Scotland 24 Ireland 14.
Victorious Scotland Shinty manager Ronald Ross believes his side ticked all the boxes as a blistering first half show helped them defeat Ireland’s hurlers 24-14 yesterday in Inverness.
The Scots were eye catching and effective as they dismantled Jeffrey Lynskey’s men before claiming the Marine Harvest quaich.
“That was as good as we’ve seen in a first half,” smiled Ross MBE. “The players stuck to the task and played some good Shinty.”
Bught Park was bathed in highland sunshine as the players awaited the anthems.
Ireland scored a tactical point beforehand, citing Patrick Maher in the squad despite the fact the talisman was not listed in the original pool.
Prior to the main game, there were also mixed blessings for all in dark blue.
Stuart Reid’s Scottish senior Ladies side took the plaudits with a 19-1 victory over a Kildare County Camogie Select.
However, Garry Reid’s U-21 men could not add to the winning roster, falling 25-6 to Ireland U-21s.
Next up was the senior men and what a first half performance they mustered.
As well as stifling the Irish, the dark blues proved adept in attack and Bartlett hit a two pointer over the uprights in 5 minutes.
Ireland’s Zane Keenan did the same to level at 2-2 from before Bartlett restored the Scottish lead with another two point hit in 13 minutes.
Steven MacDonald of Newtonmore, a former Premier League footballer, then extended Scotland’s lead with a powerful but accurate distance drill over the uprights.
If Scotland were growing in morale, there chests were puffed out even further thanks to two three- point goals.
The first came from the caman of Newtonmore striker Glen Mackintosh, proving why he is the deadliest marksman in Shinty.
The 36 year old allowed a pass from Bartlett to approach him before flashing the ball home.
Next up was Kilmallie’s Liam MacDonald who beat Irish keeper Eoin Reilly all ends up with a sizzling shot.
A further two point hit from Bartlett had the Scots comfortable at 14-4 before another three point goal reinforced their dominance.
Glen Urquhart’s Fraser Heath capitalised on a long ball into the box to hammer the ball home and Bartlett converted from nearly the half way line to make it 19-4 for Scotland.
Further strikes from Bartlett (2) and Liam MacDonald (1) made it 22-4 to the Scots at the interval and manager Ross must have been delighted with the momentum building in their favour.
The visitors were always going to mount a second half comeback and they got a bit of luck with Shane Nolan’s three point goal.
The ball broke kindly and Nolan was alert enough to drill the ball into the net.
Things were getting nervier for the Scots when Nolan grabbed another three point goal and dead-ball specialist Keenan hit four points with only a two point reply from Bartlett.
However, Scotland held out for a famous - and much deserved- win.
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