Late scores from Kerry’s Shane Nolan and Eoin Price of Westmeath helped Ireland to a two-point win over Scotland in Saturday’s Shinty-Hurling International at Croke Park.
A Fraser Heath goal gave Scotland an early 1-2 to 0-1 lead, but goals from Laois’s Zane Keenan and Patrick ‘Bonnar’ Maher gave Ireland a 2-7 to 2-6 interval lead.
Points were at a premium in the second half, with Kevin Bartlett and Derek McNicholas trading scores.
Both sides defended well, but were also guilty of wides, before Nolan and Price stepped up to ensure an Irish win.
Ireland manager Jeff Lynskey felt his side had to work hard.
“We had chances, but we just didn’t convert. It was hard won and hard fought. We got the two scores at the end and thankfully we won.”
Matthew Whelan was thrilled to captain Ireland to victory.
“It’s a huge honour. It’s one of those rare things you get to do in your career,” he said.
“I was looking forward to it all week in the hope that I would get to go up the steps of the Hogan Stand. Unfortunately Laois don’t get to do it too often, so I was going to savour it.”
IRELAND: E Reilly; B Murphy, J Toher; M Burke, M Whelan, D Healy; D McNicholas (0-1), D McInerney, N McAuley (0-1); Z Keenan (1-5), P Maher (1-0), E Price (0-2); TJ Reid, S Nolan (0-1).
Rolling Subs: B Deay, P Divilly, P Kelly, N Ó Muineachain, P McKenna.
SCOTLAND: S MacKintosh; F MacRae, C Millar; S MacDonald (0-2), R Kennedy, L Bain; D Cameron, J Barr, C Cormack; R MacDonald; K Bartlett (1-6), G MacKintosh, L MacDonald; F Heath (1-0).
Rolling Subs: G Irvine, Z Ferguson, N Reid, S Nicolson, P MacArthur.
REFEREE: Sean Cleere (Kilkenny)
