Sun shines on Scots as Irish left in the shade
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE sun shone on Scotland as Ronald Ross’s side restored some pride to Scottish shinty with a memorable 23-14 victory against Ireland’s hurlers.
It puts them ahead in the series for the first time since 2010 and ready for the return leg in County Down next weekend.
But the bright sunlight almost led to the Scots’ downfall as keeper Stuart MacDonald endured a very uncomfortable second half, as the Hurlers peppered the Scots goal with high shots which dropped steeply out of the sky.
The Lovat custodian was once again a hero as he pulled of a string of unbelievable saves in the dying minutes as the Irish frantically tried to save the match.
"The sun was an absolute nightmare — easily the worst I have ever experienced," said MacDonald. "A couple of times I had no real idea where the ball was - I was just relieved to get my stick on it".
MacDonald was delighted with the victory however.
"Not in my wildest dreams did I imagine that we would take such a commanding lead but as Ronald (Ross) has been hammering home, the job is only half-done and we are prepared for a massive reaction from the Irish next Saturday.
"As you might expect Ronald is all about winning and right through the build-up to the match winning it has been his focus."
The match itself started explosively with Kevin Bartlett hitting two points with barely 40 seconds on the clock. The Scots were well on top and looked likely to overwhelm the visitors but Gary Innes and Roddy Macdonald missed simple chances while at the other end, MacDonald made a tremendous reflex save to keep out a point blank strike from Tipperary’s Patrick Maher.
Bartlett put his side a further two points ahead in 14 minutes from a free hit won by the persistent play of Newtonmore’s Fraser Mackintosh. Mackintosh, who had come on as substitute after Innes was forced out due to the effects of food poisoning, then turned provider when he dispossessed an Irish defender and Roddy Macdonald scored from close range to add a further three points to his side’s tally.
A further two pointer from Bartlett gave the Scots a 9-0 lead before the visitors finally got on the scoresheet on 25 minutes, first through a single point from Patrick Horgan and then with a goal from Cork’s Connor Lehane. He sprinted past three Scots’ defenders to fire an unstoppable shot past MacDonald from an acute angle.
Horgan clawed another Irish point back before the Scots re-asserted their dominance when a neat interchange between John Macdonald and Mackay let Newtonmore’s Paul MacArthur clear, but his effort flew just over and only counted for a single. Bartlett however was once again on hand with another two-pointer and although Horgan notched another point for the visitors, Scotland went in at the break with a 13-6 lead.
If the Scots supporters were in any way concerned about their side playing into the wind in the second half, their minds were quickly set at rest. Though Paul Dermody picked up an early single, Roddy Macdonald, who has been in the international wilderness for a year or two, repaid the manager’s faith in him when he nipped in front of his marker to glance home a Bartlett through ball for his second goal of the afternoon.
Two more points from Bartlett helped Scotland further ahead before Maher ran through to score a fine solo goal with the pace beginning to take a toll on the Scottish defence. Bartlett helped out with a further double but the Irish fought back with points from Lehane and Paul Divilly. Bartlett had the last word when he notched Scotland’s third goal when he pulled a high cross from Macdonald out of the air and fired the ball home to confirm his status as man of the match.
Stuart MacDonald had to make two fine late saves as the Irish, mindful of next weekend’s return leg in Newry, fought to reduce the margin of defeat.
Scotland go into the second leg holding a 3-1 series lead taking two points for the win and a bonus point for scoring two or more goals. Ireland also pick up a bonus point.
