The lead was not six points with Ireland faltering.
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In an unbearably tense finish, Ireland blew a chance of a goal when they had a two-man overlap, but Brogan had a behind to seal it. With only six points from the last quarter they were hanging on. “And Joe wouldn’t be putting his time in over the last 12 weeks”. That would prove the last score of the game.
They went in at the break with a commanding lead of 43-23, but in the final quarters, Australia began to force their way back into the match.
Australia brought a star-studded squad to Croke Park.
Ireland haven’t won a series on Australian soil since 2008 – and Kernan will aim to end that particular starvation.
Victory was secured on the back of an impressive first half display, as Ireland raced into a 20-point lead by half-time.
Despite Australia appearing fired up for the start of the second, it was Aidan O’Shea would buried a second goal three minutes in. The Mayo man followed up on a Brogan goal effort that was saved and found the net with an excellent left-footed drive.
Brogan endorsed the AFL’s new policy of only allowing players who have been All-Australians at a few point in their careers to play in the game.
Ireland regressed in the third quarter managing just 3 overs, McManus twice and a first first from Darren Hughes, and Australia made hay.
The third quarter was much more subdued. “There was a game out here where the Ireland boys kicked over 100 points”.
By now Australia’s goalkeeper Fletcher was acting as a sweeper, picking up the deep lying Brogan, and while he cut out a number of attacks it was a case of too little too late.
Ireland lost their way somewhat in the third quarter, in front of the crowd of 38,386, as Australia nearly halved the deficit with Nick Riewoldt causing the Irish full-back line difficulties, hitting seven points in quick succession to make it 50-39 heading into the third quarter.
With five minutes to go, the visitors finally got the goal they so craved as Betts fisted home.
McLachlan, arriving in Dublin for the IRS (International Rules Series) match held on Saturday at Croke Park, spoke to AFL’s official site about how he loves the concept of worldwide Rules Test. He is set to officially meet Gaelic Athletic Association this Friday.
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AUSTRALIA: D Fletcher (Essendon), H Ballantyne (Fremantle), E Betts (Adelaide Crows), G Birchall (Hawthorn), L Breust (Hawthorn), P Dangerfield (Geelong Cats), A Gaff (West Coast Eagles), B Goddard (Essendon), R Gray (Port Adelaide), D Heppell (Essendon), L Hodge (Hawthorn), S Mitchell (Hawthorn), L Montagna (St Kilda), D Mundy (Fremantle), R Murphy (Western Bulldogs), N Riewoldt (St Kilda), T Rockliff (Brisbane Lions), J Roughead (Hawthorn), N Smith (Sydney Swans), J Stringer (Western Bulldogs), H Taylor (Geelong Cats), E Wood (Western Bulldogs).
