Irish taught harsh lesson by slick Aussies

Australia 3-10-8 (56) Ireland 1-10-10 (46)

First of all, John O’Keeffe’s squad was seriously undermined by the unavailability of at least half a dozen key players with a proven track record in this code.

Secondly, the combination of some poor passing and sloppy finishing and, on the Australian side, a greater level of consistency over three of the four quarters which was hugely influenced by the power of big full-forward Barry Hall, meant the outcome was inevitable.