Ireland v Scotland - Shinty International First Test
Hurling/Shinty International Second Test Preview
Saturday, October 25
Hurling/Shinty International Series Second TestIreland v Scotland, Páirc Esler, Newry, 5pm (Live on TG4)
Having secured a 3-14 to 2-8 victory over Ireland in Bught Park last week, Scotland's first test win since 2010, Ronald Ross's charges travel to Newry on Saturday in an ideal position to win the series for the first time since 2008.
Scotland have, in fact, never won the series since the home and away, two test series was introduced in 2010, with Ireland recording quite comfortable wins for four successive years.
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Scotland led by 2-12 to 1-4 at one stage in Inverness last week thanks to superb contributions from Lovat's Kevin Bartlett, who hit a remarkable 16 points of his side's total, and Kyles Athletic's Roddy MacDonald, who hit two goals, worth six points.
Ireland, managed by Kilkenny man Michael Walshe, fought back in the closing stages and a goal from Tipperary's Patrick 'Bonner' Maher gave the visitors a losing bonus point for scoring two goals, and some hope going into Saturday's return clash.
Scotland lead by 3-1 going into the game, having secured two points for the win and a bonus point for scoring two goals or more.
Walshe and Ireland will be hoping to make a much better start in Newry, having been stunned by an early barrage in Inverness, where a flurry of points by Bartlett and a MacDonald goal had them 1-6 to 0-0 ahead after 22 minutes.
A goal from Cork's Conor Lehane, followed by two points from fellow Rebel Patrick Horgan, had Ireland back in the game. However, Scotland's only single from normal play came from Paul MacArthur and they were in a dominant position at the break, 1-10 to 1-3 ahead.
With the wind at their backs in the second half, Ireland were expected to mount a serious fightback, but they were only saved from being on the receiving end of a bad beating by 'Bonner' Maher's goal, the Tipp man having volleyed past Scotland goalkeeper Stuart MacDonald after some neat interplay. Ireland, however, did have a number of goal chances, with Lehane in particular forcing a fine save from MacDonald.
"It puts a bit of spice back into this fixture again because the Irish were running away with it," Scotland manager Ross declared afterwards.
In order to take the series, Ireland need to win in Newry and to secure a bonus point by scoring two goals or more, while at the same time ensuring the Scots do not score two goals.
"It's going to be a big ask, but the boys, as I said to them there, have to regroup, take a bit of pride in themselves and come back very strong," said Ireland manager Walshe after the game.
For those unfamiliar with the rules of the composite code, the main deviations from those used in hurling are that a player cannot handle or kick the ball. In addition, the scoring system is different, with two points awarded for a score from a ground stroke, while the ball is one size smaller than the standard size five sliotar.
The game will be preceded by an U21 international between Ireland and Scotland at 3pm. Entry to Páirc Esler is free.
Ireland: Eoin Reilly (Laois), Mickey Burke (Meath), Paul Dermody (Kildare), Paul Divilly (Kildare), John Egan (Kerry), David English (Carlow), Patrick Horgan (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).
Scotland: 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 Mackntosh, Finlay Macrae, John Macrae, Callum Miller, Steven Morrisson, Louis Munro, Shaun Nicolson.
Ireland U21: Paddy McKenna (Louth), Joseph Boyle (Westmeath), Joe Campion (Laois), Thomas Casey (Kerry), Evan Dempsey (Kildare), Michael Dudley (Antrim), Dean Higgins (Galway), Gerry Keegan (Kildare), Tony Kelly (Clare), Daniel McKernan (Antrim), Seadna Morey (Clare), Aaron Nugent (Wicklow), Niall O'Brien (Westmeath), Brendan O'Leary (Kerry), Stephen Reneghan (Armagh), James Toher (Meath), Brett Nicholson (Down), Noel Fallon (Roscommon).
