Sean Boylan praised his side's players after the win in Galway

"We were facing a powerful Australian team but the Irish supporters were super and it is set up for an exciting second test at Croke Park next week."

Captain Kieran McGeeney added that it was "a good sporting game, hard hitting with no quarter asked or given".

"There were some great athletes out there and the atmosphere was great."

"It took us a while to get into it but our physical strength paid off and we finished strongly," said McGeeney.

Australia manager Kevin Sheedy said his team " had been in a good position to win but couldn't hold on".

"Many of our guys still have a lot to learn and we started poorly but we worked hard to try and get back in it at the end and never gave up.

"Ireland played well, with a lot of spirit and there was not much in it at all.

"They look a lot better side than in Australia last year," added Sheedy.