Australia will take a 10-point lead into next Friday's decisive second International Rules Test in Melbourne after claiming a deserved 56-46 win over Ireland in the opening game in Perth.

Australia defeated Ireland in last year's series in Dublin

Spurred by Armagh's Steven McDonnell, the Irish led 25-11 after the opening quarter but the Australians thereafter regrouped decisively to claim a comprehensive success.

By the finish, Irish manager John O'Keeffe must have been relieved that his team remained within striking distance of the dominant home side.

In particular, the visitors had goalkeeper Enda Murphy to thank as he produced a brilliant save in the dying seconds to prevent a fourth Australian goal.

Ireland only managed one six point goal which came early on from Down's Benny Coulter.

The Mourne star's sixth minute goal left Ireland 9-4 ahead but the key to Ireland's first quarter superior was a late five minute burst when two successive three-pointers from McDonnell and a Ciaran McManus effort helped them storm 14 clear.

However, Australia quickly cut into the Irish lead in the second quarter.

Huge forward Barry Hall began to completely dominate Cormac McAnallen as his two three-pointers indicated.

With only Kieran McGeeney and Kevin Hughes notching overs for the Irish in the second quarter, the visitors' lead was reduced to 32-27 by half-time.

Aussie coach Gary Lyon (left) and Barry Hall celebrate the victory

The key period of the match came early in the third quarter when Ireland had to settle for one-pointers on several occasions when three points beckoned.

The miniumum scores still enabled Ireland to lead 40-32 after 52 minutes but then came the key moment of the match when the unfortunate McAnallen deflected a Brad Johnson shot into his own net.

Seconds later, the towering Hall hit a three-pointer to put Australia ahead for the first time since the fifth minute.

Things quickly then deteriorated for the Irish when Chris Johnson was tripped in the Irish area by goalkeeper Murphy and the Aussie stepped up himself, to hammer the penalty home.

The goal helped Australia to a 47-41 lead at the end of the third quarter.

With the Irish visibly tiring, Australia bossed the final quarter.

Captain Shane Crawford easily slotted Australia's third goal after McAnallen had unwisely protested against a decision and allowed his man to drift into acres of space.

McAnallen's frustrations increased when he was mistakenly sin-binned long with Brad Johnson late on when it seemed clear that McGeeney had been the guilty party after punching an Australian player in the stomach.