Scots draw first blood in Hurling/Shinty International
Joe Dooley's Irish side were beaten by 2-17 to 2-16 in thrilling first Test of the Hurling/Shinty International at Croke Park on Saturday evening.
In a thoroughly entertaining curtain-raiser to the main the event, Ireland fought back in the closing stages to leave just a point between the sides.
Ireland trailed by 2-7 to 2-5 at the break after an exciting first half which produced four goals.
Shane Dooley, the son of manager Joe, hit the back of the net twice for Ireland, while Scotland's three-pointers came from Gary Innes and Finlay MacCrae.
With just four minutes left on the clock, Ireland had whittled back the vistors' lead to just a single point but a free from MacCrae eased the Scots further ahead.
However, late points from Laois's John Rowley and eight-times GAA All Star Tommy Walsh left just a single score between the sides at the end.
The two countries will do battle again in the second Test at Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday, November 13.
Scorers for Ireland -- S Dooley 2-4 (1 65); P Horgan 0-5 (1f); N McManus 0-3; E Nolan, J Rowney, T Walsh 0-1 each. Scorers for Scotland -- R Ross 0-6 (3f), F Macrae 1-3 (1 65); G Innes 1-2 (1 65); J MacDonald 0-3 (1f); S Nicolson, N MacPhee 0-1 each.
IRELAND: P Dermody; A Graffin, D McCormack; T Murnane, J Tyrrell, E Nolan; T Walsh, S Clynch, W Hyland; P Horgan, G Johnson, N McManus; A O'Brien, S Dooley. Interchange subs: B McFall, B Murtagh, J Rowney, P McCormack.
SCOTLAND: S Mackintosh; N Campbell, J Barr; N MacDonald, D Rodger, I McDonald; C Bamber, N MacPhee, G Innes; F Macrae, J MacDonald, R MacDonald; G Irvine, R Ross. Interchange Subs: S Campbell, A Corrigan, S Nicolson, P Gow, P MacKay.
REFEREE: Tony Carroll (Offaly)
