Ireland claims series
October 31st 2008 12:03
IRELAND has regained the Cormac McAnallen Cup with a thrilling four-point win in the second and deciding Test at the MCG on Friday night.
The Irish broke the game open in the second term before withstanding a last-quarter fightback from the Australians to prevail 4.8.9 (57) to 3.8.11 (53)
Australia started brightly and led by 15 points to six late in the first term after two early 'overs' from North Melbourne's Daniel Wells.
But Ireland captain Sean Cavanagh got his side back into the contest with two late overs to cut the margin to three points at quarter-time.
The Irish then took control in the second term, outscoring Australia by 24 points to six with
Kevin Donaghy and Enda McGinley chiming in with valuable six pointers.
When Paddy Bradley scored another three pointer early in the third term the lead was out to 18 points and the result appeared to be beyond doubt.
A goal to Carlton's Marc Murphy got the Australians back to within striking distance but the first of Benny Coulter's two goals gave the vistors a 17-point lead heading into the final change.
Australia came to life in the final term and closed to within four points when Shaun Burgoyne drilled a a low shot to the left of Irish goalkeeper David Gallagher and into the net.
But the Irish had all the answers with Coulter scoring his second goal a minute later to seal Ireland's first series victory on Australian soil since 2001.
AUSTRALIA: 0.4.3, 0.5.6, 1.6.9, 3.8.11 (53)
IRELAND: 0.3.3, 2.6.6, 3.8.8, 4.8.9 (57)
GOALS: Australia: Murphy, S Burgoyne, Petrie
Ireland: Coulter 2, Donaghy, McGinley,
OVERS: Australia: Petrie 2, Wells 2, Osborne, S Burgoyne, Brown, Brennan
Ireland: Cavanagh 4, Coulter, Finlay, Bradley, Donaghy
BEST: Australia: Crowley, Harvey, Simpson, Wells, Petrie, Murphy
Ireland: Canty, Cavanagh, O'Donnell, Coulter, Donaghy, Begley
INJURIES: Australia: Nil
Ireland: Nil
UMPIRES: S McBurney (Australia), P McEnaney (Ireland)
REPORTS: Nil
The Irish broke the game open in the second term before withstanding a last-quarter fightback from the Australians to prevail 4.8.9 (57) to 3.8.11 (53)
Australia started brightly and led by 15 points to six late in the first term after two early 'overs' from North Melbourne's Daniel Wells.
But Ireland captain Sean Cavanagh got his side back into the contest with two late overs to cut the margin to three points at quarter-time.
Kevin Donaghy and Enda McGinley chiming in with valuable six pointers.
When Paddy Bradley scored another three pointer early in the third term the lead was out to 18 points and the result appeared to be beyond doubt.
A goal to Carlton's Marc Murphy got the Australians back to within striking distance but the first of Benny Coulter's two goals gave the vistors a 17-point lead heading into the final change.
Australia came to life in the final term and closed to within four points when Shaun Burgoyne drilled a a low shot to the left of Irish goalkeeper David Gallagher and into the net.
But the Irish had all the answers with Coulter scoring his second goal a minute later to seal Ireland's first series victory on Australian soil since 2001.
AUSTRALIA: 0.4.3, 0.5.6, 1.6.9, 3.8.11 (53)
IRELAND: 0.3.3, 2.6.6, 3.8.8, 4.8.9 (57)
GOALS: Australia: Murphy, S Burgoyne, Petrie
Ireland: Coulter 2, Donaghy, McGinley,
OVERS: Australia: Petrie 2, Wells 2, Osborne, S Burgoyne, Brown, Brennan
Ireland: Cavanagh 4, Coulter, Finlay, Bradley, Donaghy
Ireland: Canty, Cavanagh, O'Donnell, Coulter, Donaghy, Begley
INJURIES: Australia: Nil
Ireland: Nil
UMPIRES: S McBurney (Australia), P McEnaney (Ireland)
REPORTS: Nil
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