Ireland 31 Australia 69 (Agg: 79-109): Ireland threw away their eight point first-test advantage to gift Australia the International Rules series after a disjointed display on a hugely disappointing and anti-climactic day at a packed Croke Park.
Tempers frayed throughout - but especially in the opening quarter - with a number of players from both sides sent to the sin-bin but, fundamentally, Ireland were bossed off the park in the skills department.
Australia were far more comfortable in every department, from fielding and passing to tackling and supporting. Barry Hall and Ryan O'Keefe were inspirational and, by the end, Irish fans streamed out of the ground early disillusioned with their side's meek offering.
Although both sides attempted during the week to play down the expectant physical element to this tie, tempers boiled over from the very start.
Punches were traded all over the pitch and, with just three minutes on the clock, both teams had players sin-binned; Paul Galvin and Aidan O'Mahony the Irish players receiving early 15-minute breaks.
As those scuffles broke out, the home side took their eye off the ball and were far too focused on the physical exchanges rather than the contest itself.
From one such incident, very early on, Australia capitalised when Brent Stanton boldly ran through a deserted Irish defence to find the net with a well-taken goal.
And the tourists kicked-on from that point, showing tremendous intensity and, indeed, adapted to their surroundings quicker than their hosts - stretching their lead to 10-1.
Ireland lost Graham Geraghty midway through the quarter. The Meath man was knocked unconscious after a legal but firm challenge from Danyle Pearce and subsequently stretchered off.
Still, Ireland found their scoring range as the clock ticked down with both Benny Coulter and Dermot Early picking off decent scores to leave the match 16-10 in Australia's favour.
Thankfully, the emphasis was very much on the football in the second period, much of which Australia dominated.
Ireland struggled for possession and rarely worked the ball forward. Long balls up-field were quickly mopped up and subsequently the home side were starved of possession and left wanting in attack.
Australia, on the other hand, perfected their short game and left Ireland looking leg weary for large spells, quickly attacking breaking ball and holding firm in the challenge.
Chance Bateman, Brendon Goddard and Aaron Davey all scored overs to extend Australia's lead. But Ireland rallied as half-time loomed, ensuring the visitors wouldn't have it all their own way.
Joe Bergin saw a goal-bound effort deflected behind at the last moment by the covering O'Keefe - who had a superb game - while Armagh's Steven McDonnell chipped an over which crashed off the crossbar.
Australia took to the dressing room on a 27-16 half-time scoreline, leading the series by three points on aggregate.
But whatever ambitions Ireland harboured of clawing back that deficit were cruelly exposed in the third quarter. Australia simply overpowered a weak Irish team who imploded as a result.
Goddard and Ryan Crowley both found the Irish net, killing off the contest as a result. Pearce then rubbed salt in wounds when display his 'soloing' skills on occasion when pushing forward/
Entering the final quarter 57-20 down (29 behind on aggregate) it was always going to be a damage limitation exercise but still a weary Irish couldn't stop Australia advancing. Consequently, the spirit quickly drained from the home side who longed for the final hooter.
Hall and Co continued to dominate possession, not to mention the scoreboard, while Ireland were left to reflect on a desperately poor performance when even the basic aspects of Gaelic Games, never mind International Rules, deserted them on a day to forget.