Ireland win Hurling/Shinty series

Hurling/Shinty International Second TestIreland 2-9 Scotland 1-11

Ireland retained the Shinty/Hurling International series with a 2-9 to 1-11 defeat of Scotland at Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday.

Leading the series by five points on aggregate after last week's first Test in Athy, Co. Kildare, Ireland staged a late comeback, with a fortunate goal from Tipperary's Brendan Maher late in the game sealing the victory for the visitors.

Maher's decisive goal came from a long-range free, which evaded the Scottish goalkeeper, and dropped under the crossbar.

Ireland struggled against the wind in the first half and were 1-6 to 0-0 down at one stage, with Finlay Macrae scoring Scotland's goal.

However, that margin was down to 1-8 to 1-2 down at the break, Offaly's Joe Bergin getting the visitors' goal after 40 minutes and Laois man Willie Hyland hitting the target from a free.

However, in tough conditions, Joe Dooley's side ground out the victory with Ireland claiming the series for the third year running, as Kilkenny's Michael Rice lifted the trophy afterwards.

Earlier, Ireland won the U21 international by 2-5 to 1-5.