Two-goal Roddy MacDonald described Scotland's display as the best in years as they drew first blood in the Marine Harvest Shinty/Hurling series.
The 23-14 victory over Ireland came in Ronald Ross' first match in charge and the Scots will hope to finish the job in Newry on Saturday.
Ross had made it his priority to get MacDonald back in a dark blue jersey, after a two-year absence, and the Kyles Athletic striker claimed two of the Scots' three-point goals at Bught Park, Inverness.
It is four years since the Scots beat their hurling counterparts from over the Irish Sea. "It's good to score at any time but two goals in my first game back, I am pretty pleased with that," MacDonald said. "I think we caused Ireland a lot of problems and that is the best I have seen from us for a long while. We went out to play shinty on the ground, get it into wide areas and score goals, and we delivered.
"Ireland had quite a few new caps but they are still a very good side. Next week will be even harder but we will be looking to do the same again."
However, not even MacDonald could match fellow forward Kevin Bartlett. Playing in his fourth senior series, this was Bartlett's first win and his maiden man-of-the-match award as he scored 16 of his side's points, including the third goal in 68 minutes.
"We had a lot of top performers," said manager Ross. "Stuart MacDonald made some outstanding saves. One, in particular, was unbelievable, with the sun in his eyes. We know Ireland will come at us next week but we've added a bit of spice to the fixture because Ireland were running away with it."
Scotland's point scorers were Bartlett (16), MacDonald (6) and Paul MacArthur (1). Ireland had two three-point goals. Their point scorers were Conor Lehane (5), Patrick Maher (3), Paul Divilly (1), Darragh O'Connell (1) and Patrick Horgan (4).
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