GAELIC GAMES: After the one-way traffic of the previous match, Ireland and Australia had a far more competitive tilt in yesterday's International Rules second Test at Croke Park.

But the home side still won 55-41 to clinch the Cormac McAnallen Cup. As part of the more upbeat circumstances the weather held off and a good crowd of 60,515 arrived to see Ireland claim their first series win in three years.

For those interested in rubber-necking there was even an old-style scatter before the match began. A premeditated attack to shake the Irish and their 36-point lead from last week? Australia coach Garry Lyon has always loved probing questions about his teams' physical agenda.

"Did I say 'go out and punch Ireland before the bounce'?" he snapped. "Is that what you're asking me? The answer is no. I was walking up the stairs and turned around and it was off. As is generally the case the focus comes on us when there's a dust-up."

The threat of physical danger wasn't confined to the human species. A dog took to the field at the start and was so studiously ignored by the match officials it might have been a new provision of the hybrid game. Not one of the many stewards who would later purposefully descend on two semi-naked enthusiasts invading the pitch stirred themselves to remove the four-legged intruder until the eighth minute.

As someone who had received a death threat last week, Australian captain James Hird could have been forgiven for feeling alarmed when - for all he knew - the Hound of Doom came into sight. But for most of the intrusion he was in the sin bin, with Ireland's Joe Bergin. Hird was less traumatised than incredulous.

"A dog on the ground in an international game," he mused. "I suppose he got a couple of touches - more than some of the guys out there."

He also responded to news from home there had been some media attacks on the whole international project. "Australian Rules is as big as it's going to get in Australia and the only way to get bigger is to play this in Ireland and maybe elsewhere. I can't understand why anyone would want to bag it."

Ireland's manager Pete McGrath reflected on what had been a very happy experience, culminating in becoming Ireland's first successful debut manager since Colm O'Rourke when the internationals resumed in 1998 - also the last time Ireland won a home series. "It's a very satisfying thing for everyone involved. I've a great management team with me and an absolutely superb bunch of players, not only in their ability as players but in their willingness to listen.

"We weren't at our best in the first two quarters and I think subconsciously, we didn't go into this game with the same intent as we did last week. It was only at half-time when we realised we were facing a crisis that you saw the best of the Irish team."

Lyon said he "was proud of the effort" from his team and the more competitive account they had given of themselves.

The Jim Stynes medal for the best Australian player of the series went to Nathan Brown, who totalled 38 points over the two Tests. The equivalent Irish award went to Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton.