A JUBILANT Ireland will head home with the Cormac McAnallen trophy safely stored away, after cruising to a 21-point victory in game two of the International Rules Series against Australia on the Gold Coast.
Following a record 44-point defeat in game one at Etihad Stadium, the Australians were more competitive, but were still well below the level displayed by the tourists in the 1.13.5 (50) to 0.7.8 (29) loss.
Retired Sydney Swan Tadhg Kennelly was named Ireland's best player for the series, and Geelong's James Kelly won the Jim Stynes Medal for being Australia's most valuable.
In an at times spiteful affair before 12,545 fans at Metricon Stadium, six players were yellow carded and spent 10 minutes on the sideline - three from each side.
Apart from an early seven-point deficit, the Irish dictated terms as they claimed the series for only the third time in the past eight match-ups dating back to 2002.
Steven McDonnell and Kieran Donaghy were dangerous up forward and Colm Begley had 22 disposals for the visitors, who again dominated through the middle of the ground.
Kelly led Australia with 32 possessions, James Frawley was steady in defence and Matt Suckling improved in goal, but the home side produced just six points after half-time as it registered the lowest score in the history of the series.
The Australians made a far more purposeful start than in game one, building an 8-1 lead midway through the opening term.
Mitch Robinson was damaging up forward, while new Swan Tommy Walsh and Kennelly, two of Ireland's best players in the first game, were being well held by Joel Patfull and Ben McGlynn respectively.
As promised durng the week, the home side adopted a more physical approach, with spot fires regularly breaking out in the first quarter.
Robinson was regularly involved, while Australian captain Brad Green wrestled with Irish counterpart Stephen Cluxton as the hosts tried to get on top in the aggression stakes.
Australia's intensity waned, however, and Ireland's superior kicking skills allowed it to fight back into the contest.
Consecutive McDonnell overs [three pointers] late in the term gave his side a four-point lead at the first break.
Ireland maintained its momentum in the second quarter, with McDonnell again prominent, as the lead stretched to 12 points.
The towering figure of Zac Smith had an impact, kicking three straight overs to keep Australia in the contest, but a neat step and goal [six pointer] from Leighton Glynn kept the visitors in control.
One of Smith's overs came courtesy of a yellow card to Michael Murphy, who received 10 minutes on the sideline for rough conduct, but it had little affect on the Irish side.
A Kennelly over after the siren gave Ireland an 11-point lead, 1.8.4 (34) to 0.6.5 (23), at the main break.
Tempers frayed in the third term as five players received yellow cards, including Angus Monfries, Mark Nicoski and Robbie Gray for Australia, and the home side managed just one behind.
The final quarter was then a procession as Ireland ran out deserving victors, winning the series on aggregate by a whopping 65 points.
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
Thanks to AFL Website for the footage and Information on game.
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Ireland - AFL International Cup Champions 2011by steina191,681 views
up the irish
niallmulhern 3 months ago