Scotland defeated by Ireland in cross-code series
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IT was a weekend of mixed fortunes for Scotland as they took on the Irish at three levels in the annual cross-codes encounters.
There was crushing disappointment for the senior men who were attempting to win the home and away series for the first time but that disappointment was offset in part by the under-21s and the ladies who both powered to convincing wins.
Lovat’s Greg Matheson top scored for the under-21s, hitting 14 of his side’s tally in a 21–7 victory.
Matheson’s club team mate Lewis Tawse struck a three pointer and Fort William’s Arran MacPhee weighed in four points as the Scots cantered to victory – thought to be the first time that the Scots have triumphed at under-21 level on Irish soil. Kyles’ Zac Coley won the man of the match accolade.
The day started brightly for the Scots as their ladies team carved out a fine 14- 9 win over a local Camogie side.
The ladies have gone from strength to strength in recent years recording their second win in succession over the Irish under Glenurquhart’s Stuart Reid although a full international may still be some time away.
The feel-good factor produced by the success of under-21s and the ladies set up Ronald Ross’s senior side who were looking to make history by winning the home and away series for the first time since its introduction in 2010.
They had given themselves a terrific platform with last Saturday’s 23-14 win at the Bught.
The Scots had prepared themselves for an Irish onslaught and that’s exactly what they got despite the absence of the Cork’s Patrick Horgan, hammer of the Scots in previous encounters.
Ronald Ross had fielded an unchanged side for the floodlit match played at Newry’s Pairc Esler.
Scotland's hero of last week Kevin Bartlett continued his onslaught as he put his side ahead with a two pointer but the Irish were quickly into the match and levelled through David McInerney.
Scotland captain Finlay MacRae had feared the pace of the Irish forwards and as the greens began to exert control in midfield Eoin Price and Patrick Maher attacked down the flanks to strike fear into the Scots’ rearguard but poor finishing meant Scotland survived.
Bartlett picked up another two points from a free hit to give Scotland the lead. But Ireland were relentless and first, Paul Divilly powered past Steven Macdonald to steal a single point before Price and Patrick Maher paraded the full extent of their skills picking up a single apiece.
Minutes later Westmeath’s Price ruthlessly exposed the Scots’ defensive frailties and produced a scorching run which culminated in a terrific goal.
Half time saw Ireland hold a 9–4 lead although Scotland hung onto to an aggregate lead which was beginning to look more and a more fragile.
Ireland started the second half at the same high tempo with Connor McCann striking a single. Bartlett drove over another two points to bring his total for the two legs to an Impressive 22 points.
At this stage it looked likely that he would add to his tally but the Irish had a stranglehold and little was seen of Scotland as an attacking force as the second half progressed.
Corks’ Conor Lehane immediately restored the differential and minutes later Ireland then had the ball in the net a second time but the game was pulled back for a Scottish foul with Lehane converting the foul for two points to extend the lead to 13-6 on the day although the Scots aggregate lead was 29-27.
Price and Leland picked up a single each before Bartlett racked up two more points to keep Scotland ahead, but further singles from Larkin McLaughlin and John McCusker once again evened things out.
However, Bartlett then struck his fourth two-pointer of the game, as Ireland squandered further goal chances, Maher and Lehane shooting just wide of the Scots’ goal.
Eventually, the all-important goal came in the 73rd minute, with the Scottish defence finally opening up after Maher did the spadework to create the chance for Price, who capped a man of the performance with his second goal of the game.
The scoreline ended in a convincing 38-31 win for the hurlers to extend their dominance of the two-leg series. It was a fitting farewell to the popular Irish manager Michael Walshe who stands down after six years with his unbeaten record intact.
Scorers for Scotland: K Bartlett 0-8.
Scorers for Ireland: E Price 2-5, C Lehane 0-7, David McInerney 0-2, J McCusker 0-2, C McCann 0-1, L McLoughlin 0-1.
Scotland Squad: John Barr, Kevin Bartlett, Conor Cormack, Callum Cruden, Gary Innes, Grant Irvine, Paul MacArthur, John MacDonald, Roddy MacDonald, Steven McDonald, Stuart MacDonald, Lorne Mackay, Fraser Mackintosh, Finlay MacRae, John MacRae, Callum Miller, Steven Morrison, Louis Munro, Shaun Nicolson.
Ireland Squad: Eoin Reilly (Laois), Mickey Burke (Meath), Paul Dermody (Kildare), Paul Divilly (Kildare), John Egan (Kerry), David English (Carlow), Lorcán McLoughlin (Cork), Conor Lehane (Cork), Patrick Maher (Tipperary), Conor McCann (Antrim), Neal McCauley (Antrim), Johnny McCusker (Down), David McInerney (Clare), Brian Murphy (Kerry), Shane Nolan (Kerry), Darragh O’Connell (Kerry), Eoin Price (Westmeath), Matthew Whelan (Laois), David Kettle (Louth).
Referee: Christy Browne (Galway)
