Awesome Aussies reap full reward

Australia 2-27-7 (100) Ireland 3-11-13 (64)

Some dazzling play produced the most comprehensive and skilful Australian performance in the 21-year history of the International Rules Series.

Expecting a backlash from the home side after a 50-point humilation last year, the Cormac McAnallen Cup holders saw their weak challenge obliterated by the Australians' power, pace and unexpected mastery of the round ball.

McGrath had warned that his players would need to be 'very active' in tracking the Australians and 'make sure' they did not allow them run with the ball. On both counts his team failed badly.

In real terms Australia matched Ireland's winning margin of 36 points in the first test last year. And their scoring - which featured a remarkable 27 three-pointers, 16 more than Ireland - produced the biggest total since Ireland won 80-76 in Croke Park in 1984. McGrath's reaction immediately afterwards was one of shock.

"The performance of the Australians was awesome - their power, their ability to kick, was probably beyond what we expected. We knew they had selected a mobile, pacy squad for the series and we thought we had strategies in place to combat that. But, we simply could not match it,'' he commented.

"In virtually every area of the field, for long, long periods of the game, we were secondary players!''.

Admitting that the team which toured last year hadn't held on to the ball long enough - "we bombed it away" - Australian captain Andrew McLeod explained that the strategy was to 'run' it this time 'and use their legs: "That was probably our biggest weapon. We played to the game plan and did it pretty well. We put a lot of time into practising with the ball with Jim and Brian Stynes. We were quite comfortable that we'd kick the ball and goals like we did."

Even though Ireland were competitive on the scoreboard up to about 15 minutes after the start, in general play there were obvious difficulties. The main one was getting quality ball into their forwards but as Australia gained control steadily, other problems were starting to manifest themselves, a critical one being the lack of influence at midfield, where Ciaran McDonald made no impact and Sean Cavanagh didn't blossom until later on.

Quite simply, the speed and movement of the Australians was overpowering and Irish weaknesses were being exposed all over the field. In essence, the home side's expert use of the ball made it an unequal contest, because the Irish were conceding so much in the area of the tackle, the mark and to the athleticism of the home side.

Down's Benny Coulter was one of the few to come away with his reputation enhanced because apart from the fact that he finished with 18 points, he was much more comfortable on the ball than most. The scorer of the first of the team's goals 12 minutes into the third quarter, he was denied one much earlier by a crucial tackle.

It was 25-15 at the end of the first quarter, and by half-time the Australians had exceeded their finishing total of 41 points in each of the 2004 tests. Yet their lead of 46-29 could have been lower had Brian McGuigan managed to goal before being taken down by a great tackle from midfield star Chris Newman. Over the course of the third quarter, the home side turned the screw with a sweetly-taken Chris Johnson penalty, which came after Coulter's goal. Awarded for a holding offence by Anthony Lynch, it was harmless compared to some of the most excessive of the Australian tackling, the worst of which saw Tom Kelly forced off and the aggressor yellow-carded. Indeed Australian referee Matthew James didn't endear himself to the Irish supporters with some of his decisions.

Colm Cooper had been introduced to the attack seven minutes into the second quarter but saw very little ball. Captain Padraic Joyce made no real contribution and while Ronan Clarke impressed with some terrific kicking, at other times his shooting was wayward.

Cavanagh, with some support from Eoin Brosnan, was at his best over the last quarter, which Ireland started 76-36 behind, and Stephen O'Neill had a significant influence in creating some good openings. But, long before the finish it was merely a question of Australia's winning margin.

For their highly motivated players, it was a night to remember.

Scorers: Australia - A. Lovett 15, S. Grant and N. Davis 10 each, C. Johnson and L. Hodge 9 each, R. O'Keeffe 8, A. Davey 7, D. Giansiracusa and L. Gilbee 6 each, N. Eagleton, M. Lappin, T. Croad, B. Harvey, A. Buchanan and C. Newman 3 each; R. Robertson 2. Ireland: B. Coulter 18, S. Cavanagh 13,R. Clarke and S. O'Neill 11 each, C. McDonald 4, M. Forde 3, O. Brosnan 2, P. Joyce and C. Cooper 1 each.

AUSTRALIA: D. Fletcher; L.Gilbee, D. Milburn, D. Morris; A. McLeod (capt.), B. Deledio, D. Giansiracusa; L. Hodge, C. Newman; N. Davis, C. Johnson, M. Lappin; A. Davey, N. Eagleton, B. Harvey. Inter-change: R. O'Keeffe, S. Grant, K. Bradley, H. Black, T. Croad, A. Buchanan, R. Robertson, A. Lovett.

IRELAND: M. McVeigh (Down); S. Og O hAilpin (Cork), G. Canty (do), T. O Se (Kerry); C. McManus (Offaly), T. Kelly (Laois), B. Cullen (Dublin); C. McDonald (Mayo), S. Cavanagh (Tyrone); B. Dooher (do), B. Coulter (Down), S. O'Neill (Tyrone); O. Mulligan (do), P. Joyce (Galway, capt.), M. Forde (Wexford). Inter-change: E. Brosnan (Kerry), R. Clarke (Armagh), C. Cooper (Kerry), D. Heaney (Mayo), S.M. Lockhart (Derry), A. Lynch (Cork), B. McGuigan (Tyrone), M. Meehan (Galway).

Referees: M. James (Australia) and D. Coldrick (Meath).

Attendance: 39,098.