Ireland 40 (1-8-10) Australia 47 (0-14-5):Ireland crashed to a first Test defeat at Limerick's Gaelic Grounds tonight. In ways the home side was fortunate to be within seven points, having been out-classed for much of the evening but a productive fight back in the last 10 minutes cut 11 points off an 18-point deficit to keep alive some ambitions for next week's second International Rules Test in Croke Park.
Australia were much superior in creating attacking opportunities and despite the unfamiliarity with the round ball, they showed greater assurance in taking their chances.
Captain Adam Goodes was particularly impressive taking a couple of spectacular catches and kicking four overs for 12 points. Australia led at every break, ending the first quarter 12-9 ahead and going in at half-time 21-16 up.
The traditional moving quarter just after half-time lived up to its name with the visitors doubling their lead to 32-22.
At one stage in the final quarter Ireland trailed 47-29 but a storming goal by Dublin’s Bernard Brogan reduced the deficit by six and, holding their opponents scoreless, Ireland pressed on with Down’s Kevin McKernan adding an over and captain Steven McDonnell and Tommy Walsh adding behinds.
Australia ran the ball with conviction and took a series of attacking marks throughout the match. On a more positive note for the holders, Ireland’s defence put up a fair rearguard action with Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton doing well to direct operations from the back and farther afield Laois’s Colm Begley showing well.
In front of the 30,117 crowd, Australia had many eye-catching performers. Dane Swan got on a great deal of ball and Todd Banfield, Eddie Betts and especially Leigh Montagna showed penetrating accuracy in their shooting.
Despite the defeat Ireland will the happier of the two sides as they look to overturn a seven point deficit in the second and final Test at Croke Park next Saturday.
DETAILS
IRELAND: 1. S Cluxton (Dublin); 16. C McKeever (Armagh), 10. F Hanley (Galway), 7. B Donaghy (Armagh); 14. S McDermott (Roscommon), 4. G Canty (Cork), 20. K Reilly (Meath); 2. C Begley (Laois), 13. T Kennelly (Kerry and Sydney Swans); 8. L Glynn (Wicklow), 15. S McDonnell (Armagh) [capt.], 5. S Cavanagh; 3. B Brogan (Dublin), 22. T Walsh (Kerry and St Kilda), 6. M Clarke (Down).
Interchange:9. D Goulding (Cork), 11. J Kavanagh (Kildare), 12. P Keenan (Louth), 18. B Murphy (Carlow), 19. M Murphy (Donegal), 23. E Bolton (Kildare), 29. N McNamee (Offaly).
Scorers:Brogan 9 (1-1-0), McDonnell 8 (0-2-2), Cavanagh 7 (0-1-4), Walsh 4 (0-1-1), Goulding 3 (0-1-0), Glynn 3 (0-1-0), McKernan 3 (0-1-0), Kennelly 1 (0-0-1), Reilly 1 (0-0-1), Clarke 1 (0-0-1).
AUSTRALIA: D Fletcher (Essendon); 41. P Duffield (Fremantle), 7. J Frawley (Melbourne), 6. K Simpson; 2. Bryce Gibbs (Carlton), 9. G Ibbotson (Fremantle), 12. T Goldsack (Collingwood); 5. M Boyd (Western Bulldogs), 36. D Swan (Collingwood); 42. L Pickens (Carlton), 37. A Goodes (Sydney Swans) [capt.], 3. J McVeigh (Sydney Swans); 19. E Betts (Carlton), 8. J Riewoldt (Richmond), 18. B Green (Melbourne).
Interchange:1. T Varcoe (Geelong), 4. D Cross (Western Bulldogs), 11. L Montagna (St Kilda), 15. K Jack (Sydney Swans), 17. T Banfield (Brisbane Lions), 32. P Dangerfield (Adelaide Crows) 40. D Wojcinski (Geelong).
Scorers:Goodes 12 (0-4-0), Banfield 6 (0-2-0), Montagna 6 (0-2-0), Cross 6 (0-2-0), Betts 6 (0-2-0), Frawley 3 (0-1-0), Dangerfield 3 (0-1-0), Boyd 2 (0-0-2), Simpson 2 (0-0-2), Jack 1 (0-0-1).
Referees:D Coldrick (GAA) and B Rosebury (AFL).
Attendance:30,117