Ireland triumph over Australia in Melbourne

Australia 53 Ireland 57 (Ireland win 102-97 on aggregate):The Cormac McAnallen Cup is on its way back to Irish shores after Seán Boylan's side won the second Test in Melbourne for a five point aggregate win over their hosts.

In blustery conditions at the MCG, Ireland coped better with the boot and took their three-pointers when within sight of the posts. In midfield, their tackling was excellently executed with Player of the Series Graham Canty leading by example.

Australia were fit and powerful but again struggled with accuracy from the round ball and were especially hampered when kicking on the run. Goalkeeper Michael Firrito made some good saves but was guilty of some naïve defending that cost his side in the second quarter especially.

Typically, however, the hosts never let Ireland out of sight and two brilliantly taken goals from Shaun Burgoyne and Drew Petrie in the final quarter made for a tense finish.

Australia began brightly with a strong wind at their backs and early overs from Burgoyne and Daniel Wells laid the foundation for a 15-12 lead but as Ireland showed in the second quarter there was more than a three-point advantage if the breeze was at your back.

Paul Finlay was brought on at the start of the second and wasted no time in eating into their lead when he expertly pointed his first score of international football after Firrito flapped at a high ball.

The goalkeeper's distribution then led to Donaghy slamming home from close range and Cavanagh stretched the lead further with an over.

Ireland could have been out of sight had Benny Coulter not lost control of the ball when bearing down on goal but on that occasion the Down man had to settle for a behind. Nevertheless, Ireland had suddenly turned a three-point deficit into a 10-point lead.

Australia staged a brief revival but again their accuracy let them down and they garnered just one point when six were on the table.

Ireland's fluidity and support running came to the fore again soon afterwards and Firrito did well to parry Cavanagh's shot before Enda McGinley pushed the rebound behind.

The captain added another three and McGinley then made amends when Michael Meehan grabbed the Aussies' attention and worked the ball towards him. Despite the attention of two defenders, he stepped inside his man and fired past Firrito.

It was a fruitful quarter for Boylan's men. With the wind at their backs they had returned 24 points to Australia's six and established a 15-point lead.

Paddy Bradley displayed Ireland's superiority with the round ball immediately after the restart when hitting an over against the wind from the sideline but Jared Brennan responded with one of his own.

The wind was affording Australia more possession but their accuracy off the boot was still an issue and it was never more evident than when Daniel Motlop missed from close range after a brilliant mark.

Increasingly, it looked as if Australia would need a helping hand to get back into the game and they got that with seven minutes remaining in the half after the ball was dropped into the Irish box and was bundled over the line by Marc Murphy.

Steven McDonnell could have cancelled it out almost immediately but after steadying himself and ignoring Cavanagh's plea for a pass he struck his effort too close to Firrito and the Australian pushed the ball behind.

Petrie was soon picking the ball out of the net, however, after Meehan's dogged tackling presented Coulter with the ball just yards from goal and the Down man made no mistake.

Ireland had recovered well from the early pressure and, despite the wind, were keeping the ball away from their goal and forcing mistakes in the Australian defence. Coulter's skill was again on display when setting up Donaghy whose curling effort ensured a 50-33 lead with one quarter to play.

A brilliant mark and two overs from Drew Petrie soon ate into that lead, however, and Daniel Wells hit the post after a lovely take and turn to claim a behind. The lead was cut to nine and like last week the home side looked to have a strong last quarter in them.

That was hammered home when Motlop burst through and fed Shaum Burgoyne whose finish past David Gallagher was worthy of the most accomplished finisher like, say, Coulter, who refused to be upstaged and opportunistically fisted the ball past Firrito at the other end to restore a 10-point lead.

The game was slipping from Australia's grasp but there was to be one last dying kick from the hosts and it came in the shape of a stunning finish from Petrie after he fielded under pressure.

Deep into injury time another goal would have meant a one point aggregate win for Australia but an important tap from Donaghy at the restart kept the ball away from the danger area and Ireland claimed a deserved victory.

Australia:Michael Firrito; Roger Hayden, Nathan Bock, Campbell Brown; Ryan Crowley, Drew Petrie, Adam Selwood; Brent Harvey, Daniel Wells; Marc Murphy, Jared Brennan, David Rodan; Michael Osborne, Shaun Burgoyne, Matt Campbell.

Interchange players:Matthew Boyd, Nathan Foley, Josh Hunt, Leigh Montagna, Daniel Motlop, Scott Pendlebury, Brad Sewell, Kade Simpson, Dale Thomas.

Ireland:David Gallagher; Aidan O'Mahony, Finian Hanley, John Keane; Bryan Cullen, Kevin Reilly, Ciarán McKeever; Graham Canty, Colm Begley; Enda McGinley, Seán Cavanagh, Joe McMahon; Steven McDonnell, Kieran Donaghy, Leighton Glynn.

Interchange Players:Paddy Bradley, Benny Coulter, Aaron Kernan, Killian Young, Justin McMahon, Michael Meehan, John Miskella, Paul Finlay, Marty McGrath.