C of I’s Bruton scores on Irish debut

Cork Church of Ireland’s Jonny Bruton made a big impression on incoming Irish coach Paul Revington by scoring the winner on his international debut as Ireland completed a clean sweep of wins over Scotland in Banbridge earlier today. While the clash – the last of three at Havelock Park this weekend – was meant to be a non-cap game, that was revised at Scotland’s request, with Ireland still happy to field an experimental side. Colin Donaldson, Simon Todd and Bruton were all handed debuts, while fringe players such as Adam Pritchard and Peter Caruth also got a valuable hit-out, and Mark Ruddle returned between the sticks. Bruton’s 54th minute goal secured a 2-1 win over the Scots, with Alan Sothern getting the other when he planted a first-half drag-flick into the bottom corner. William Marshall had replied for the Scots with an angled strike on the half-time hooter. However, the Irish women lost for third successive game against the Scots. They went down 2-1 with Rebecca Merchant hitting a late winner with the aid of a cruel deflection off Cliodhna Sargent’s stick, after Cathy McKean had cancelled out Louise Munn’s opener for the Scots. Elsewhere, UCC moved joint top of the Munster women’s Division One after claiming college bragging rights with a 3-1 win over UL in Limerick on Saturday. Eibhlín O’Donoghue put the Mardyke girls ahead from the penalty spot, only for Jen O’Loughlin to level soon after from a short corner strike. But Julia O’Halloran and Vicky O’Sullivan struck either side of half-time to move College level with Cork Harlequins, though the champions have a superior goal difference.