BBC SPORT | N Ireland | Australia pip Ireland

Ireland 58-65 Australia

Australia turned around a massive first-half deficit to defeat Ireland in the opening International Rules test at Croke Park Dublin on Sunday.

Trailing by 19 points at the end of the second quarter, Australia were all over the place as Ireland ruled the roost on their own patch.

But Australia shrugged off their mediocrity from the opening period and absolutely took Ireland apart, particularly in the third quarter.

With the rain tumbling down at the start in front of a 25,000 crowd, it was Ireland who found the feet in the awkward conditions.

While Australia appeared to be slipping and sliding all over the lush turf, Ireland were buzzing around to slowly but surely build up a useful 38-19 half-time advantage.

Ireland were much more comfortable on the ball, and, surprisingly, were out-manouvring their Aussie opponents in the air.

But the game was turned around with by by the Australians when they absolute destroyed Ireland in the third quarter, and in doing so restricting the Irish to a meagre seven points.

Australia's Daniel Kerr and Angelo Lekkas celebrate

Ireland had nudged ahead 21-10 at the end of the first quarter with Padraic Joyce the main points scorer.

But the game turned in that third quarter when Ireland goalkeeper Peter Burke hit a short hit-out to Armagh captain Kieran McGeeney, but he was flattened by Chris Johnson.

McGeeney, thinking that he had made a mark, lost possession and the loose ball was picked up by Matthew Pavlich who rifled the ball into the net.

That inspired Australia, and they soon clawed away at that 19-point deficit and at the end of the third quarter were only two points adrift.

Australia kept up the pressure at the start of the final quarter and took the lead for the first time with two consecutive overs.

The killer punch came midway through the quarter when Daniel Kerr planted home his side's second goal.

But the game was not over just yet when two minutes later Dessie Dolan pushed in a goal for Ireland to 62-55.

But Austraia held on for a narrow seven-point victory.

Ireland squad: Peter Burke (Mayo), Graham Canty (Cork), Anthony Lynch (Cork), Paddy Christie (Dublin), Colin Holmes (Tyrone), Tomas O Se (Kerry), Kieran McGeeney (Armagh), Trevor Giles (Meath), Declan Meehan (Galway), Anthony Rainbow (Kildare), Evan Kelly (Meath), Eamon O'Hara (Sligo), Seamus Moynihan (Kerry), Dara O Se (Kerry), Paul McGrane (Armagh), Cormac McAnallen (Tyrone), Joe Bergin (Galway), Tadhg Kennelly (Sydney Swans), Brendan Jer O'Sullivan (Cork), Nicholas Walsh (Cavan), Dessie Dolan (Westmeath), Derek Savage (Galway), Padraig Joyce (Galway), Ciaran McManus (Offaly), Graham Geraghty (Meath), Ray Cosgrove (Dublin).
Stand-by: Stephen Cluxton (Dublin), James Gill (Mayo), Darren McGee (Dublin), Ronan Clarke (Armagh).

Australian squad:Andrew Kellaway, Cameron Bruce, James Clement, Josh Francou, Brett Montgomery, Robert Murphy, Matthew Pavlich, Matthew Scarlett, Mark Bickley, Craig Bradley, Nathan Brown, Shane Crawford, Tyson Edwards, Chris Johnson, Chris Judd, Daniel Kerr, ASngelo Lekkas, Cameron Long, Adam Simpson, Adem Yze, Chad Comes, Luke Darcy, Stephen Milne, David Neitz, Warren Tredrea.


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