GAELIC GAMES:IT WAS as if 2005 and 2006 had never happened. In the historic environs of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Ireland hoisted the Cormac McAnallen Cup and celebrated. Like some terminally ill patient after protracted surgery the International Rules series was pronounced still alive and in recovery.

So many outrages had befallen the blameless hybrid in recent series, primarily viciousness and the inability of Ireland to compete, that it was hard for anyone watching not to feel a sense of relief that the coming together of two of the world's great indigenous sports had survived at least as long as next year's 125th anniversary of the GAA.

As an added bonus Ireland actually won, by four points 57-53, and scooped the series 2-0. Suspicions remained that the Australians, in taking seriously their obligation to keep the series alive, might have lost too much of an edge for their own competitive good.

But the game as a spectacle was much improved and for all the cynicism it was heartening to see the players shake hands with each other afterwards - and Kieran Donaghy, who had put himself about like a wrecking ball during the match, leaving the presentation party in order to mingle with the Australian players and personally pay his respects.

There was the poignant subtext of Seán Cavanagh - his extraordinary year extended by a fortnight here and even his awesome achievements enhanced by performance on the field and his courteous effervescence off it - receiving the trophy named in honour of his late team-mate Cormac McAnallen.

There remain shadows and queries. Has the reviewed rule book emasculated the game to an extent that it may not enthral the public to quite the same extent? Certainly the aggregate attendance at this year's series was the lowest that's been recorded in Australia since the series was revived in 1998. For last night's exciting and well contested second Test, just 42,823 turned up.

A crowd of twice that size would still leave the MCG looking not especially full, as the magnificent and iconic stadium now has a capacity of 110,000 and Australia coach Mick Malthouse expressed disappointment at the size of the crowd. But the series has survived its first rehabilitative steps.

"It probably hasn't really hit me yet but obviously any time I go out to play any sort of football match I think of Cormac," said Cavanagh. "He was one of my heroes - he was my friend and a hero at the same time. Whenever you're getting cards before you travel out here from his family and getting all the best wishes within the Eglish club saying 'do it for Cormac', it's maybe creating a wee bit of pressure on me and it did get a bit emotional."

Adding an ironic context to all of this is the implacable opposition that Cavanagh's Tyrone manager Mickey Harte maintains towards the international game.

"I'm looking forward to meeting Mickey now," said Cavanagh. "To be honest I would challenge anyone to say that International Rules is a sport of thuggery because that's what was said before we came out here. Mickey Harte said 'make sure you come home fit and healthy' so as long as nothing happens me in the next six days I should be going home fit and healthy.

"I would say that Mickey had a sneaky eye on the game today and I am sure that he is proud of the four Tyrone lads for taking Cormac's cup home."

Manager Seán Boylan laughed when reminded of the grim scenes two years ago at the post-second Test media conference in Croke Park. "The most important thing to get out of this series," he said "was that it would be played in a proper sporting manner by two great sporting nations. That's what I wanted out of this series. A win was a great bonus and I know a win was probably more important to the players. To get both was fantastic. Now we move on to Ireland next year and welcoming the Australians and I'm sure they will come trying to reclaim the cup.

"I commend the Australians for playing a significant part and I have to say that Mick Malthouse was a significant element and I commend the AFL on his appointment," he added before praising both match officials, Pat McEnaney and Stephen McBurney who both maintained scrupulous order.

Malthouse said: I'm very proud of a group of men who by instinct would be more than vigorous in some tackles. They, the players held back that instinct for the benefit of this game. I'm very proud of a group of men who could curtail the instinct that they have been raised with since they were six or seven years of age."

"I would be loath to think that we'd go across there (Ireland next year) and because we lost two games of football we have to resort to something that's outside the rules. You're not going to win anyway so stick with the rules and give yourself a chance."

One querulous note was struck when it was suggested that the GAA and AFL should now try and re-engage with the series as an annual event rather than as a two-series cycle every three years. Nicky Brennan, pleased as he was at Ireland's re-emergence, wasn't for retreading old ground.

"I don't think so. I think we have many other constituencies to satisfy - both the GAA and the AFL. We explained that the two-year cycle is a chance for the management teams and a set of mentors and players to work together over a two-year period.

We have other matters to fit in, in the third year so I don't believe that will be the case."