International Rules: Ireland 56 (3-11-5) Australia 52 (1-13-7)
IN THE end, Joe Kernan’s prediction of the 40th International Rules test between Ireland and Australia being ‘the toughest ever’ wasn’t too wide of the mark.
Crucially, victory after an intriguing struggle went Ireland’s way, thanks in equal parts to a great start and a considerable display of character late on at Croke Park as Australia rallied.
Asked if it all amounted to the greatest win by an Irish team over Australia since the series first began in 1984, legendary Armagh figure Kernan nodded enthusiastically.
The Ireland manager suggested that Australia’s commitment to fielding their strongest possible team in the last two tests is what made it particularly noteworthy.
“I think the competition is now going to a different level because of what the Australians are sending over,” said Kernan.
“It’s a challenge for us. I think they were 1/4 last week with the bookies but that means nothing either, it’s what you do on the day.
“It’s a great win, a great win but that’s going to make it harder again next year because knowing Australia and the pride they have, they will certainly not want to lose.
“That’s the challenge for us again. But, yeah, it probably was one of the best wins because of the team they sent and the quality of their management.
“Alastair Clarkson, we all know what he has done, three AFLs in-a-row. He’s a smart cookie and he took his best players from his own club with him, five Hawthorn players and, in fairness to them, when the going got tough they did stand up.
“For ourselves, when you’re playing against the best like that, you have to rise up to that level and, for most of the game, we did that.”
Australia largely secured victory by half-time in Perth 12 months ago when they led by 28 points after a blitzkrieg start. Remarkably, Ireland were the ones 20 clear at the same point of the game on Saturday.
From there on, Kernan’s side were outscored by 29 points to 13 though there were mitigating circumstances.
For example, Paddy McBrearty had to be taken to hospital after a horror collision with the upright, an incident that earned Ireland a crucial penalty which Conor McManus converted.
All-Ireland-winning Armagh manager Kernan agreed with the assertion that it was a “cowardly push” on the Donegal attacker.
“I think the game overall, the way it was played compared to the way it was played years ago, I think it was first class,” said Kernan.
“It was competitive, it was fast, exciting, nerve wracking.”
He said that Ireland’s strong emphasis on accurate kick passing, to navigate around the field, worked well as did their exploitation of Australia’s surprisingly high line of defence, leaving space for Bernard Brogan, Aidan O’Shea and McManus who combined for 45 points.
He was thankful too for a helpful team talk from Kerry legend Jack O’Shea at the jerseys presentation on Friday evening.
“Jack O’Shea said: ‘I’ve won seven All-Ireland medals, but every time I meet someone interested in football, they ask me about the Aussie Rules games,” revealed Kernan.
“Well, he couldn’t have said a better thing as far as we were concerned, to get the boys going, if they were doubting anything.”
Kernan praised the way the players came together and parked any old Championship rivalries at the door, particularly those from Dublin and Mayo.
“The respect these boys have for each other is immense,” he said.
“In club football, we knock the s*** out of each other in our own counties, in county football we knock the s*** out of each other.
“But when we go together for Ireland, we do gel and we do mix. There is ultimate respect there.”
Kernan made a strong pitch to return to a two-test series format next year and for one of those tests to be played in the US.
What’s certain is that Clarkson won’t be in charge of Australia, confirming he’s stepping down after two seasons. He described his ‘swansong’ as disappointing.
“I think the overall possession was 380 to 240 so we controlled the ball,” said Clarkson.
“We had the ball 47 times inside 20 metres of their goal compared to 27 for them.
“So we had significant opportunity, just couldn’t convert some of those chances.
“The Irish played particularly well, controlled it at different stages.
“We just rushed it a little bit more than they did at crucial stages.”