Australians impressed by ‘highly-skilled’ Ireland’s adaptability

Australia 53 [0-15-8] Ireland 50 [2-10-8] Australia win series 2-0

The irony is that, as the international series continues to bob above the surface, uncertain of staying afloat but defiantly buoyant, the game itself has never been in better shape.

For a third series, including the most recent one-Test years, Australia have fielded an excellent team and Ireland have been competitive in taking them on in contests that have shown the best of international rules.

The Australian television broadcast remarked on the relentless pace of the match, the fast-moving transitions from defence to attack and the lack of any respite.

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As the match wore on, though, Ireland’s error count rose and although players were afterwards divided on whether fatigue had been an issue it’s not unreasonable to believe that the intensity of the contest may well have taken a toll on stamina and consequently decision-making in the closing stages.

Offered the platform of a seven-point lead going into the final quarter at any stage last week, Ireland would have been more than happy to take it but in those final 18 minutes they were unable to translate that into a series – or even Test – winning position.

In the end, it was a disappointment for Joe Kernan’s side – even a simple match win would have been a matter of satisfaction and players knew that they had themselves to blame for that in the mistakes made in the second half.

Paid tribute

Australian coach Chris Scott paid tribute to the opposition afterwards and was evidently impressed with the adaptability shown between the first and second Tests.

“Even within the week, the way they adjusted their game and really had us covered for the majority of the game speaks to how highly skilled their people are. The Irish played a little bit higher in their formation. The week before they played their forwards back a little and didn’t pressure us as much . . . ”

That increased pressure got the scoreboard moving and there was deliberation and accuracy in both of the early goals – the higher press reflected in the finish provided by a centrefielder and defender, respectively. Such was the energy invested by Ireland in the first quarter that the players’ GPS statistics were, according to one of the backroom team members, “off the charts”.

It was always a danger that unless they were out of sight by the final quarter that sort of effort would begin to take its toll.

Then everything is complicated by the opposition and the AFL team were excellent. Their ability to read and claim high ball – even with its unfamiliar shape – was epitomised by their Player of the Series Nat Fyfe, who took more than half of his team's contested marks and twice as many as the best Irish players.

He was able to complement his ball winning with accurate kicking, most spectacularly for his first-Test goal, but also for a number of overs but there was also a more evenly spread contribution from his team-mates. Ten players of the home team kicked overs on Saturday, compared to half that number for Ireland.

Ireland pushed it all the way though and Kernan is entitled to feel undone by fate in the bug that flared through the camp in the first week. The disruption and loss of players meant that the campaign was on the back foot at an early stage and yet they still had chances to get even closer – an extra goal in each Test would have transformed the finale and there were chances.

Ultimately, the team was a little too inexperienced. It’s impossible to predict with any confidence how rookies will take to the international game. Past performance is the gold standard in credentials and sure enough for the fifth Test in succession Conor McManus, the vice captain, was Ireland’s top scorer, his accuracy from all sorts of angles astonishing the locals.

Trying circumstances

His Monaghan colleague Darren Hughes flew out the second week and with his experience of the game fitted in quickly and seamlessly.

Shane Walsh was the best of the new caps in attack and even he ruefully accepts that he could have done better with the goal opportunities he had on both days.

After he had done so well in trying circumstances Kernan's criticisms of the match officials were unfortunate in that they deflected from what was by and large a fairly disciplined two Tests – Joel Selwood's dismissal was deserved and the decision take by AFL umpire Matt Stevic on advice from video official Ian Curlewis.

It was also unfair to Fyfe to create a controversy around his late challenge on Aidan O’Shea when appropriate action had been taken and the Irish manager himself said that he had yet to sit down and review the video. In addition his remarks drowned out his very upbeat assessment of the series.

“I’m finished now and it’s been an honour to be involved in both series. I hope from both countries’ point of view that we do keep it going. It’s fantastic to wear an Irish jersey – every one of those boys are so proud and their families are so proud.

“After all the years and the problems there were I think it’s really starting to fulfil itself. Australia are putting out great teams. We always try to put out a good team and it’s two great sides going head to head . . . ”

Scorers: Australia: Zorko (0-3-1) 10, Betts (0-2-3) 9, Wingard (0-2-0) 6, Sloane (0-2-0) 6, Merrett (0-1-2) 5, Laird (0-1-0), 3, Fyfe (0-1-0) 3, Shuey (0-1-1) 4, Brown (0-1-1) 4, Burgoyne (0-1-0) 3.

Ireland: McManus (0-5-1) 16, Brennan (1-0-1) 7, Murphy (0-2-0) 6, Barrett (1-0-0) 6, Walsh (0-1-3) 6, Grimley (0-1-0) 3, Sheehan (0-1-0) 3, Hughes (0-0-1), Smith (0-0-1), Murphy 0-0-1

Squads

Australia: 8. Brendon Goddard (Essendon), 9. Shane Burgoyne (Hawthorn, capt.), 12. Robbie Tarrant (North Melbourne), 29. Rory Laird (Adelaide), 5. Kade Simpson (Carlton), 29. Rory Laird (Adelaide Crows), 21. Luke Shuey (West Coast Eagles), 15. Dayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions), 29. Shaun Higgins (North Melbourne), 35. Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong Cats), 16. Ben Brown (North Melbourne), 11. Rory Sloane (Adelaide Crows), 18. Eddie Betts (Adelaide Crows), 7. Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle), 20.Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide).

Inter-change: 1. Travis Boak (Port Adelaide), 4. Jack Gunston (Hawthorn), 6. Zach Merrett (Essendon), 14. Joel Selwood (Geelong). Ireland: 1. Niall Morgan (Tyrone); 12. Brendan Harrison (Aghamore, Mayo), 4. Eoin Cadogan (Douglas, Cork), 25. Seán Powter (Douglas, Cork), 32. Ciarán Sheehan (Éire Óg and Cork), 29. Zach Tuohy (Portlaoise, Laois/Geelong), 2. Chris Barrett (Belmullet, Mayo), 24. Aidan O'Shea (capt, Breaffy, Mayo), 8. Kevin Feely (Athy, Kildare), 30. Shane Walsh (Kilkerrin-Clonberne, Galway), 31. Darren Hughes (Scotstown, Monaghan), 26. Niall Sludden (Dromore, Tyrone), 9. Paul Geaney (Dingle, Kerry), 20. Michael Murphy (Glenswilly, Donegal), 18. Conor McManus (Clontibret, Monaghan).

Inter-change: 3. Gary Brennan (Clondegad, Clare), 5. Killian Clarke (Cavan), 10. Niall Grimley (Madden Raparees, Armagh), 21. Niall Murphy (Coolera-Strandhill and Sligo), 22. Paul Murphy (Rathmore, Kerry), 6. Peter Crowley (Laune Rangers, Kerry), Conor Sweeney (Ballyporeen, Tipperary), 27. Enda Smith (Boyle and Roscommon).

Referees: Matt Stevic (AFL) and Maurice Deegan (GAA).