Ireland U21 kept their recent strangle-hold on this fixture with a 17-8 win over Scotland U21 at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 29 October 2011.
After an even opening, the Irish youngsters powered to victory with an impressive second half display.
Ireland flew out of the blocks from the throw-in and John Coyne from Roscommon, who caught the eye throughout the game, put them a point ahead with a great shot over the bar after just 20 seconds.
However Beauly’s Conor Cormack restored parity before Kerry's Shane Nolan with a goal, and his county team-mate and Irish captain Darragh O’Connell with a point, put Ireland four points in front.
Scotland fought back though and Beauly’s David MacLean picked up a point before a well-worked goal from Kingussie’s Ryan Borthwick squared the game at (1-2) 5-5 (1-2) with 19 minutes played.
Lovat’s Callum Cruden put a monster shot over the bar to put the Scots briefly in front on 29 minutes.
However 60 seconds later, a surging Darragh O’Connell run was ended when he was tackled 20 yards from goal but the ball broke to Tyrone’s Conor Grugan who shot low into the net to make it (1-3) 6-8 (2-2) at the break.
There was little in it at this stage and the Scot’s went close at the start of the second half when Kilmallie’s Liam MacDonald couldn’t get a shot in following a good run and cross from Lovat’s James MacPherson.
The Scots were dealt a blow 11 minutes into the second half when Conor Grugan shot through a ruck of players to find the back of the net.
Kingussie’s Thomas Borthwick just failed to get on the end of a cross from the right and Ireland went on to punish Scotland further when a Shane Nolan shot deceived keeper Paul MacKay from Fort William.
Conor Grugan went on to complete his hat-trick to make it (1-3) 6-17 (5-2) for the visitors.
Scotland captain John MacRae had the last say when he fired a two-pointer over the bar to make the final score (1-5) 8-17 (5-2) in Ireland’s favour.
(Full match report to follow)