PICTURES: Badenoch shinty stars shine in narrow Scotland loss to strong Irish team
It was so near yet so far for Scotland as they went down 12-10 to Ireland in their Mowi shinty-hurling international at a packed Bught Park in Inverness on Saturday.
With Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney in attendance, Kingussie pair Rory McGregor and Calum Grant were given starting debuts with clubmates Alexander Michie and Ruaridh Anderson also in the opening line-up.
Newtonmore’s Iain Robinison joined Anderson in attack whilst Rory Kennedy returned to the international scene.
‘More’s Daniel Sloss took a place on the bench.
Scotland amassed a 7-0 lead thanks to a significant Kingussie contribution as Ruaridh Anderson scored twice with two clinical finishes either side of an Alexander Michie strike over the bar.
Ireland drew level before half-time and, despite another Michie point which put the Scots briefly back in front, the Irish gained the edge in midfield to lead 12-8 before late home points from Oban Camanachd’s Daniel MacVicar and Kinlochshiel’s Donald Nixon.
Scotland passed up some good chances throughout the game.
But they were also indebted to keeper Rory McGregor for an outstanding display which not only justified his selection but also earned him the man of the match accolade which was announced at the evening reception afterwards.
Ireland fielded a strong side and Dan Morrissey, an All-Ireland winner with Tipperary this year, was presented with the Mowi Quaich by Janye MacKay from sponsors Mowi.
Scotland manager Alan MacRae was delighted with his troops: “I’m so pleased with all the players, and I’m just gutted with the outcome as we were so close to winning that.
“It was there for us but we just couldn’t get it over the line.
“We gave the players a plan and they carried it out. We got a lot of things right and it’s just a pity we have to wait another year to play this fixture again.”
Final score: Scotland (2-4) 10-12 (3-3) Ireland