One of Scotland’s most impressive Shinty / Hurling victories over Ireland came at An Aird in 2007.
The Scots ran out 22-11 winners following an action-packed encounter and the win gave Scotland their third victory in a row over the Irish.
Scotland manager Ally Ferguson’s squad included Fort William’s Scott McNeil, James Clark, John MacDonald and Gary Innes as well as Badenoch rivals Ronald Ross from Kingussie and Newtonmore pair Norman Campbell and Danny MacRae who captained the side.
Lester Ryan managed the Ireland panel and he had Galway keeper James Skehill and Kilkenny’s Martin Comerford, who won six All-Ireland championships, at his disposal.
Ireland picked up some early points through Jonathan O’Neill and Martin Comerford but a dead ball strike from Gary Innes opened Scotland’s account.
Scotland raced into the lead thanks to three goals in quick succession. Bute’s Hector Whitelaw got a 10 minute opener when he bundled the ball into the net after Skehill had saved from James Clark.
A foul on debutant John MacDonald gave Ronald Ross a dead ball opportunity a couple of minutes later and his blistering drive flew into the back of the net, leaving Skehill helpless.
Scotland were on a roll and Ronald Ross got his second goal of the game when he ran onto a deft touch from John MacDonald to score.
Ross added two more points from a dead ball opportunity and the Irish were struggling to cope with the Scots stunning ground play.
Ross almost completed his hat-trick but had to settle for a point when his shot went just over the bar.
Ireland did not make the most of some dead ball opportunities but they did get back on track with a goal when Martin Comerford put a dead ball chance past keeper Scott McNeil after being fouled by Danny MacRae.
Gary Innes added two more Scottish points before the half time whistle.
Ireland added single second half points through O’Neill, Comerford and Aiden Healey but the home side responded with singles from Ross and Innes twice.
Scotland found the back of the net for the fourth time with the only goal of the first half. Ronald Ross burst through the Ireland and although a brave Skehill save denied him his hat-trick, the rebound came off James Clark and ended up in the back of the net.
Late Ireland points from Kevin Hinphey and the impressive Comerford were merely consolation.
Newtonmore’s Norman Campbell was named man of the match after turning in a superb performance in the home defence. Time and time again he put his body on the line to deny powerful efforts from Martin Comerford and David Crimmins.
The match was Ally Ferguson’s last game in charge of the national side. Ferguson was assisted by current Scotland boss Drew McNeil and Charles Young as well as Fraser MacKenzie who was just about to take over the Head Coach’s role for a three year period.
MacKenzie remembers the encounter well. “This was the game when Ireland started to bring some of their higher profile names into the series,” he said. “James Skehill from Galway was in goal; Martin Comerford from Kilkenny was brought in as was the up and coming Joe Canning of Galway. I had been doing a lot of background work on the Irish before they came over and the two main threats to us we clearly going to be Martin Comerford for his running with the ball (soloing) and Joe Canning for his long distance points and amazing cutting in points from the sides. I watched clips of him doing this from near the half way line so we were all delighted to hear that Joe Canning had picked up an injury the week before and couldn't play.
“Given that Comerford was going to be their main threat in the game it was obvious to us that we had to continue with the extra defender to shut out his runs. This was to work well for us as Ireland didn't push a man forward and left Norman Campbell as a spare defender. Norman went on to have a fantastic game that year and won the man of the match. The boys gave him a ribbing after the game saying it was because he didn't have a man to mark!
“Ally gave debuts to Finlay MacRae and John Barr that year as they had being doing very well at U21 level and they have gone on to serve Scotland very well over the years.
“Although Ireland got off to a good start and went a few points ahead, we notched a two pointer through Gary Innes then stormed ahead with goals from Hector Whitelaw and a double from Ronald Ross.
“It’s very important to keep the points ticking over and that continued into the second half and when James Clark notched our fourth goal, the game was over.
“Ireland had obviously reacted to us beating them the previous year at Croke Park by bringing in some high profile players but our boys really played them off the park that day.
“It’s a game I look back on and think we didn't really get the credit we deserved for that result. When a result goes against Scotland, a lot of people jump on the band wagon and have a go at the series. However, we put in a great performance that year against a very good Ireland side and blew them away really."
(Reference: Report by Fraser MacKenzie (official) in the 2007 Shinty Year Book)
Series Details
Scotland and Ireland meet in the first Marine Harvest Shinty / Hurling test at Croke Park on Saturday 26 October 2013. Throw-in is at 4.15pm and the match will be televised live by Irish channel TG4 (available over the internet) and broadcast later by BBC Alba.
The second test between Scotland and Ireland takes place a week after on Saturday 2 November 2013 at the Bught Park, Inverness. Throw-in is at 2pm and the match will be televised live by BBC2 Scotland and TG4. The second test will be preceded by the Shinty / Camogie meeting between Scotland and Dublin and the U21 Shinty / Hurling meeting between the two countries.
Picture courtesy of www.neilgpaterson.com