Ireland claim hurling/shinty honours over Scotland

Ireland 0-22 Scotland 2-08

Ireland claimed the hurling/shinty 2023 international championship after a 0-22 to 2-08 win over Scotland at Páirc Esler in Newry.

It was the first time the countries had met since 2019 and it was Ireland's first time claiming the Mowi Quaich since triumphing at the same venue in 2014 in what was a two-game series.

Team captain Neil McManus – fresh off Cushendall’s Antrim SHC success last Sunday – opened the scoring for Ireland with a free under the stand before some good stick control from Tom Monaghan doubled their advantage.

Kevin Bartlett got the visitors off the mark before McManus nailed another free from the middle of the park. Monaghan’s brilliant snap-shot had the home side three ahead by the 12th minute.

Scotland were starting to feel their way into proceedings though with Blair Morrison and Iain Robinson both flashing just wide of Enda Rowland’s post before Bartlett fired low to the corner in the 19th minute to get his side on terms.

Clare’s Peter Duggan tried to catch Scotland out moments later, opting to go for goal from a seemingly tap-over free, but the crossbar denied him before Ger Millerick put Ireland 0-05 to 1-01 ahead coming into the last 15 minutes of the half.

A run of scores from McManus, Millerick, Duggan and Eoghan Cahill extended the lead to five points before Bartlett stopped the bleeding with a free.

Scotland nearly had a goal just before the break too with their tactic of playing long to Morrison in full-forward causing issues, but Robinson’s shot on the turn was brilliantly pushed over the bar by Rowland to leave Ireland 0-09 to 1-03 ahead at the break after the first of two 40-minute halves.

Ireland nearly goaled on the restart, Duggan’s high effort pushed around the