Scots succumb to Irish
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SCOTLAND head coach Drew MacNeil will be applying for a contract extension after his two year tenure expires this year.
MacNeil confirmed his intentions after watching the Scotland senior side narrowly lose the 2011 home and away series to the Irish hurlers at Bught Park on Saturday.
"My contract was for two years, finishing in 2011," said MacNeill in the aftermath of Scotland’s defeat in the Highland Capital. "I want to stay on as I have really enjoyed the challenge."
MacNeil was a popular choice after Fraser MacKenzie stepped down in 2009 in the wake of a Scottish loss, also at Bught Park.
On Saturday, Scotland faced an uphill task after losing the away leg the previous weekend. Despite the defeat, Scotland came agonisingly close to pulling off a famous victory and in the eyes of many were robbed of the triumph by a controversial refereeing decision.
With less than five minutes remaining and the Irish trailing 14-12, visiting player Brendan Maher launched a huge hit from inside his own half. The ball dropped over Scotland goalkeeper Stuart MacKintosh and into the net for three points. Scotland captain Norman Campbell, who had a perfect view, was convinced that an Irish attacker was standing offside, but his protests were waved away by match official David Mitchell.
Speaking afterwards, however, MacNeil was happy that no injustice had taken place and simply stated that it was a mistake by his goalkeeper.
The Irish went on to hold out for an overall victory of four points to one with a match points tally in their favour of 34-28.
Much had been made in the build-up to Saturday’s game about the state of the Athy pitch on the previous Saturday.
But at the weekend, Mike MacLeod and his team at Bught Park had produced a first class playing surface and in the opening exchanges the Scots relished the conditions.
With barely 10 minutes elapsed, Scotland led 7-0 with Caberfeidh’s Kevin Bartlett knocking over a brace of two pointers, while Finlay MacRae scored three points with a sensational strike from the halfway line. Bartlett then struck an upright in the 19th minute, but was not to be denied as he pushed the Scots into a nine-point lead and on course for overall victory in the 33rd minute.
The Irish were missing the target with uncharacteristic carelessness, but Willie Hyland finally got his side on the move with a one pointer in the 35th minute.
With half-time approaching, the Irish suddenly found an extra gear and Joe Bergin drove an effort home for three points.
Bartlett, however, had the final say of an encouraging first half for the Scots with two points to put his side 11-5 in front — enough of a lead to secure overall victory.
The Irish continued where they had left off after the interval and with the wind at their backs, they slowly chipped away at the deficit with Hyland grabbing three points.
Bartlett coolly slotted over to edge the Scots further ahead, but Hyland snatched a further two points to bring the scores to 13-10. Gary Innes struck for the Scots before Irish captain Michael Rice hit an inventive strike to give his side a precious two points, closing the gap to 14-12.
Then came Maher’s controversial strike which left the Scots staring defeat in the face. It was, however, to be Ireland’s day and Rice was presented with the Marine Harvest Quaich by managing director Alan Sutherland.
Earlier, Scotland’s under-21 side were given a harsh lesson in the arts of the hybrid sport as they went down 17-8 to the Irish.
In a Shinty/Camogie challenge, a Scotland select defeated a British Universities side 27-3. Star of the show was Lovat’s Laura Gallagher, who hit 13 points.
Meanwhile, At a ceremony in Inverness on Friday evening, the Marine Harvest 2011 awards were presented.
Kyles’ Roddy MacDonald picked up the player of the year prize, while Newtonmore’s Norman MacArthur won the coach of the year trophy. Other awards went to Kinlochshiel’s Johnston Gill for North Division One coach of the year and his team captain Keith MacRae lifted the player of the year title in that division.
