Scotland take home the honours in the Camogie/Shinty International

The curtain raiser for the International Shinty event in Pairc Esler, Newry on Saturday 25th October seen All Ireland Champions Down take on a confident Scotland Ladies Shinty team. The Down squad was at a slight disadvantage without the Clonduff contingent who had the Ulster Intermediate Final to contend with the next day so were unable to play but there was a few inter-county transfers for the day with Derry star Karen Kielt and Antrim goalkeeper Eleanor Mallon pulling on the Down jersey for the day.

From the off the game was very tight and quite physical, but I’m sure the Down girls had been well warned by Catherine McGourty who was a shinty player during her time in Glasgow. It was Scotland who got to grips with the game quickest hitting Down hard with a goal after five minutes but Down hit back with a point from Ballycran star Catherine McGourty. Unfortunately Down found it difficult to get the ball out of their half of the pitch for the rest of the half with Scotland claiming two more goals to go in at half time 3-00 to 0-01 up.

I’m sure Down manager Alistair McGilligan had a few things to say to his team at half-time as although there were strong performances from Lisa McAliskey, Catherine McGourty and Niamh Mallon they were behind to three very weak goals. As the second half got underway Down started to get to grips with the game and hit back with points from Niamh Mallon, a goal from Coleen Clarke and two points from a Catherine McGourty sideline over the bar. Unfortunately this wasn’t enough to get a win as Scotland continued to push and with another goal and two fantastic points came out as worthy winners with the game ending Scotland 4-02 Down 1-06.

The game finished in good spirits with the teams mixing for a joint photo and we were glad there was no hostility in the Savage household from Ballygalget as allegiances were mixed on the day with three sisters on the pitch, Aoife and Deirbhile playing for Down and Alannah lining out for Scotland. Many thanks to Cóilín Duffy for the photo’s.

 The Savage sisters