Senior Hurling / Shinty International 2nd Test – Ireland 1-15 Scotland 0-14

Walsh hails Ireland’s display as brave Scots dismissed

By Cóilín Duffy for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Ireland 1-15 Scotland 0-14

Ireland manager Michael Walsh paid tribute to the strength of his side’s defence as Ireland claimed Shinty-Hurling honours in testing conditions at Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday. Boosted by Kilkenny duo Jackie Tyrrell and Richie Hogan, the visitors held the hosts to just one point in the closing 30 minutes. Scotland led by 0-11 to 0-10 at half-time, with Kevin Bartlett scoring five two-pointers, and a Glen McKintosh point edging Drew McNeill’s charges ahead at the break. Ireland kept in touch thanks to the efforts of captain Neil McManus; Laois’s Cahir Healy; Kerry’s Darragh O’Connell and Gareth ‘Magic’ Johnson of Down.

Patrick ‘Bonnar’ Maher netted for Ireland eight minutes after the break and though Scotland drew level, five unanswered points provided a platform for Ireland. “I was delighted we again created that bit of space in the second half and ‘Bonnar’ Maher got in for a fantastic goal,” said Walsh. “I think that was the crucial score. All our players gave everything, our defence over the two days was magnificent.”

Earlier a quartet of second-half goals helped Ireland U21s to their eighth victory in a row, following a 4-9 to 2-4 win over Scotland. The sides were level at 0-4 apiece at the interval, but Ireland opened up on the restart. Galway’s Jason Flynn was impressive while Antrim’s Matthew Donnelly claiming Ireland’s first goal to open up a six-point lead. Scotland edged back with a Duncan MacRae goal, but goals from Antrim’s Stephen McAfee, Kerry’s Bryan Murphy and Offaly’s Stephen Quirke saw Ireland home.

Ireland scorers: N McManus 0-7; R Hogan 0-4; P Maher 1-0; G Johnson 0-2; D O’Connell, C Healy 0-1.

Scotland scorers: K Bartlett 0-12; G MacKintosh, C Cormack 0-1.

IRELAND: E Reilly, A Graffin, J Tyrrell, B Maher, D English, C Woods, D O’Connell, E Price, C Healy, P Divilly, G Johnson, P Maher, R Hogan, N McManus.

Interchange subs: D Cullen, J Kavanagh, K McKiernan, D McNicholas, N MacAuley.

SCOTLAND: Stuart MacDonald, N Campbell, D Irvine, J Barr, D Cameron, Steven MacDonald, J Hutchinson, S Nicolson, F MacRae, C Cormack, F MacKintosh, G MacKintosh, K Bartlett, L MacDonald.

Interchange subs: C Cruden, L Bain, K MacRae, J MacRae, S MacKintosh.

Referee: Dick Cameron