Scotland Ladies survived a late fight-back to beat Co. Down Ladies 14-9 in their Shinty / Camogie clash at Pairc Esler, Newry on Saturday 25 October 2014.
This encounter was a step-up in opposition for the Scots following last year’s win over Dublin and the eventual victory was a second triumph in his second year in charge for Scotland boss Stuart Reid.
Scotland faced a tough challenge against Premier Junior All-Ireland champions Co. Down. Boss Stuart Reid had a full squad to choose and there was a debut in defence for Skye’s Caitlin MacLean.
His opposite number Alistair McGilligan was be without seven of his squad as the impressive Fionnuala Carr, Sarah Louise Carr, Karen Gribben, Paula Gribben, Clare McGilligan, Nicola O’Hagan and Lisa McPolin were in action for their club side Clonduff in the Ulster Cup Final.
The match took place at Pairc Esler, Newry which has a capacity of around 20,000. In recent years the ground has undergone major redevelopment work with new stands, floodlights and a new pitch all added. The new stand was officially opened by GAA president Nicky Brennan on 8 October 2007.
The Scots got off to a blistering start and after missing the target with a couple of frees, Katie Drain, who was winning her sixth cap, found the back of the net twice on 4 and 5 minutes to put the visitors 6-0 ahead. Both goals were scrappy but that didn’t concern the noisy Scotland support.
Ireland, who were taking time to adapt the cross-codes game, pulled a point back on 9 minutes through Catherine McGourty who used to play shinty in Scotland.
Scotland were in no mood to let Ireland back into the game and when Katie Drain found Lisa Norman-MacColl, the Scot celebrated her 13th international cap by slotting the ball into the back of the net to make it 9-1 and the visitors took this lead into the half-time break.
Lorna MacRae put the ball over the bar from around 40 yards out for the first point of the second half to extend Scotland’s lead to 10-1.
Ireland were not going to roll over though and Colleen Clark scored the home side’s only goal when she put the ball past Scotland goalie Elizabeth MacGregor, who was making her sixth international appearance, 5 minutes into the second half which made it 10-4.
The Scots were dominant and Kirsty MacDonald got a debut goal to make it 13-4 on 41 minutes. It was a fine finish from the Lochaber youngster after some good play between the forwards.
Play swung to the other end and an Irish point from Niamh Main from distance made it 13-5.
There was concern for the Scotland camp when full back Janette McGregor was accidentally struck in the forehead with a stick after a collision with a player from her own team and a Down player. The Badenoch defender, who was winning her sixth cap, was left with a bump on her brow but she was able to continue after treatment.
Katy Smith made it 14-5 when she put the ball over the bar on 48 minutes.
However with 8 minutes left Catherine McGourty led an Irish comeback with four points in four minutes, including a two-pointer struck from the ground, which took her tally to five points and made it 14-9.
An Irish goal in the final 4 minutes would have made for a tense finish but the Scots’ defence stayed and Scotland ran out 14-9 winners.
Scorers
Ireland
Catherine McGourty (0-5) 5
Colleen Clarke (1-0) 3
Niamh Mallon (0-1) 1
Scotland
Katie Drain (2-0) 6
Lisa Norman-MacColl (1-0) 3
Lorna MacRae (0-1) 1
Kirsty MacDonald (1-0) 3
Katy Smith (0-1) 1
(Picture courtesy of Neil G Paterson)