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Scots look for shinty revenge, Inverleith maintain perfect record, Inverclyde retain cross country title and Hoy pulls out of Euro Championships

Scotland shinty boss Drew McNeil is refusing to concede international series defeat despite the dark blues going down 19-14 to Ireland’s hurlers in Kildare yesterday.

In a first leg which was played at a ferocious tempo despite driving wind and rain, the Irish drew first blood, with the second leg next weekend in Inverness.

Ireland’s superior hitting skills won the day, with Scotland’s ground efforts falling away in the mud.

However, McNeil is still confident Scotland can turn around the deficit in front of the live BBC2 cameras next weekend at Bught Park.

“We missed some decent opportunities for two-point hits in the first half and that worked against us. The conditions were terrible but I was pleased the way the guys stuck to the task,” he said.

Scotland took an early lead but Ireland assumed control thereafter. Scotland’s goals came from Gary Innes and Keith McRae, with points from Innes (3), Kevin Bartlett (4) and Robbie MacLeod (1).

Inverleith maintained their perfect record in the men’s hockey league with a 2-1 win over Edinburgh rivals Grange and now move into second spot in the Subway national league, three points behind leaders Glynhill Kelburne, who beat Cala Edinburgh 9-0.

In the women’s league, the top of the table clash between Tayside rivals Grove Menzieshill and Dundee Wanderers ended with honours even at 2-2.

Holders Inverclyde retained the Scottish cross country relay men’s title defeating West champions Shettleston and East champions Central at Cumbernauld in a repeat of last year’s positions.

Despite running European Under-23 800m silver medallist Lynsey Sharp in their B team, Edinburgh AC turned the tables on East champions Fife to take the women’s title helped by a fine anchor stage from Emily Stewart.

Chris Hoy pulled out of the European Track Championships in the Netherlands yesterday with a chest infection.

The three-time Beijing Olympic gold medallist withdrew after competing in the men’s sprint qualifying in Apeldoorn. “He hasn’t been feeling too well,” said Shane Sutton of British Cycling.

“He has got a chest infection. It’s best to stop now and get ready for [the World Cup in] Kazakhstan [next month].”