Shinty-Hurling International: Scotland edge thriller

Shinty-hurling international

Scotland 4-12 Ireland 2-17

By Stephen Barry at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Zander Michie pointed a last-gasp penalty to give Scotland their first shinty-hurling international victory over Ireland since 2019 after a thrilling contest at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Billy Nolan had converted an 83rd-minute levelling free and made six saves, but his last stop was pulled back for a penalty when Darragh Neary threw his hurley as Thomas Borthwick shot at goal.

Goals from midfielders Neary and Diarmaid Stritch had kept Ireland in touch against the wind and they looked likely winners entering the last 10 minutes. But Iain Robinson and Innes Blackhall’s goals set up a grandstand finish.

Eamon O’Shea’s 20-man squad included players from all five hurling tiers, with eight having played in the All-Ireland SHC this year.

The 14-a-side contest featured two-man inside lines and an extra player in midfield. That made for a congested and physical centre. Six substitutes were rolled on and off to retain freshness throughout the 80-minute encounter.

After a handful of early misses, one of Ireland’s most experienced shinty internationals, Antrim half-back Gerard Walsh, got the hosts on the board with a tidy jab lift and precise strike from the left flank.

Backed by a strong wind blowing into the Blackrock End, Scotland soon got the upper hand. They reeled off 1-4 without reply as Calum McLay whipped a neat move to the net after nine minutes.

Walsh nailed an outstanding sideline cut into the wind, but Scotland had their own dead-ball ace in Michie. He converted six placed balls off the ground, including two 65s.

Nolan kept Ireland close with reflex saves from Ruaridh Anderson and Donald Nixon’s vicious low drives. Aaron Dunphy also forced the Scottish keeper into action, while Andrew Ormond’s frees closed the gap.

On the half-hour, Nolan saved superbly from McLay, but the Waterford stopper had no luck as the rebound fell for the attacker to prod home his second.

Trailing by seven, Ireland came straight upfield. Neary absorbed a painful blow from the throw-in, but shook it off to guide the sliotar forward from the 45 and tuck away.

Ireland needed another brilliant Nolan save before further trimming the deficit. Pearse Óg McCrickard juggled the sliotar into Stritch’s path and the Clare hotshot planted a rising shot into the top corner. They trailed 2-7 to 2-4 at half-time.

In a stop-start opening to the second half, Michie’s fourth free extended Scotland’s lead before the Irish comeback began.

Cian O’Sullivan and Ormond found the target. He never took one for Cork, but newly retired home favourite Séamus Harnedy got the rare opportunity to convert a free. Fermanagh’s Luca McCusker arrowed over a terrific leveller on the turn. Dunphy then converted a free to give Ireland their first lead in 50 minutes.

It didn’t last long as Robinson equalised from an outrageous angle before Nolan was called into action for his fifth save to deny Danny Kelly.

A couple of hurleys were broken as the intensity rose in a hard-hitting second half before Robinson provided Scotland’s lead goal.

Three consecutive Dunphy frees gave Ireland the edge and Sam O’Farrell’s sublime effort looked the insurance score, but Blackhall’s goal ignited the stoppage-time drama.

Scorers for Scotland: Calum McLay 2-1; Zander Michie 0-6 (3f, 2 65s, 1p); Iain Robinson 1-1; Innes Blackhall 1-0; Declan Brannan 0-2 (1f, 1 65); Ruaridh Anderson, Daniel MacVicar 0-1 each.

Scorers for Ireland: Aaron Dunphy 0-5 (5f); Darragh Neary, Diarmaid Stritch 1-0 each; Andrew Ormond 0-3 (2f); Gerard Walsh (1 s/l), Sam O’Farrell 0-2 each; Cian O’Sullivan, Luca McCusker, Séamus Harnedy (f), Pearse Óg McCrickard, Billy Nolan (f) 0-1 each.

SCOTLAND: Bob McGregor; Rory Kennedy, Ryan Harrison; Blair Morrison, Andy MacDonald, Daniel Sloss; Zander Michie, Thomas Borthwick, Danny Kelly; Declan Brannan, Innes Blackhall, Daniel MacVicar; Calum McLay, Iain Robinson. Interchange: Duncan Matheson, Ali McClean, Donald Nixon, Ruaridh Anderson, Neily McNaughton, Lewis Cameron.

IRELAND: Billy Nolan; Mikey Butler, Ian Shanahan; Gerard Walsh, Meehaul McGrath, Ryan Mullaney; Darragh Neary, Fiachra C Fennell, Diarmuid Stritch; Aaron Dunphy, Sam O'Farrell, Séamus Harnedy; Andrew Ormond, Cian O'Sullivan.
Interchange: Luca McCusker, Pearse Óg McCrickard, Joe Murray, Patrick Turner, Kyle O'Connor, Damien Healey.

Referee: Eamonn Furlong (Wexford).