Australians dominate trial match in Cork

Australia made a winning start to their 2010 International Rules tour of Ireland, with a comprehensive 105-12 victory over a Cork Colleges selection under the Pairc Ui Rinn floodlights in Cork tonight.

Seán Óg Ó hAilín may have been listed in the Cork colleges squad, but the three-time All-Star failed to feature in this game.

Earlier this week, after a meeting with manager Denis Walsh, Ó hAilín confirmed that his services are no longer required by Walsh and the Cork senior hurling squad.

Tonight's Cork Colleges side included Vodafone Young Footballer of the Year Aidan Walsh and his fellow Cork senior colleagues Ciaran Sheehan, Colm O'Neill and Ray Carey, but they were totally outclassed by a fit and eager Australian outfit.

The visitors were rampant as they burst quickly out of the blocks. Brad Greene scored two early overs, and an impassive Australia led by 19-1 at the end of the first quarter.

Ireland's lone score in that period came from UCC and Cork player Mark Collins after 11 minutes.

Australia failed to yield in the second quarter, and incredibly led by 54-1 at the interval, with Jack Riewoldt tallying up 13 points during this spell.

The Richmond star netted the only goal of the opening half in the 26th minute, slotting the ball past Cork goalkeeper Ken O'Halloran, with Eddie Betts unlucky not to add a second goal before the break.

Carlton Blues attacker Bryce Gibbs put his name to Australia's second goal, four minutes after the restart, to push his side into a 62-point lead.

The Cork Colleges selection staged a mini rally, helped by an over from Paul Honohan which marked the hosts' first score in 31 mins.

All-Ireland winner Sheehan was the leading light of the third quarter, with O'Neill, Hugh Curran and Andrew O'Brien also adding their names to the scoresheet.

The deficit was cut to 58 points with 24 minutes remaining, but Australia were long since out of sight in terms of the result.

Eddie Betts and captain Adam Goodes were particularly effective in the final quarter as Mick Malthouse's men closed out a facile win.