McCallan spins his magic in Ireland’s Euro victory

NEITHER Scotland nor the rain could prevent Ireland winning the European Championship and retaining their crown at Clontarf yesterday after Kyle McCallan had produced one of the great spells of one-day bowling.

The veteran off-spinner, playing his 194th game for Ireland, claimed figures of three for 10 from seven overs to restrict Scotland to 152 for nine and, chasing a revised target of 128 from 27 overs, the champions romped home with seven wickets and 19 balls to spare.

McCallan must have despaired as Ireland’s wayward opening attack, allied to shoddy fielding, leaked 56 runs from the first eight overs but his introduction shortly after spelt the end of Scottish hopes of a first European title.