World Footy News

Australia has won the two Test International Rules series against Ireland after a 55-52 victory in the second Test at Croke Park Dublin before a 61,000 crowd.

After an attacking start from the Irish, scoring the first 4 points, the second Test for the Cormack Cormac McAnallen Cup looked like a regulation game for the fast, ball controlling and ball using Australian side. Several small and speedy players such as Bryce Gibbs and Eddie Betts of Carlton, all of whom star in the AFL when there is less pressure, and the similar stars in Collingwood’s Dane Swan and St Kilda’s Lee Montagna, and the marking and long kicking for goal of Brad Green, who went on to kick 16 points, were the difference.

However, the Irish drew closer in the third quarter, with an "under" (goal) reducing the difference to 10 points (48-38) at the break.

Then, inspired by the now excited crowd, the Irish played attacking football, and ran to a four point lead (52-48) at 11 minutes into the final quarter, however still behind the Australians by 3 on the aggregate (after the Australian 7 point victory at Limerick).

Mick Malthouse then, perhaps having learned negativity from his AFL Grand Final coaching opponent Ross Lyon, encouraged the Australians to play a defensive possession game. Despite this caution, after they also scored overs and points, they first drew level, and then regained the ascendancy in the last minute. After a 3 point over goal from Brad Green they ran out winners 55-52. A last gasp Irish attack on the net for a six pointer was again saved by Dustin Fletcher.

It was Australia’s first Cup win since 2006 and Dane Swan won the Jim Stynes Medal for Australia's best player in the series. Laois’ Colm Begley was named best for Ireland across the two matches. The final aggregate scoreline in the two Tests was Australia 102, Ireland 92.

Mixed rules always bring something new and this year, with increased opportunity for interchange, the second quarter began with a player count which led to a distance penalty against the Irish; This event as one which the Irish commentator found even more perplexing than Australian captain Adam Goodes surname (they added an extra syllable – Good-ez) .

Australia’s best players included Swan, Brad Green and Bryce Gibbs and the cornerstone of defence, Dustin Fletcher, while amongst Ireland’s best were Canty, McKernan and Coulter. Despite getting the run around from Dane Swan early, St Kilda fans would have liked what they saw from Ireland's Tommy Walsh, who is on their list.

The next series will be played in Australia in October 2011 with a break in 2012 which Mick Malthouse believes is unnecessary as Emma Quayle, who covered the series for the Age, reported on Sunday 31 October - 'No need for 3rd-year break' in Intl Rules

Croke Park, Dublin
Saturday 30 October
Attendance: 61,842

Scores:
Ireland 0.2.3 (9) 0.4.5 (17) 1.8.8 (38) 1.11.13 (52)
Australia 0.4.4 (16) 0.7.7 (28) 0.12.12 (48) 0.14.13 (55)

GOALS (6 points) - Ireland: Kavanagh, Australia: Nil

OVERS (3 points) - Ireland: Coulter 2, M. Murphy 2, Begley, McKernan, McDonnell, B. Murphy, Brogan, Kennelly, Cavanagh, Australia: Green 4, Swan 3, Goodes 2, Banfield 2, Montagna, McVeigh, Betts