Deflated Ireland left ‘grabbing the shadows’

AUSTRALIAN coach Kevin Sheedy admitted to some surprise that his team finished with the magical figure of 100 points in the opening test of the Fosters International Rules Series in Perth last evening.

Yet while that exceeded his expectations, his players - already dubbed ‘Sheedy’s Speedies’ in Australia - performed exactly the way he wanted them, maximising their potential and frustrating the Irish side at every turn.

“They worked very hard from day one,” said Sheedy. “We looked at what we felt were the strengths of the Irish team and the very talented players they have and hoped we could play somewhere nearer a better standard.’’