We really lifted our game in the second half and started to play our Irish football

Brian McEniff

Tohill, Devenney and McAnallen celebrate

The Irish had only kept in touch in the first two periods thanks to opportunist goals from Anthony Tohill and Graham Geraghty.

But the Irish won the third period 24-11 and never looked like relinquishing their advantage after that.

The Irish put even more daylight between the teams in the closing 20 minutes.

The home side became increasingly frustrated in the closing stages.

Inevitably there were a couple of dust-ups one of which saw Kerryman Johnny Crowley and Australia's Brenton Sanderson sin-binned.

Ireland made a bright start and helped by Tohill's eighth minute goal, forged an early 16-6 lead.

Tohill set up the goal himself by winning possession and then receiving an unselfish pass from Brendan Devenney before firing into an empty net from close-range.

But despite Ireland's early advantage, the Australians looked dangerous throughout the first quarter.

Tempers flared in the closing stages

By the end of the opening period, Ireland's lead had been trimmed to 16-15.

The home team could easily have been ahead as visiting goalkeeper Cormac Sullivan had produced one great stop.

Australia produced their best football of the match in the second quarter.

Graham Geraghty's 26th minute goal was absolutely vital to keeping in the Irish in touch with the Australians bossing the period for the most part.

The Meathman's goal came completely out of the blue with him intercepting an attempted Australian pass and then soccer-style rounding Steve Goodwin before finding the net.

At that stage Ireland were 25-18 ahead but Australia then hit four of the next six scores to charge into a two-point advantage.

These included Matthew Lloyd's 29th minute goal with his snapshot from all of 25 yards seeming to catch Irish goalkeeper Cormac Sullivan by surprise.

The Aussies were winning most of the break ball at that stage and their superior upper-body strength seemed to be telling.

But Tadgh Kennelly's direct running at the Australian defence turned the match in the third quarter.

The Australia-based Kerryman knocked over successive three-pointers in the 43rd and 46th minutes and the scores seemed to inspire the visitors.

Brian McEniff: Vindicated by win

Replacement John Crowley was then presented with a goal chance in the 48th minute but wisely elected to settle for an over.

Crowley hammered over another three-pointer two minutes later and within seconds, Geraghty's effort meant Ireland were now 12 points clear.

Sean Martin Lockhart had to leave the field in the third quarter after a challenge which resulted in Blake Caracella being sin-binned.

But the Irish were not rattled and two Padraig Joyce overs helped maintain the 12-point advantage at the end of the penultimate period.

Australia needed to respond quickly in the third period but instead Kennelly immediately added to the Irish lead with another three-pointer.

Celebrated heartily

Almost in exhibition-mode, the Irish hit a further series of overs in the closing minutes but the most lively aspect of the final quarter was a couple of dust-ups.

There were lacklustre affairs compared to the outright violence which has marred the International Rules series in the past.

Neverthless, Crowley and Sanderson were sin-binned after the 73rd minute skirmish.

The Irish celebrated heartily at the finish and they can enjoy their remaining five days of relaxation in Australia after this impressive series success.