Junior International rules/Ireland 39 Australia 31: Ireland finished strongly to pip Australia in a low-scoring international decider at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney, yesterday.

Ireland got off to the better start with Cian Mackey scoring an over and a behind before shooting the ball to the Australian net as Ireland moved 11-3 ahead by the 10th minute.

Australia picked the game up in the second quarter with James Bennett scoring an over but Ireland had a 16-12 lead at half-time.

Two overs from Kenneth Casey and Brian Óg Maguire in the third quarter saw Ireland lead 23-18 but Australia finished strongly the game was delicately poised at 23-20 going into the final quarter.

Ireland responded magnificently with an over from Paul Kernan but Australia had an over followed by a couple of behind's as they moved 30-26 in front with just five minutes left.

David Carroll levelled with a fine over from the sideline and then Kernan struck the goal that gave Ireland a 2-1 victory over the three-game series.

SCORERS: Ireland: C Mackey (0-14), P Kernan (0-6), S Clarke (0-6), D Carroll (0-4), F Lynch, and K Casey (0-3 each), R Flanagan, S Hennessy and P Hanley (0-1 each). Australia: M Thorpe, M Murphy, P Ryder, J Selwood, G Grant (0-4 each), J Bennett, and T Hislop (0-3 each), L Hamson, C Benjamin, M Tyler, C Bartram, D Stanley (0-1 each).

IRELAND: M Boyle; D Brennan, K Casey, R Cullivan, A Fenton, M Ferris, B Óg Maguire, P Kernan, R Flanagan, P Hanley, D Kelly, F Lynch, S McAloon, C Mackey, P O'Connor.