Ireland U21 just edged out Scotland U21 with a (3-8) 23-19 (2-9) win in a thrilling match under the floodlights at St. Josephs Doora Barefield, Ennis on Friday 26 October 2012.
Scotland Head Coach Ronald Ross, in his first match in charge of the colts, started with his captain, Rory Kennedy from Newtonmore and Lochaber’s Zandz Ferguson in the full back positions with Beauly’s Conor Cormack also in the heart of the defence. Kinlochshiel’s John MacRae was given the full centre berth whilst Lovat’s Greg Matheson led the attack. Ross was assisted on the trip by Lochaber’s Jason Latto.
The Irish fielded a strong U21 line-up and they also had new men at the helm as Jeffrey Lynskey from Galway and Antrim’s Gregory O'Kane replaced Kilkenny’s Michael Walsh and John Meyler who stepped up to look after the Irish senior side. They included Clare defender Seadna Morey, who was earlier in the week named Ireland’s “Breaking Through Player of the Year”. They gave the full centre role to 18 year old Tony Kelly of Clare who was another “Breaking Through Player of the Year” nominee and Niall O’Brien who has been prolific in front of goal for Westmeath this season. They were captained by Kerry forward Shane Nolan. However they had to do without the services of Kilkenny’s Ollie Walsh so Shane Dowling from Limerick was called up in his place.
Scotland started against a strong wind in the first half of this 7pm throw-in but they went into an early lead when John MacRae put a free from distance over the bar to make it (0-0) 0-2 (0-2) after just 2 minutes.
However the lead was short-lived as an Irish goal from Westmeath’s Niall O’Brien on 5 minutes put the hosts (1-0) 5-2 (0-2) ahead.
Scotland responded in the best possible way and Lochaber’s Ben Delaney was played in by Glenurquhart’s Fraser Heath on 8 minutes and he fired the ball past Galway keeper Jamie Ryan to swing the advantage back Scotland’s way as they led (1-0) 5-7 (1-2).
Scotland lost defender Andy MacKintosh from Newtonmore through injury after just 10 minutes and he was replaced by Skye Camanachd’s Shockie MacLennan.
Greg Matheson put a free over the bar for the Scots as the sides exchanged points with Scotland still leading (1-1) 6-9 (1-4).
Ireland fought back and added two more points which cut Scotland’s advantage to a single point at the half-time break, (1-3) 8-9 (1-4).
An early Irish point, 5 minutes into the second half, from midfielder Tony Kelly from Clare squared this enthralling contest at (1-4) 9-9 (1-4).
However, within a couple of minutes, Scotland had added a goal from Greg Matheson and a point from substitute James Dunn from the SCOTS to lead (1-4) 9-15 (2-5).
Scotland added four more points as Greg Matheson put two more frees over the bar to take his tally to 11 points, but an Irish goal from Armagh’s James King made it (2-4) 14-19 (2-9) to the visitors with only 15 minutes remaining.
Ireland pulled a point back 6 minutes later to make it (2-5) 15-19 (2-9) in Scotland’s favour.
However Ireland added a crucial third goal from Meath's Seavna Morris a couple of minutes later to take a (3-5) 20-19 (2-9) lead with only 7 minutes remaining.
Ireland added three more points before the end to go (3-8) 23-19 (2-9) in front.
Scotland were dealt a blow when John MacRae had to come off with concussion.
The Scots’ task was made harder by the loss of forward Neale Reid with an arm injury which required a trip to hospital and was later confirmed as a broken arm.
Greg Matheson had a late chance to win it for the Scots but his shot came back off keeper Jamie Ryan.
When referee Ted MacDonald, Bute blew his final whistle, it was Ireland who took the spoils by a narrow margin with a (3-8) 23-19 (2-9) win.
Tony Kelly was excellent in the middle of the park for Ireland. His display impressed everyone in the large crowd as he turned in a man of the match performance.
Scotland put in a superb team performance and they came so close to winning the game. Connor Cormack was a colossus in the heart of the home defence, ably supported by Rory Kennedy and Zandz Ferguson whilst Greg Matheson made a healthy points contribution.
The Scotland performance gives Ronald Ross plenty encouragement and plenty to work with ahead of next year’s meeting.
Ireland points; (to follow)
Scotland points; Greg Matheson (1-6), Ben Delaney (1-0), John MacRae (0-2), James Dunn (0-1)
Ireland from; Jamie Ryan (Galway), Ronan McAteer (Monaghan), Conor Corvan (Armagh), Kevin Downer (Limerick), Patrick Flynn (Laois), Tony Kelly (Clare), Niall Kilroy (Roscommon), James King (Armagh), Seavna Morris (Meath), Stephen Morris (Meath), Conal Morgan (Antrim), Shane Nolan (Kerry) (captain), Niall O’Brien (Westmeath), Paul O’Grady (Mayo), Morgan Quinn (Leitrim), James Toher (Meath), Nathan Unwin (Loais), Shane Dowling (Limerick)
Scotland from; Paul MacKay (Fort William), Zandz Ferguson (Lochaber), Rory Kennedy (Newtonmore) (captain), Steven Stewart (Fort William), Conor Cormack (Beauly), Andy MacKintosh (Newtonmore), David MacLean (Beauly), John MacRae (Kinlochshiel), Garry Lord (Oban Camanachd), Fraser Heath (Glenurquhart), Duncan “Ach” MacRae (Kinlochshiel), Ben Delaney (Lochaber), Greg Matheson (Lovat), Neale Reid (Glenurquhart), subs Shockie MacLennan (Skye Camanachd), Martin Johnstone (Lochaber), James MacMillan (Oban Camanachd), James Dunn (The SCOTS), Craig Mainland (Lovat)
Match Referee – Ted MacDonald