O’Keeffe airs players thoughts on referee

Australia 42 Ireland 42 (Australia win 107-100 on aggregate).

THE last thing that jubilant manager Garry Lyon wanted to hear after Australia had deservedly won the Coca-Cola International Rules series in Croke Park yesterday was to hear suggestions of the home team ‘whinging’ about the referee.

Yes, Irish manager John O’Keeffe didn’t hesitate to articulate ‘frustrations’ from his players - saying a number of refereeing calls in the last quarter were ‘critical’ - but, he made a point of emphasising that he was not putting this forward as an excuse for their failure.

The plain fact of the matter was that the Irish team had their chances. “Again, it came down to the fact that we did not get enough goals,’’ O’Keeffe said. “We needed at least one. We were not creating enough chances, but you would have to give credit to their defence and a tremendous goalkeeper.’’

Happily, apart from what O’Keeffe described as ‘one crazy incident’ (where Australian player Brad Scott was red-carded for punching Graham Geraghty), the game was sportingly contested all through, thus guaranteeing a return tour by Ireland next year. Significantly, the tone was set in a pre-match public address by Australian captain Wayne Crawford, linked to the day of mourning back home for the victims of the Bali bombing. “We want both sides to play hard and fair and with aggression and when it’s over we will respect the opposition no matter who wins,’’ he stated.

The only pity was that on a day when a new record attendance was established, the weather was appalling, except that the new playing surface stood up superbly to the two games played. In conditions which tested the resolve of the players as much as their character, the level of self-discipline applied was admirable.

Lyon had every reason to be proud of his players, all the more so in the light of reported criticism in the Australia media, and the fact that were without their star player from the first test, Matthew Pavlich. “They might not be the most polished, but you couldn’t get a group with a bigger heart,’’ he commented, adding that he never doubted their ability, even when facing into the last quarter 19 points behind on the day. “I said to the boys that we had seven points up our sleeve, that we were very much in the game.’’

With John O’Keeffe having earlier made specific reference to problems about the tackle, Lyon responded: “one thing you don’t do from our point of view is whinge or moan about refereeing, whether you win lose or draw. This is a confusing game. There were times when I was absolutely baffled. It can’t be easy to referee a game that’s only played twice a year!’’

Starting with the wind advantage, Ireland led 12-4 at the end of the first quarter after both Dessie Dolan and Cormac McAnallen failed to capitalise on goal openings.

Stephen Cluxton was a good addition in goal, Darragh Ó Sé quickly settled at full-back - where he was to play outstandingly - Seamus Moynihan was heavily involved and Graham Canty did a lot of good work around midfield. Up front, the Irish players found it hard to settle, while Australia made even less headway.

Kieran McGeeney, Trevor Giles, Ciaran McManus and Tadhg Kennelly were all to the forefront in the second quarter, which saw Cluxton make a good save. With veteran Craig Bradley prominent, Australia benefited from the wind to be level by the 15th minute and lead 18-17 at half-time.

Ireland produced their best football over the course of the third quarter, boosted by an early goal from Kennelly (now at full-forward). Again Canty was prominent, except for his distribution at times, Padraig Joyce was seen to better effect, along with Dessie Dolan - while Darragh Ó Sé, Moynihan and McGeeney continued to impress.

Facing into the final quarter with a 19 points deficit, (37/18), the highly motivated Australians made rapid progress. A Luke Darcy goal after five minutes was hugely beneficial, psychologically and even though the Irish defended bravely, with Anthony Lynch at his best, progress was minimal at the other hand because of the strength of the Australians in the tackle.

After giving away a present of a three-pointer, Darragh Ó Sé came to Ireland’s rescue when he took a ball off the line seven minutes from the end, but vastly improved play from the visitors brought them to within a point before Eamonn O’Hara lifted Irish spirits with a three-pointer. In the next five minutes, poor finishing proved costly and after Evan Kelly was narrowly wide, the Australians finished strongly, drawing level after the hooter sounded.

Scorers: Australia - N. Brown 16; C. Johnson and L. Darcy 6 each; C. Judd 4, J.Francou, R. Murphy and S. Milne 3 each; A. Yze 1.

Ireland: D. Dolan and C. McAnallen 7 each; E. O’Hara 6; G. Geraghty 5; C. McManus and P. Joyce 4 each; T.Kennelly and D.Savage 3 each; T.Giles 2, B.J. O’Sullivan 1.

AUSTRALIA: A. Kellaway; C. Johnson, B. Scott, C. Judd; A. Simpson, J. Francou, S. Crawford (capt.); A. Yze, N. Brown; R. Murphy, C. Bradley, M. Bickley; M. Scarlett, C. Bruce, S. Milne. Inrter-change: B. Montgomery, D.Kerr, J. Clement, T. Edwards, W. Tredera, C.Cornes, L. Darcy, A. Lekkas.

IRELAND: S. Cluxton; P. Christie, D. Ó Sé, A. Lynch; C. McAnallen, S. Moynihan (capt.), K. McGeeney; T. Giles, G. Canty; D. Dolan, T. Kennelly, B.J. O’Sullivan; S. Joyce, C. McManus, G. Geraghty. Inter-change: R. Cosgrove, J. Bergin, E. Kelly, E. O’Hara, D. Meehan, C. Holmes, D. Savage, T. Ó Sé.

Referees: B.White (Ireland) and S. McLaren (Australia).

Attendance: 71,552 (new record).