher on the 18-man squad.

Callanan is very happy to get the opportunity to be involved, saying: "I was absolutely delighted when I got the phone call on Sunday night.

"It's something I have watched on TV and I've always said I'd love to be involved in. When I got the call I was absolutely over the moon.

"It's a special game. It takes great skills and I'm looking forward to trying to play it now."

Callanan knows he has a tough act to follow after Horgan received rave reviews in Scotland for his performance last weekend.

"Pat is a class act really. He was super last weekend. He has magnificent skill and what he can do with the ball is unbelievable.

"We'll go out and give our best shot this week and hopefully we can pull through.

"It's unfortunate that Pat can't make it, but I'm really delighted to get the chance to come onto the panel now.

"Any day you get to represent your country no matter what it is, it's a great achievement and something special that you will remember forever."

The 2010 All-Ireland winner says another positive aspect of the Hurling/Shinty Series is getting to play with players from both the Liam MacCarthy Cup teams and the lower tiers.

"Anyone that's there is obviously going to be a good hurler," he said.

"It's lovely to be able to play with them. What I love most about sport is meeting people from all over. It's great to be able to go to these places and meet these people."

Callanan says it is a nice boost at the tail-end of the season, when thoughts of lining out in the Tipperary colours under new boss Eamon O'Shea are coming about.

"It is exciting times ahead for Tipperary hurling. Every year you try to go out and do your best and this will be no different I suppose," he added.