Memory Lane – Shinty / Hurling International
Scots Enjoy 1995 Triple Success!
Scotland enjoyed a triple success over the Irish at a wet Fort William on Saturday 30 September 1995.
The Scots and Irish met in this composite rules challenge match at three different levels – U14, U21 and senior level.
There was a special challenge match between the sides at U14 level which took place at Canal Parks. The young Scots ran out 4-2 winners to show their senior counter-parts the way it should be done.
The Scotland U21s retained the upper-hand against the Irish following their 4-4 draw which was enough to give the Scots success as current holders. Scotland had Newtonmore’s Stuart Ferrier to thank for a last minute leveler. That was Ferrier’s second score of the day with Inveraray’s Garry MacPherson and Scott Rodger getting the others. However the Scots were under considerable pressure during the match and this was probably reflected in the fact that home keeper Kevin Hunter of Glengarry was named man of the match and was presented with sar-chluicheadair by Comunn na Gaidhlig’s Chief Executive Allan Campbell. Inveraray defender Scott Robertson also played his part in a side managed by Glasgow Mid Argyll’s Burton Morrison who was assisted by Kilmallie’s Duncan Kelly and Strachur’s Donald MacDonald.
Scotland U21 from;
Gavin Blainey (Oban Camanachd)
John Clark (Ballachulish)
Darren Coyle (Lochcarron)
Barry Dallas (Tayforth)
David Devine (Oban Camanachd)
Stuart Ferrier (Newtonmore)
John Gibson (Kingussie)
Kevin Hunter (Glengarry)
Fraser Inglis (Oban Camanachd)
Brian McCallum (Oban Celtic)
Brian MacDonald (Caberfeidh)
Innes MacDonald (Ballachulish)
Jamie MacDonald (Tayforth)
Lorne MacInnes (Tayforth)
Michael MacKintosh (Lochaber)
James Maclean (Glasgow University)
Iain MacMillan (Ballachulish)
Garry MacPherson (Inveraray)
George MacRae (Kyles Athletic)
Neil Robertson (Fort William)
Scott Robertson (Inveraray)
Scott Rodger (Kilmallie)
Mark Stewart (Glenurquhart)
Glen Tonkin (Newtonmore)
Yan Valentine (Fort William)
The Scotland senior side made it a clean sweep with an exciting 5-4 win over Ireland. The Scots were actually more convincing winners than the score-line suggests with GAA’s Albert Fallon commenting at the post-match reception that, “The Scots were ahead of the Irish in many respects.” Kingussie’s Ronald Ross was a hat-trick hero for Scotland with his club team-mate Ally Borthwick and Fort William’s Victor Smith also on target. Ross also had 2 other scores ruled out. Indeed Scotland’s dominance was such that Ireland keeper David Fitzgerald of All-Ireland champions Claire was named man of the match following a series of terrific saves. The Scots were captained by Kingussie’s Davie Anderson and they had a particularly strong side on show. Fort William’s Graeme MacMillan made his senior debut in goal as did Newtonmore’s Norman MacArthur at the ripe old age of 34. Willie Cowie came on in attack for the last 20 minutes and became the first Skye Camanachd player to represent Scotland at senior level. Allan MacKechnie and Allan MacInnes were unused substitutes. The Scot’s were managed by Kingussie’s Donnie Grant who was assisted by John MacKenzie of Newtonmore and Oban Camanachd’s Nigel Evans. Speaking after the game, Grant said, “We set out to play in a particular way and it worked. We wanted to be very tight at the back and keep our midfield back so that our 5 forwards had enough room to use their speed and quick touch.” The Scots led 5-2 with 10 minutes remaining but had to with-stand a strong Irish finish. “I don’t like singling out players,” said Grant, “But in the last 15 minutes of the game big James Clark was a tower of strength when we needed him. His long hitting time and time again got us back on the attack.” Ireland were managed by Limerick’s Michael O’Grady and as well as keeper Fitzgerald, they included hurling all-star Brian Corcoran of Cork and John Troy of Offaly in their side.
Scotland from;
Goalkeepers
Graeme MacMillan (Fort William)
John MacGregor (Oban Camanachd)
Defenders
Steve Borthwick (Kingussie)
Rory Fraser (Glasgow Mid Argyll)
Neil MacInnes (Oban Camanachd)
Doug MacIntyre (Oban Camanachd)
Alan MacKechnie (Glenorchy)
Adam Robertson (Fort William)
Michael Thain (Kingussie)
Midfielders
Alan MacInnes (Glasgow Mid Argyll)
James Clark (Fort William)
Michael Clark (Kingussie)
Willie MacDonald (Fort William)
Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow (Glenorchy)
Graham MacPherson (Inveraray)
Forwards
Davie Anderson (Kingussie) - Captain
Ally Borthwick (Kingussie)
Dave Borthwick (Kingussie)
Ronald Ross (Kingussie)
Willie Cowie (Skye Camanachd)
Norman MacArthur (Newtonmore)
Dave MacCuish (Oban Camanachd)
Gordon MacIntyre (Oban Camanachd)
Victor Smith (Fort William)