World Footy News

Ireland won the football, Australia narrowly won the niggle, but depite plenty of the latter there were no real fireworks.

After a fairly listless performance by Australia in the first International Rules test before a small crowd in Melbourne the main talking points going into the second match were whether the Aussies would lift their intensity in general but including at the man, whether they could regain some respect, whether anyone would turn up to watch, and whether the series has a future.

Certainly the intensity was there, with a match under their belts helping the Australians, many of whom were returning from holidays for the series.  Their skills with the round ball were improved, even managing to take a few good marks, although as always none of the high flying sort seen in the AFL.

For Ireland, who were reportedly banned by management from visiting the Gold Coast's beaches, it was all about winning game two to sweep the series, not just winning on aggregate.

Australia bounced out well on the scoreboard and both sides were looking to niggle.  It was much the same as previous series in which what an Aussie considers okay crosses the line for the Irish and vice versa.  But despite Australia playing better than last week it was still Ireland who pulled away to lead at the quarter break.

McDonnell up forward continued his career long consistency, hitting the scoreboard over and over as he has done in so many IR series.  For Australia there was no one as reliable although Gold Coast youngster Zac Smith did his part scoring several overs (3 pointers).

At half time it was Ireland 1.8.4 (34) to Australia 0.6.5 (22).

The third quarter saw Australia start to get on top in general field play but fail to put it on the scoreboard.  The niggle increased and the umpires were paying frees for every infraction and some that weren't there either.  Inevitably yellow cards (10 min send offs) began to be dished out to both sides, and then things came to a head when Callan Ward jumped into a contest to spoil.  Although he left the ground in reasonable time he arrived late and his knee struck McMahon in the back.  No doubt some will see this differently but it appeared fairly innocuous to this author, especially the replay showing the side angle, but the Irish player stayed down and a melee began.  Note that the Irish player was presumably injured but these things do happen in contact sport.  Channel 10 commentator Stephen Quartermain became somewhat hysterical saying how dangerous it was and calling into question the point of the series.  As it turns out the player was fine.

The final quarter lacked any sting as the Australians continued to butcher the ball despite their best endeavours.  Although this author has generally been supportive of the IR concept, it was a shame to see quality footballers fumbling and bumbling with a ball foreign to them.  The number of marks to Ireland was roughly double what Australia took, showing that the supposed Australian advantage actually often favours Ireland due to superior kicking and the totally different flight through the air compared with an Aussie Rules ball.

Ireland again showed that the vaunted fitness advantage of the professionals is only minor at best and that the Gaelic footballers are both elite athletes and far too classy with the round ball, holding Australia to its lowest score ever.  A consolation for Australian fans was seeing very much liked Tadhg Kennelly go out of top level sport a winner, although he is a chance to return to Ireland for further GAA battles.

Will the series continue?  There are no plans for 2012 and 2013 is not set in stone.  If it is continue Australia's best players will need to make themselves available to maintain public interest and to have any chance of challenging the dominant Irish.  But given the series will likely be in Ireland in 2013, some AFL stars are indeed likely to return and keep the concept flickering.
 

Ireland           0.3.3    1.8.4    1.10.5  1.13.5 (50)
Australia        0.2.2    0.6.5    0.6.6      0.7.8 (29)

GOALS (6 points)
Ireland: Glynn
Australia: Nil


OVERS (3 points)
Ireland: McDonnell 3, T.Walsh 3, Donaghy 2, M.Murphy 2, Kennelly, Callaghan, McMahon
Australia: Smith 3, Green 2, McGlynn, Robinson

BEST
Ireland: Walsh, Begley, Kennelly, McDonnell
Australia: Kelly, Frawley, Smith, Vince

INJURIES
Ireland: Nil
Australia: Nil

YELLOW CARDS
Ireland: M.Murphy, F.Hanley, McKeever
Australia: Nicoski, Gray, Monfries

Umpires: Chamberlain (Aus), Coldrick (Ire)

Official crowd: 12,545 at Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast