Ireland v Scotland………….4 Days To Go! | |
26 October 2010 Memory Lane – Shinty / Hurling International Historic First Croke Park Win For Scots! The Scotland senior side enjoyed an historic first win at Croke Park on Sunday 5 November 2006. This was the Scot’s first win away from home since the challenge match was revived in 1988. With the Ireland v Australia footballers due to take the field in front of a capacity 83,000 Croke Park crowd after this game, the stadium was more than half full before the end of the shinty / hurling clash. The Scot’s, led by Lochaber’s Ally Ferguson who was Head Coach and his assistant Fraser MacKenzie from Lochcarron, decided to play with 6 defenders which allowed Newtonmore’s Norman Campbell to play as the spare man. This tactical ploy was key to the Scot’s success and Campbell’s performance earned him the accolade of man of the match – becoming the first player to win this award on two occasions. The Scots also had Fort William’s Gary Innes, who just made the trip following a knee injury, in midfield with his Fort team mate Scott McNeil in goal. Lochcarron’s Kenny Ross and his club team-mate Angus MacKay were also included in a side captained by Fort William’s Victor Smith. Smith was joined in attack by Kingussie pair Ronald Ross and Kevin Thain and Kilmallie’s John Stewart. Gordie MacKinnon of Fort William and Inveraray’s Ruairidh Graham started on the bench. An early 2 point score from Ronald Ross settled the Scots and Gary Innes doubled the visitors’ advantage. Kevin Mac Garry of Fernmanagh pulled a point back and the Irish levelled the game at 4-4 when Kerry’s John Griffin blasted the ball into the net. The Scots went 7-3 up on the half hour mark. Ronald Ross played a terrific ball forward to Fort William’s Victor Smith and he smashed the ball past Graham Clark of Down in the Irish goal. A further 2 point score from Ronald Ross and a single from his Kingussie team-mate Kevin Thain gave Scotland a 10-4 half time lead. Paudie Reidy netted for the Irish in the second half but his effort was cancelled out by a brilliant Ronald Ross finish which left the Scot’s leading 13-7. Gary Innes twice scored 2 pointers either side of a 2 individual points from Kevin Thain whist Ireland’s remaining scores came from Mac Garry as Scotland ran out 19-11 winners. The 2010 Shinty / Hurling internationals take place in Ireland on 30 August 2010 with the return matches in Inverness a fortnight later. |