IRELAND 9-11 SCOTLAND 1-3
By Brian Barry
Ireland were too strong for Scotland in Saturday’s Camogie-Shinty international contest at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, running out 9-11 to 1-3 winners.
Aimie Nolan top-scored for the girls in green, with an impressive personal tally of 4-3 all from play.
There was a variety of skills on display in Lee-side, as the hybrid sport prompted bits of eye-catching ingenuity. The Irish camógs were exposed to a different challenge in the form of the Scots’ fierce ball-striking, with the ball flying distances of over 70 yards off strokes straight off the ground.
No catching the ball, no kicking the ball, no hand-passing. Just striking straight off the stick. This is a version of the game surely approved by the traditionalists.
In the 14-aside contest, Carlow’s Nolan and Dublin’s Sinéad Wylde led the line for the hosts in the two-strong full-forward line.
And it was Nolan who caused headache after headache for the Scotland defence immediately from throw-in.
She stole in early on to find the net, lobbing the goalkeeper with a fourth-minute shot to nudge Ireland into an early lead.
However, the Irish rearguard didn’t have to wait long to learn the identity of Scotland’s primary threat. Megan Ralph of Badenoch first struck impressively off the ground to get the visitors’ opening point, before she then found herself one-on-one with Amy Lee in the Irish goal, and made no mistake with a low shot to the corner.
Ralph could have bagged another goal moments later, as her dangerous attempt from range had Lee scrambling before dancing wide
Ger Manley’s side eventually found their groove, however.
Nolan soon struck again for a second goal, before Wylde’s point attempt dropped short and into the net.
Nolan worked her way in for a third, capping a first-half tally of 3-2.
Laura Hayes then showcased some eye-catching scores, with a long-range point and a goal to boot, as Ireland took a deserved 5-4 to 1-2 lead into the break.
Scotland re-emerged rejuvenated, and looked the more threatening for much of the third quarter.
However, they were unable to convert their dominance on the scoreboard, and Naoise Hughes pointed for Ireland in the 46th minute for the opening score of the half.
Isobel Sheehan, Saoirse McCarthy, Anais Curran and Nolan all added second-half majors from there.
McCarthy’s goal came after a storming run down the left, and she rifled to the back of the net to score a goal in the fixture for a second year in succession.
Ultimately, Ireland proved too strong as they capped a comprehensive victory on Lee-side, and captain Ashling Thompson climbed the steps of the South Stand to collect the silverware.
Scorers for Ireland: Aimie Nolan (4-3), Laura Hayes (1-2), Anais Curran (1-1), Isobel Sheehan (1-1), Saoirse McCarthy (1-0), Sinéad Wylde (1-0), Ava Fitzgerald (0-1), Shannagh Hegarty (0-1), Naoise Hughes (0-1), Emma Murphy (0-1).
Scorers for Scotland: Megan Ralph (1-1), Iona McCulloch (0-1), Lorna McRae (0-1).
Ireland starting team: Amy Lee (Cork); Rebecca Kelly (Carlow), Aoife McDonald (Tyrone); Gráinne McDonald (Tyrone), Ashling Thompson (Cork), Dearbhla Magee (Down); Laura Hayes (Cork), Shannagh Hegarty (Antrim), Rachael Walsh (Waterford); Emma Murphy (Cork), Saoirse McCarthy (Cork), Naoise Hughes (Armagh); Sinéad Wylde (Dublin), Aimie Nolan (Carlow).
Rolling subs: Anais Curran (Wexford), Ava Fitzgerald (Cork), Maeve Clince (Meath), Isobel Sheehan (Cork), Sophie O’Callaghan (Limerick).
Scotland starting team: Elizabeth McGregor; Kira MacDonald, Laura McCafferty; Rachel McCafferty, Amy Disher, Roma Frazer; Caitlin MacLean, Mairi Stewart, Rona Stewart; Alaina MacLennon, Natalie MacDonald, Megan Ralph; Abby MacLean, Lorna MacRae.
Rolling subs: Eilidh Cameron, Iona McCulloch, Beth MacLennan, Maree MacKenzie, Rachael Borthwick.
McCarthy Insurance Group and Co-Op Superstores County Junior A & B Hurling and Football Championship Quarter-Finals
Canovee hold firm to claim Premier JFC title against Cobh
Canovee 0-10 (0-0-10) Cobh 0-9 (0-2-5)
Canovee once again showed their resilience under pressure to secure a narrow victory over Cobh in the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier Junior Football Championship final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Having suffered the disappointment of conceding a late goal to neighbours Kilmurry in the 2024 final, Canovee were determined not to let another opportunity slip away. This time, their collective defensive effort proved decisive, with full-back and joint-captain Liam Kelleher producing a crucial turnover in the closing stages to deny Cobh a final chance of finding an equaliser.
In difficult conditions, with a strong wind making life challenging for both teams, Canovee’s dominance during the third quarter ultimately proved the difference. They created several promising goal opportunities during that spell but had to settle for points as they gradually took control of the contest.
Cobh had enjoyed the advantage of the elements in the first half and led by 0-6 to 0-5 at the interval. Evan Cummins extended that advantage shortly after the restart, but Canovee responded impressively, taking the game to their opponents and gradually turning the tide.
Daire McMahon opened their second-half account with a fine point before substitute Seán O’Connor delivered an excellent pass towards the same player. McMahon’s lay-off found Evan Dodd in a promising position, but the forward was unfortunate to spill possession over the end line when a goal appeared there for the taking.
Canovee continued to threaten. James Moynihan set up Jack Kelleher for an equalising point, while influential wing-back Eoghan Lehane came close to a goal, only for his effort to be blocked on the line by Cobh captain Seán Cummins.
The resulting 45 was converted by Evan Dodd, and Canovee came close to raising a green flag again when McMahon’s low effort from the left drifted just wide, leaving Odhran O’Driscoll unable to turn the ball in at the far post.
Their pressure eventually translated into a three-point advantage, with corner-back Patrick Buckley and wing-back O’Driscoll landing excellent scores within a minute of each other. Those proved to be Canovee’s final points, but they had done enough to put themselves in a commanding position.
Cobh, who had gone 18 minutes without scoring, finally ended that barren spell through an Eoin Cullimore free. Adam McCarthy then brought the margin back to a single point, setting up a tense finish.
However, Canovee remained composed under pressure, with Kelleher’s decisive intervention helping to preserve their lead and secure the Donal Hurley Cup.
Earlier, Cobh had struggled to make the most of the strong wind in the opening stages, with four early long-range attempts drifting wide. Canovee gradually established a foothold around midfield, where Aidan Murphy was particularly influential, and began to find openings through the Cobh defence.
James Moynihan threatened to create a goal opportunity, but determined defending from George Keating prevented him from getting through. Canovee continued to move the ball well, and a clever pass from Lehane allowed McMahon to put them 0-3 to 0-1 ahead before Conor O’Neill added another point around the quarter-hour mark.
Cobh responded through Timmy Wilk, whose two-point score brought them back within one. Lehane replied for Canovee, who almost opened up a five-point lead when a well-worked move presented Murphy with a close-range opportunity. Ed Walsh produced an excellent save to keep Cobh in the contest.
Cobh then rallied. Adam Doran pointed following a counter-attack before Cullimore struck from approximately 50 metres to give his side a 0-6 to 0-5 half-time advantage.
Cummins added another point after the restart, but Canovee took control thereafter, producing the decisive spell that ultimately secured the championship.
With their defence standing firm in the closing moments, Canovee had the satisfaction of completing the job this time around and lifting the Premier Junior Football Championship title.
Shinty-Hurling International: Scotland edge thriller
Shinty-hurling international
24 October 2026; Séamus Harnedy of Ireland during the 2026 Hurling/Shinty International match between Ireland and Scotland at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Scotland 4-12 Ireland 2-17
By Stephen Barry at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Zander Michie pointed a last-gasp penalty to give Scotland their first shinty-hurling international victory over Ireland since 2019 after a thrilling contest at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Billy Nolan had converted an 83rd-minute levelling free and made six saves, but his last stop was pulled back for a penalty when Darragh Neary threw his hurley as Thomas Borthwick shot at goal.
Goals from midfielders Neary and Diarmaid Stritch had kept Ireland in touch against the wind and they looked likely winners entering the last 10 minutes. But Iain Robinson and Innes Blackhall’s goals set up a grandstand finish.
Eamon O’Shea’s 20-man squad included players from all five hurling tiers, with eight having played in the All-Ireland SHC this year.
The 14-a-side contest featured two-man inside lines and an extra player in midfield. That made for a congested and physical centre. Six substitutes were rolled on and off to retain freshness throughout the 80-minute encounter.
After a handful of early misses, one of Ireland’s most experienced shinty internationals, Antrim half-back Gerard Walsh, got the hosts on the board with a tidy jab lift and precise strike from the left flank.
Backed by a strong wind blowing into the Blackrock End, Scotland soon got the upper hand. They reeled off 1-4 without reply as Calum McLay whipped a neat move to the net after nine minutes.
Walsh nailed an outstanding sideline cut into the wind, but Scotland had their own dead-ball ace in Michie. He converted six placed balls off the ground, including two 65s.
Nolan kept Ireland close with reflex saves from Ruaridh Anderson and Donald Nixon’s vicious low drives. Aaron Dunphy also forced the Scottish keeper into action, while Andrew Ormond’s frees closed the gap.
On the half-hour, Nolan saved superbly from McLay, but the Waterford stopper had no luck as the rebound fell for the attacker to prod home his second.
Trailing by seven, Ireland came straight upfield. Neary absorbed a painful blow from the throw-in, but shook it off to guide the sliotar forward from the 45 and tuck away.
Ireland needed another brilliant Nolan save before further trimming the deficit. Pearse Óg McCrickard juggled the sliotar into Stritch’s path and the Clare hotshot planted a rising shot into the top corner. They trailed 2-7 to 2-4 at half-time.
In a stop-start opening to the second half, Michie’s fourth free extended Scotland’s lead before the Irish comeback began.
Cian O’Sullivan and Ormond found the target. He never took one for Cork, but newly retired home favourite Séamus Harnedy got the rare opportunity to convert a free. Fermanagh’s Luca McCusker arrowed over a terrific leveller on the turn. Dunphy then converted a free to give Ireland their first lead in 50 minutes.
It didn’t last long as Robinson equalised from an outrageous angle before Nolan was called into action for his fifth save to deny Danny Kelly.
A couple of hurleys were broken as the intensity rose in a hard-hitting second half before Robinson provided Scotland’s lead goal.
Three consecutive Dunphy frees gave Ireland the edge and Sam O’Farrell’s sublime effort looked the insurance score, but Blackhall’s goal ignited the stoppage-time drama.
Scorers for Scotland: Calum McLay 2-1; Zander Michie 0-6 (3f, 2 65s, 1p); Iain Robinson 1-1; Innes Blackhall 1-0; Declan Brannan 0-2 (1f, 1 65); Ruaridh Anderson, Daniel MacVicar 0-1 each.
Scorers for Ireland: Aaron Dunphy 0-5 (5f); Darragh Neary, Diarmaid Stritch 1-0 each; Andrew Ormond 0-3 (2f); Gerard Walsh (1 s/l), Sam O’Farrell 0-2 each; Cian O’Sullivan, Luca McCusker, Séamus Harnedy (f), Pearse Óg McCrickard, Billy Nolan (f) 0-1 each.
SCOTLAND: Bob McGregor; Rory Kennedy, Ryan Harrison; Blair Morrison, Andy MacDonald, Daniel Sloss; Zander Michie, Thomas Borthwick, Danny Kelly; Declan Brannan, Innes Blackhall, Daniel MacVicar; Calum McLay, Iain Robinson. Interchange: Duncan Matheson, Ali McClean, Donald Nixon, Ruaridh Anderson, Neily McNaughton, Lewis Cameron.
IRELAND: Billy Nolan; Mikey Butler, Ian Shanahan; Gerard Walsh, Meehaul McGrath, Ryan Mullaney; Darragh Neary, Fiachra C Fennell, Diarmuid Stritch; Aaron Dunphy, Sam O’Farrell, Séamus Harnedy; Andrew Ormond, Cian O’Sullivan.
Interchange: Luca McCusker, Pearse Óg McCrickard, Joe Murray, Patrick Turner, Kyle O’Connor, Damien Healey.
Referee: Eamonn Furlong (Wexford).
Shinty-Camogie International: Ireland too strong for Scotland
IRELAND 9-11 SCOTLAND 1-3
By Brian Barry
Ireland were too strong for Scotland in Saturday’s Camogie-Shinty international contest at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, running out 9-11 to 1-3 winners.
Aimie Nolan top-scored for the girls in green, with an impressive personal tally of 4-3 all from play.
There was a variety of skills on display in Lee-side, as the hybrid sport prompted bits of eye-catching ingenuity. The Irish camógs were exposed to a different challenge in the form of the Scots’ fierce ball-striking, with the ball flying distances of over 70 yards off strokes straight off the ground.
No catching the ball, no kicking the ball, no hand-passing. Just striking straight off the stick. This is a version of the game surely approved by the traditionalists.
In the 14-aside contest, Carlow’s Nolan and Dublin’s Sinéad Wylde led the line for the hosts in the two-strong full-forward line.
And it was Nolan who caused headache after headache for the Scotland defence immediately from throw-in.
She stole in early on to find the net, lobbing the goalkeeper with a fourth-minute shot to nudge Ireland into an early lead.
However, the Irish rearguard didn’t have to wait long to learn the identity of Scotland’s primary threat. Megan Ralph of Badenoch first struck impressively off the ground to get the visitors’ opening point, before she then found herself one-on-one with Amy Lee in the Irish goal, and made no mistake with a low shot to the corner.
Ralph could have bagged another goal moments later, as her dangerous attempt from range had Lee scrambling before dancing wide
Ger Manley’s side eventually found their groove, however.
Nolan soon struck again for a second goal, before Wylde’s point attempt dropped short and into the net.
Nolan worked her way in for a third, capping a first-half tally of 3-2.
Laura Hayes then showcased some eye-catching scores, with a long-range point and a goal to boot, as Ireland took a deserved 5-4 to 1-2 lead into the break.
Scotland re-emerged rejuvenated, and looked the more threatening for much of the third quarter.
However, they were unable to convert their dominance on the scoreboard, and Naoise Hughes pointed for Ireland in the 46th minute for the opening score of the half.
Isobel Sheehan, Saoirse McCarthy, Anais Curran and Nolan all added second-half majors from there.
McCarthy’s goal came after a storming run down the left, and she rifled to the back of the net to score a goal in the fixture for a second year in succession.
Ultimately, Ireland proved too strong as they capped a comprehensive victory on Lee-side, and captain Ashling Thompson climbed the steps of the South Stand to collect the silverware.
Scorers for Ireland: Aimie Nolan (4-3), Laura Hayes (1-2), Anais Curran (1-1), Isobel Sheehan (1-1), Saoirse McCarthy (1-0), Sinéad Wylde (1-0), Ava Fitzgerald (0-1), Shannagh Hegarty (0-1), Naoise Hughes (0-1), Emma Murphy (0-1).
Scorers for Scotland: Megan Ralph (1-1), Iona McCulloch (0-1), Lorna McRae (0-1).
Ireland starting team: Amy Lee (Cork); Rebecca Kelly (Carlow), Aoife McDonald (Tyrone); Gráinne McDonald (Tyrone), Ashling Thompson (Cork), Dearbhla Magee (Down); Laura Hayes (Cork), Shannagh Hegarty (Antrim), Rachael Walsh (Waterford); Emma Murphy (Cork), Saoirse McCarthy (Cork), Naoise Hughes (Armagh); Sinéad Wylde (Dublin), Aimie Nolan (Carlow).
Rolling subs: Anais Curran (Wexford), Ava Fitzgerald (Cork), Maeve Clince (Meath), Isobel Sheehan (Cork), Sophie O’Callaghan (Limerick).
Scotland starting team: Elizabeth McGregor; Kira MacDonald, Laura McCafferty; Rachel McCafferty, Amy Disher, Roma Frazer; Caitlin MacLean, Mairi Stewart, Rona Stewart; Alaina MacLennon, Natalie MacDonald, Megan Ralph; Abby MacLean, Lorna MacRae.
Rolling subs: Eilidh Cameron, Iona McCulloch, Beth MacLennan, Maree MacKenzie, Rachael Borthwick.
Meet the Referees: County Football Finals, Sunday 25 October
Niall Hayes (Carbery Rangers) and David Murnane (Macroom) will referee Sunday’s McCarthy Insurance Group county football finals at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Niall takes charge of the Premier Junior final between Cobh and Canovee at 2pm, and David the Premier Senior final between Nemo Rangers and St Finbarr’s at 4pm.
Both bring experience of big days, and each will be supported by a full team of linesmen, umpires and a fourth official.
Premier Junior Football Final, 2pm: Niall Hayes (Carbery Rangers)
Cobh v Canovee
Niall Hayes started refereeing in 2021 and has taken charge of games across Carbery, Rebel Óg West and the County Board since then.
His highlights so far include this year’s Rebel Óg Premier 1 Minor Football final, the 2025 County Junior B final and several Rebel Óg West finals in recent years. He is quick to credit the officials alongside him: none of it, he says, would be possible without them.
Premier Senior Football Final, 4pm: David Murnane (Macroom)
Nemo Rangers v St Finbarr’s
David Murnane began refereeing in 2006, when his division needed more referees. Twenty years on, he has one of the strongest CVs in the county.
Sunday will be his third Premier Senior final, after 2018 and 2021. He has also refereed:
David is grateful to everyone who has helped him over the years as an umpire, linesman and in other officiating roles. He calls refereeing a very fulfilling role where you meet great characters, and urges anyone interested to give it a go.
Watch and attend
Both finals are live on Clubber TV. Premium Level opens at 12:30pm, and the South Stand Lower and North Stand open at 1:00pm. Tickets (Adult €25, Student / OAP €20, U16s free) are on sale at gaacork.ie/tickets and in select SuperValu and Centra stores.