International Rules Under-18 series, Ireland 44 Australia 56: The series will go down to the final game after Australia's victory in the second Test at Parnell Park, yesterday.
Ireland, having won the first Test in Crossmaglen last Sunday, finished strongly enough with Ken Casey's goal in the final quarter offering Tony Scullion's side some hope. But they were never able to match the heights of the second quarter when they had produced a terrific comeback.
Leading the charge was Cavan minor Ray Cullivan who, operating alongside Shane Hennessy in midfield, had taken control of the game.
His 10 points to that point had put it up to the Australians who had threatened to run away with proceedings early on.
Ireland had struggled to come to terms with Australia's high fielding in the danger areas with Thomas Hislop posing a very real threat in the full-forward line. And with Australia coming out on top in the tackle, the score after the first quarter read 26-5 in Australia's favour.
But Ireland bounced back after the interval with Cullivan and fellow Cavan native and Irish captain Cian Mackey showing the way. And successive overs (three-pointers) from Cullivan and Brian Óg Maguire saw Ireland just 30-26 behind at the break.
But a poor third quarter left Ireland languishing 45-31. And what hope Ireland had of salvaging the game evaporated in the final quarter. Travis Varcoe denied David Carroll and then sealed the game when he netted Australia's only goal of the game.
IRELAND: M Boyle; D Brennan, S Browne, D Carroll (2pts), K Casey (6 pts), R Cullivan (13 pts), A Fenton, M Ferris, R Flanagan, A Fowley, P Hanley (3pts), S Hennnesy (3pts), F Lynch (1pt), C Mackey (8pts), C McDyre (3pts). Interchanged Players: K Dyas (1pt), G Hannigan, E Kenny (1pt), B Óg Maguire (3pts), S McElhone, P O'Connor, B Phelan, P Kernan, M Griffin.
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