Australia 45 Ireland 48
(Australia win series 101-94)
Despite recording a three point win in today's second and decisive International Rules test, the Ireland team were left deflated after allowing the series slip through their hands as Australia kicked on in the closing stages to record a seven point aggregate victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground - their first ever series victory on home soil.
Ireland turned in a significantly improved performance from that in Perth last week and outplayed and outthought their hosts for the majority of the game. But a lapse in concentration and general fatigue late on gifted the Australians the series on a day that both sides excelled despite the horrendous conditions underfoot.
Heavy rain and a stiff breeze posed a conundrum but it was the Irish that adjusted quickest and settled early with two goals - courtesy of Steven McDonnell and Beano McDonald - in a rip roaring opening quarter for the visitors. But despite holding strong in all areas of play, with McDonnell, captain Graham Canty, Ciaran McManus and Odhran O'Dwyer impressing, Ireland's challenge eventually buckled in the final quarter as the Australians finished with a flourish.
Quick out of the blocks, John O'Keeffe's side displayed tremendous work ethic in opening periods with both defence and attack linking up with deadly effect. Ireland led by 13-1 with just 10 minutes gone, due mainly to McDonnell's goal. He outfielded two Australian defenders and goalkeeper Glen Jakovich to get the faintest of touches on Padraig Joyce's dropping sideline ball.
The goal spurred Ireland on and they punished their opponents again just two minutes later. An attack on the left flank put Coulter through and with a pin-point soccer style cross to the back post, he picked out Laois star Beano McDonald who collected, turned inside his marker and fired home with the outside of his boot for another six pointer.
In between those two scores, Australia had a goal of their own disallowed as Irish 'keeper Enda Murphy was adjudged to be fouled on his goalline as Shane Crawford's effort nipped in under the posts. O'Donnell put away another over in the closing minutes and Ireland finished the quarter 22-4 ahead.
Australia's response was swift, however, as their passing, shooting and general support play improved in the second quarter with Brent Harvey, Rohan Smith and Matthew Pavlich all finding their range with 'overs'. But the Irish steadily worked their way back, adjusting to the rhythm of the game, and forged up the pitch with clever use of the hand pass.
From one such move, Ireland could and should have bagged their third goal. Joe Higgins, the nippy Laois livewire, was put through on goal but was brought to ground as he wound up to shoot on goal. Brett Kirk's illegal trip resulted in no more than a free but Joyce made no mistake from just outside the penalty area. Ireland maintained their lead and led 30-15 at half-time.
Barry Hall, the 6ft 6' Aussie target man so effective in the Perth test, was brilliantly kept under wraps by both Graham Canty and to a lesser extent Anthony Lynch, so much so that Australian boss Garry Lyon pulled the Sydney man further out field. Pavlich, in turn, moved into full forward, and his pace proved unsettling to the Irish backs.
The ensuing disruption in defence led to moments of indiscipline and one such incident, early in the third quarter, proved a turning point. An off-the-ball altercation, inside the penalty area, between Canty and an Australian attacker prompted the home referee to award a penalty to the hosts. Trailing by 14 points at the time, Harvey calmly booted home a six pointer to reignite the Aussie challenge. At the other end, McDonnell remained prolific and his over late in the period saw Ireland hold out with a 44-27 lead entering the final quarter.
Ireland had looked on course to protect their seven point aggregate lead taking to the field as their superb blanket defence and a marked improvement in front of goal stood them in good stead for 60 minutes. But the visitors soon folded as Australia danced their way through the half-hearted tackles while also capitalising time and again on sloppy Irish passing.
Nathan Brown, relatively quiet for the duration, left his contribution, and a telling one at that, until the dying minutes as he blasted three 'overs' in a five minute spell to thwart Ireland and secure Australia their first ever series win on home soil.