Scots victorious after second half surge
Scotland battled back from eight points down to beat Ireland 14-12 and lift the Marine Harvest Quaich at the Bught Park on Saturday.
The Scots went into the match on the back of four successive home victories and led by captain Grant Irvine of Kyles Athletic.
Ireland started on a soft pitch with a strong wind in their favour and Scotland spent most of the first half pinned back.
The home side were six points down in the opening 20 minutes, the Irish taking advantage of the wind with straightforward single-pointers from range.
All the home side had to offer for their first half efforts was a twopoint Kevin Bartlett free-hit as they trailed 10-2 at the mid point of the match.
Scotland came out for the second half with wind advantage and showed their intent as Arran MacPhee and Roddy Macdonald both had early attempts at goal.
Kevin Bartlett drove the ball between the posts to make it 10-4 and the come-back was on.
Bartlett added another two-pointer from left of centre on 52 minutes to make it 10-6.
Scotland captain Grant Irvine took a blow to the top of the head and, with blood streaming down his
Scotland U21 squad named
Scotland U21 head coach Alan MacRae has named his squad for the shinty/hurling meeting with Ireland U21 at the GAA National Games Development Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin, on Saturday November 3.
Throw-in is at 2pm and Archie Ritchie is the match referee.
Scotland U21: Scott MacLachlan, Inveraray; Lachlan Smith, Glenurquhart; Rory MacKeachan, Kingussie; Daniel Sloss, Oban Camanachd; Robert Mabon, Kingussie; Craig Ritchie, Newtonmore; Blair Morrison, Caberfeidh, captain; Iain Richardson, Newtonmore; Ross MacMillan, Oban Celtic; John Gillies, Skye Camanachd; Calum Grant, Kingussie; Danny Kelly, Lovat; Jonnie MacAskill, Glasgow Mid Argyll; Calum Shepherd, Fort William; Innes Blackhall, Kilmallie; Will Cowie, Skye Camanachd; Alexander MacMillan, Fort William; Findlay MacDonald, Lochaber; Iain Robinson, Newtonmore; Roddy Young, Kingussie. face, he came off to receive stitches.
Andrew MacCuish capped his debut with a point as he ran onto a loose ball before swiping it over to make it 11-7.
Scotland manager Garry Reid added Glen MacKintosh, Evan Menzies and Greg Matheson with just over 20 minutes to go and his intentions were clear.
Jason Forde showed his class when he dived over the top to increase the Irish lead to 12-7.
Then Glen MacKintosh pounced on a loose ball to slot the ball over the line and the Irish lead was cut to two points with 66 minutes gone.
Just a minute later, Greg Matheson drove the ball over from distance and the contest was tied at 12-12 with three minutes remaining.
Scotland had the momentum, and soon a free hit offered a straightforward opportunity for Kevin Bartlett, who confidently stroked the ball over to make it 14-12 and, with just over a minute remaining, Scotland led for the first time in the match. Five minutes’ stoppage time was played before Irish referee John Keane blew for time and Scotland celebrated another win on home soil.