Australia 53
Ireland 59
Ireland’s somewhat bizarre victory over Australia in today’s opening test will undoubtedly inspire Brian McEniff’s men onto better things. Nevertheless, based on many aspects of today’s game, challenging times lie ahead in their quest to win back the International Rules title.
Having won the third and fourth quarters - so often the undoing of Irish sides - with admirable efficiency, Ireland must now remain focused on the task in hand. Heading to Adelaide for next week’s decider with a mere six point advantage should not signal the start of premature celebrations.
The Australians appear more at ease with the hybrid game than they did one year ago and based on their first half performance can feel reasonably confident of turning the tables next Friday.
Not to take anything away from a gutsy Irish performance, but Ireland were fortunate that the Australians had not pummelled them into submission by half-time. Garry Lyon’s side dominated possession in the opening two quarters but, to Ireland’s relief, were let down too often by wayward shooting.
The first quarter was an oddly subdued affair which Ireland, after a slow start, led 14-10 at the hooter. Brendan Devenney, scorer of 20 points in the midweek warm-up match against the Australian Institute of Sport selection, was soon on the mark with a brace of three pointer ‘overs’.
From there, however, Ireland were sent reeling as the Australians attacked in waves. Slack marking and poor use of an admittedly greasy football gifted the home side unnecessary possession. Simon Black, Joel Bowden and Brent Harvey rattled over the scores in a period that yielded 17 unanswered points. Despite their dominance Australia only led by six points at the break on a scoreline of 28-22. It should have been more.
Ireland, and particularly Graham Geraghty, started the third quarter with aplomb, kicking two smart overs in quick succession. But moments later Australia, whose concentration had appeared to be wavering, retaliated in merciless fashion.
Craig Bradley - the 37-year-old captain who excelled in defence - found the unmarked Blake Caracella with a searching ball up field. Ireland’s defensive frailties were, once again, on open display and Caracella had little difficulty in finding the net for six points.
But Ireland didn’t drop their heads and pushed on in search of more scores. Dermot Earley and Johnny Crowley found their range before a slack pass from Australian ‘keeper Simon Goodwin gifted Tohill the room to scramble the ball over the line for six points. Darragh O’Se scored a ‘behind’ (one point) to level the game going into the final quarter.
Despite their, at times, anonymous performances in the opening periods, Seamus Moynihan, Graham Geraghty, Darren Fay, Anthony Tohill and Johnny Crowley upped their game to heroic levels in the closing 20 minutes.
The final quarter had always been a make or break period for Ireland in previous series, struggling to contain their fitter, more free-flowing professional rivals. But this time around, self-destruct they did not.
Three minutes into the last quarter and Armagh’s Kieran McGeeney went surging up the right flank. With no options available McGeeney looked up and spotted Australian ‘keeper Simon Goodwin marginally off his line. From 40 yards McGeeney let rip. Goodwin misjudged the flight of the ball and, despite getting a hand to it, could do little more to prevent another fortunate six points for Brian McEniff’s side.
Ireland were now 13 points to the good. Australian did fight back with scores from Bowden, Matthew Lloyd and a behind from Caracella. With a seven point advantage Ireland withheld all the Aussies could hurl at them.
There was some confusion on the hooter when, as Irish players were celebrating, Australia recorded another single pointer. However, that score could not dampen Irish spirits as they celebrated a dogged victory in the Australians’ own back yard.