Ireland claim Hurling-Shinty title

Ireland 5-6 Scotland 3-7

Ireland dug deep to register a hard-earned 5-6 to 3-7 (21-16) win and claim the Hurling-Shinty International title for 2010, following this afternoon's second-leg match at Bught Park in Inverness.

Trailing by a point, following their first leg at Croke Park, Joe Dooley's charges showed great heart and determination to secure silverware on Scottish soil.

Ireland led by just two points in the second minute of injury time, but a Shane Dooley goal copperfastened the win.

In ideal conditions, the visitors were met with strong opposition from Scotland, and Ronald Ross' third-minute goal gave the hosts an early lead.

Dooley responded well for Ireland, bagging a point from a well-struck '65' and following up with a tenth minute goal. Those strikes pushed the Irish side 1-1 to 1-0 clear.

Scotland lost key player Ross through injury midway through the second half, and although they led by 1-5 to 1-2 in first half injury-time, a Neil McManus goal tied the game at the break.

John MacDonald helped Scotland bounce back in the second half. He netted his side's second goal within two minutes of the restart.

However, Dooley quickly slotted home his second goal, and following points from Gareth Johnson, McManus and Willie Hyland, Ireland led by 3-6 to 2-7 late on.

Johnson grabbed a vital goal soon after, and despite Gary Innes cutting the gap to two points in the dying minutes, Ireland closed out the with Dooley completing his hat-trick of goals.

After the game, Kilkenny defender Tommy Walsh received the cup on behalf of the victorious Irish team.

Scorers:

Ireland: S Dooley 3-1 (0-1 '65'), N McManus, G Johnston 1-1 each, W Hyland 0-2, B Murtagh 0-1.

Scotland: G Innes 1-3 (0-2f), J MacDonald (0-2sl), R Ross (0-2f) 1-2 each

IRELAND: P Dermody; A Graffin, D McCormack; T Murnane, J Tyrrell, E Nolan, T Walsh; N McManus, W Hyland; G Johnston, S Dooley, B McFall; B Murtagh, J Rowney. Interchange subs: P McCormack, S Clynch.

SCOTLAND: S MacKintosh; N Campbell, S Campbell; J Barr, N MacDonald, N MacPhee, G Innes; R MacDonald, R Ross; I MacDonald, J MacDonald, F McRae; G Irvine, S Nicholson.

Referee: Derek Cameron (Scotland).