Ireland men beaten in Shinty/Hurling

Seamus Qualter's Ireland side lost today's Shinty/Hurling senior international 20-17 to their Scottish counterparts at Bught Park, Inverness.

The Irish panel, which was backboned by players who participated in this past summer's lower-tier Christy Ring and Nicky Rackard Cups, relied largely on Westmeath's Enda Loughlin and Kerryman John Mike Dooley, whose late goal earned a draw in last year's match, for their scoring.

Loughlin secured the man-of-the-match accolade as he finished with an 8-point tally (a 72nd-minute goal, 2 two-pointers and a one-pointer).

The Irish had rallied after a poor opening. Carlow's Pat Coady bagged a 17th-minute goal but it was almost an hour before Dooley slalomed through to net Ireland's second goal and his only score.

Coady also scored a point while Sean McBride of Derry secured two points from a free. Scotland's four goals came from Gary Innes, Ronald Ross, James Clark and Victor Smith.

Ireland's Under-21s fared little better as Kieran McKeever scored their only three-pointer in a 14-8 win for the hosts.

Ireland's women's side, the first ever camogie team to travel abroad, did manage to prevent a whitewash as they held Scotland scoreless in a 13-0 victory.

Roscommon's Annette McGeeney top-scored with a goal and three one-pointers. Lizzie Glennon, also from Roscommon, and captain Bernie Farrelly of Kildare scored Ireland's other goals.