BEST FOR IRELAND
SEAN Cavanagh, Conor McManus and Matty Donnelly were Ireland's best players.
When Ireland were on the ropes, Cavanagh performed a one-man act. The team's best ball-winner, at one stage, he won three successive kick-outs. Mattie Donnelly produced a heroic performance.
His courage in the tackle and his ability to break the gain line was a source of inspiration to his team-mates. His spectacular long range strike was one of the highlights of the game.
Conor McManus won The GAA Medal, the award which is presented to Ireland best player. He was a thoroughly deserving recipient.
Pitted against the best defenders in Australia, McManus beat them in the air and he beat them over the ground. He landed four great scores.
TOP SCORERS
Conor McManus 12, Darren Hughes 7, Mattie Donnelly 6 MOST POSSESSIONS Sean Cavanagh 20, Pearce Hanley 15, Lee Keegan 15, Colm Begley 14
SCOREBOARD QUARTER BY QUARTER 1st: Australia 22 Ireland 4 2nd: Australia 35 Ireland 7 3rd: Australia 46 Ireland 30 4th: Australia 56 Ireland 46
SCORES PER QUARTER 1st: Australia: 22 Ireland 4 2nd Australia 13 Ireland 3 3rd: Australia: 11 Ireland 23 4th: Australia: 10 Ireland 13
BEST FOR AUSTRALIA
LUKE Hodge was presented with the Jim Stynes Medal, the award given to Australia's best player. Hodge had a fine game as did Chan Wingard and Nick Riewoldt. But the Aussie player who had the greatest impact on the game was Steve Johnson. The Geelong player oozed class.
Every time he won the ball, he made something happen. His shooting and passing were of the highest order. Even in the most confined spaces, he was always found a team-mate. Johnson was operating on a different plateau to every other player.
TOP SCORERS
Steve Johnson 12, Nick Riewoldt 10, Chad Wingard 9
MOST POSSESSIONS
Sam Mitchell 27, Leigh Montagna 25, Luke Hodge 24, Steve Johnson 24
BEST MARK
CONOR McManus, Nick Riewoldt and David Moran all claimed fine marks. But Chad Wingard took the most important catch in the game. Having trailed by 33 points, Ireland had reduced the lead to 13. Wingard helped to stop the rot when he rose high above James McCarthy. His spectacular fetch allowed him to score from close range.
BEST SCORE
TAKE a bow, Kevin McKernan. The Australians hit some super scores but none equalled McKernan's glorious effort from the left sideline. Judged to perfection, McKernan's right-footed strike sailed between the posts.
BEST TACKLE
APART from winning every hop ball, Nic Naitanui's most significant contribution was the thumping tackle he made on Ciaran McDonald. Caught in possession as he made his way of defence, McDonald was unceremoniously floored. Australia scored from the free-kick.