Ireland will take a five-point advantage into next weekend's Hurling/Shinty International second leg in Inverness after overcoming Scotland on a 1-16 to 2-8 scoreline in Athy, Co. Kildare on Saturday.

The home side had Laois goalkeeper Patrick Mullaney to thank after he made a string of brilliant saves to keep the Scots at bay. Ireland led by 0-8 to 0-3 at the break with Michael Rice, Eoin Kelly, Joe Bergin and Willie Hyland raising white flags.

A goal from Carlow's Eoin Nolan in the 52nd minute had Ireland cruising, but late goals from Gary Innes and Keith McRae for the visitors means it's still all to play for in the Highlands next Saturday.

"We were five up at half-time and we finished with five points to spare, but it was a battle right through," a satisfied Ireland manager Joe Dooley said afterwards.

Ireland: P Mullaney (Laois); J Bergin (Offaly, 0-3), K Divilly (Kildare), C Donnelly (Antrim), J Doran (Kildare), A Graffin (Antrim), W Hyland (Laois, 0-3), E Kelly (Tipperary, 0-5), D Kennedy (Kildare), D Maguire (Tyrone), B Maher (Tipperary), S Morley (Mayo), T Murnane (Kerry), B Murtagh (Westmeath), E Nolan (Carlow, 1-2), A O'Brien (Wicklow), E Price (Westmeath, 0-2), M Rice (Kildare, 0-1). Tweet

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