Ireland wrap up series with ease

Australia 29 (0-7-8) Ireland 50 (1-13-5), Ireland win series 2-0, aggregate score 65-130:Ireland added a comfortable second test win in Gold Coast this morning to last week's big win in Melbourne for a 2-0 series win and the biggest aggregate differential in history, 65.

Despite a promising start, Australia were overwhelmed in all the major sectors, still unable to get the required accuracy in attack and unable to stem the flow of scores at the other end.

Six players were shown yellow cards, five in a fractious third quarter – three from either side.

A nervy start to the first quarter by Ireland saw Australia establish a seven-point lead with much improved kicking and exerting more pressure on Ireland’s defence. Mitch Robinson and captain Brad Greene kicked overs for an 8-2 lead before the visitors settled.

In the five minutes before the end of the quarter a fine mark by Kieran Donaghy was finished by him for an over. Steven McDonnell extended his record scoring total for Ireland with two well-taken overs before the hooter sounded leaving his team four up, 12-8, at the change.

Ireland’s defence began to take over in the second quarter with Ciarán McKeever exceptional at reading and securing possession. Overs from McDonnell and Murphy, who maintained his robust tackling from the first test but who was yellow carded in the 34th minute for rough play, pushed Ireland’s lead to nine at 21-12.

Good combination work by Murphy and McDonnell sent Leighton Glynn in one-on-one with Australia goalkeeper Matthew Suckling. Glynn rounded his opponent, went perilously wide of the goal but managed to flick the ball into the empty net for a 32nd minute 12-point lead, 1-6-4 to 0-4-4.

The third quarter push from Australia never materialised, as play became scrappy and fractious. Again James Kelly and Bernie Vince led the way for the AFL team but it wasn’t enough and the side ended up with the lowest score in international history.

Overall the home side managed just six points in the entire second half as Ireland for whom Colm Begley and Tadgh Kennelly – named GAA player of the series – were outstanding pulled away.

Ireland:1. Stephen Cluxton (Dublin, captain); 18. Ciarán McKeever, (Armagh), 27. Kevin Reilly (Meath), 21. Neil McGee (Donegal); 19. Kevin McKernan (Down), 9. Pearse Hanley (Mayo/Brisbane Lions), 2. Colm Begley (Laois); 28. Zach Tuohy (Laois/Carlton), 14. Tadgh Kennelly (Kerry/Sydney Swans); 7. Leighton Glynn (Wicklow), 31. Tommy Walsh (Kerry/Sydney Swans), 20. Joe McMahon (Tyrone); 23. Michael Murphy (Donegal), 6. Kieran Donaghy (Kerry), 16. Steven McDonnell (Armagh). Inter-change:3. Emmet Bolton (Kildare), 4. Eoin Cadogan (Cork), 5. Eamonn Callaghan (Kildare), 11. Darren Hughes (Monaghan), 13. Paddy Kelly (Cork), 22. Brendan Murphy (Carlow), 8. Finian Hanley (Galway), 30. Aidan Walsh (Cork).

Scorers:McDonnell 9 (0-3-0), T Walsh 9 (0-3-0), M Murphy 7 (0-2-1), Glynn 7 (1-0-1), Donaghy 7 (0-2-1), Callaghan 3 (0-1-0), Kennelly 3 (0-1-0), McMahon 3 (0-1-0), Tuohy 1 (0-0-1), McKernan 1 (0-0-1).

Australia:1. Matthew Suckling (Hawthorn); 5. Shaun Grigg (Richmond), 8. James Frawley (Melbourne), 9. James Kelly (Geelong Cats), vice captain; 40. David Wojcinski (Geelong Cats), 24. Joel Patfull (Brisbane Lions), 4. Andrew Swallow (North Melbourne); 2. Zac Smith (Gold Coast Suns), 17. Bernie Vince (Adelaide Crows); 21. Ben McGlynn (Sydney Swans), 11. Mitch Robinson (Carlton), 7. Mark Nicoski (West Coast); 18. Brad Green (Melbourne, captain), 6. Angus Monfries (Essendon), 44. Stephen Milne (St Kilda). Inter-change:3. Liam Shiels (Hawthorn), 10. Jack Trengove (Melbourne), 13. Trent McKenzie (Gold Coast Suns), 14. Callan Ward (GWS Giants), 15. Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide), 26. Richard Douglas (Adelaide Crows), 16. Robin Nahas (Richmond), 29. Easton Wood (Western Bulldogs).

Scorers:Green 10 (0-2-4), Smith 9 (0-3-0), Robinson 4 (0-1-1), McGlynn 3 (0-1-0), Milne 1 (0-0-1), Swallow 1 (0-0-1), Trengove 1 (0-0-1).

Referees:David Coldrick (GAA) and Ray Chamberlain (AFL).