Padraig Joyce holds aloft the Cormac McAnallen Trophy

The Aussies produced a much-improved showing from their first Test display but they had no answer when Ireland took control in the third quarter.

Irish captain Padraig Joyce scored the only goal of the game in that period.

Scuffles broke out even before the first whistle but despite the Aussies' aggression, Irish skill won the day.

The Australians were clearly fired-up for the game after the severe criticism they took following their 77-41 defeat in last weekend's first Test.

Punches were thrown before the start and Joe Bergin and James Hurd were sinbinned in the opening minute after more fisticuffs.

A dog then entered the field and went on to entertain the crowd for almost 10 minutes.

The terrier showed a desire to get right to the thick of the action and in making contact with the ball on several occasions showed a ball control which put some of the players to shame.

Nathan Brown struck over three overs for the Aussies in the opening quarter but three-pointers from Sean Cavanagh and Tadgh Kennelly helped Ireland draw level at 12-12 at the first interval.

By that stage, Ciaran McDonald and Max Hudghton were also taking an enforced 15 minutes time-out after some more uncompromising action.

Ciaran McDonald and Max Hudghton were both sinbinned

Australia took a measure of control early in the second quarter with Brown, Ossie Jones, Nick Riewoldt and Craig Bolton all hitting three-point overs in quick succession.

Mattie Forde and Paul Galvin then hit overs to cut Australia's lead to three but the second quarter ended in controversy with the visitors feeling they had been denied a blatant penalty.

Certainly, Ciaran McManus appeared to have held on illegally to the ball near his own goals but Cork referee Michael Collins ruled otherwise - much to the Australian team's annoyance.

After the half-time team talk from manager Pete McGrath, Ireland's performance improved considerably in the third quarter.

Benny Coulter quickly brought the sides level and further overs by Dessie Dolan and Joyce then put Ireland six points ahead.

Joyce's goal was something of a hammer blow for the Australians although the outstanding Brown managed to tag on two further overs late in the third period.

Play became scrappy in the final quarter with both teams appearing to tire.

Eoin Brosnan and Sean Cavanagh missed goal chances for Ireland but fittingly captain Joyce completed the scoring which rounded off Ireland's aggregate 132-82 aggregate win.

Australia scorers
Overs: Ball, Brown (7), Jones (2), Riewoldt (2), Bolton.
Behinds: Dal Santo, Corey

Ireland: Stephen Cluxton; Sean Martin Lockhart, Graham Canty, Sean Og O'hAilpin; Ciaran McManus, Tom Kelly, Joe Bergin; Ciaran McDonald, Sean Cavanagh; Padraic Joyce, Benny Coulter, Tadgh Kennelly; Paul Galvin, Brian Cullen, Dessie Dolan.
Interchange players: Brian McGuigan, Mattie Forde, Eoin Brosnan, David Heaney, James Nallen, Declan Browne, Martin McGrath, Alan Brogan.