Ireland 57 (2-12-9)
Australia 35 (1-7-8)
KEVIN MCLOUGHLIN SHOOK off his All-Ireland final heartache to net a crucial late goal that puts Ireland in pole position in the International Rules series.
The Mayo forward pounced after two Australian players had failed to catch a high ball in by captain Michael Murphy.
And it was a crucial score as Paul Earley’s side had watched the visitors roar back into the series with a third quarter burst.
Ireland led 28-9 at half-time thanks to some fine early kicking from Murphy and Laois ace Ross Munnelly.
But 18 points in what the Aussies term the ‘championship quarter’ left Ireland just 39-27 clear approaching the final period.
Things were looking decidedly shaky when Australia reduced their arrears to eight points at one stage.
Yet while Ireland looked to be struggling in the fitness stakes, they had retained a strong burst for the finish.Ciaran Sheehan, Colm Boyle and Conor McManus all hit overs while McLoughlin netted in the 69th minute.
It all means Ireland will take a handsome 22-point lead into the decisive test though the down side was a serious injury to Aidan Walsh.
Cork’s ace midfielder and talented hurler left the field late on clutching his left knee.
Ireland: Paddy O’Rourke; N McGee, F Hanley, C McKaigue; L Keegan, Z Tuohy (6), J McCaffrey (1); A Walsh, S Cavanagh (3); P Flynn (3), C Byrne (4), C Sheehan (4); P McBrearty, M Murphy (7), R Munnelly (9).
Interchange: C Begley (3), C Boyle (3), P Conroy, C Kilkenny, K McLoughlin (6), C McManus (5, A O’Shea (3), M Shields.
Australia: A McGrath; J Harbrow, S Yarran, T Armstrong; C Ellis-Yolmen, Aaron Davey (1), N Lovett-Murphy; D Wells (1), L Franklin (6); S Motlop (8), L Thomas, Lewis Jetta (3); E Betts, M Stokes (3), J Hill.
Interchange: Leroy Jetta (3), S Wellingham, S Edwards, Alwyn Davey (3), J Neade (6), D Barry (1).
Referees: M Deegan (Ireland), M Stevic (Australia).
I don’t know why “title hopes” features in any headline this early in the season.
@ecrowley ecrowley: I don’t know why “title hopes” features in any Arsenal headline tbh.
@Ray Ridge: Never change, Ray!
You win some. You lose some. You draw some.
Unfortunate about the offside but Partey should have scored. Missed opportunity to close the gap. Stuff like this add up at the end of the year unfortunately.
@Joshua Walsh: the offside isn’t unfortunate, it’s just really poor concentration from martinelli to stray offside in that position.
And this my friends is why ……………
@Ray Ridge: oh so you show for draws… interesting. What about wins?
@Joshua Walsh: as complete no show. Mia.
@Ray Ridge: i might add Ray. They are a few places and points above newcastle who drew with Liverpool in midweek which was supposed to be a good result??
@Ray Ridge: is why you are a terminal donkey.
@paul doyle: yes, but delve a little bit deeper, and the whole story will show. Coming away from Newcastle with something is not a bad result.
@Ray Ridge: Arsenal have more of a chance october winning side man city
@paul doyle: Newcastle beat Arsenal yea?
Hopefully Spurs get a result v chelsea and it would off being some weekend for us ( liverpool ?
It’s a point more than we got there last season. I’ll take that.
In certain aspects it was a good performance. Raul with a very well taken goal, really put us on the back foot. For me, when we go behind, we don’t have enough cutting edge going forward. A lot of nearly moments unfortunately.
@Sean O’Maolain: Didn’t realise you were on the team Seán. What’s your squad number?
@Sambo: Ahhhhh I see what u did there. I said “we”… So u assume I played. No buddy. I’m just a fan and their the club I support….disappointed that I needed to explain that to u. :-(
@Sambo: keep digging!
Same old arsenal
@Robert Clifford: lol, how do u figure? Ohh ya, I forgot… Arsenal are expected to win every game week in week out. Great take there sir.
@Sean O’Maolain: yea they are if they want to win the Premiership
Why are Damien Leen and David Sheperd on this article like they are on other premier league articles? Or is just the United ones? They have to be the most disliked people on this app.
@James Molowney: maybe if man united didn’t keep embarrassing themselves they wouldn’t have anything to comment on? Just a thought!
@Sean O’Maolain: Ah yes you are the other one with those other 2 tulips that’s fairly disliked on this app, you never stop either.
@James Molowney: Well done on showing up ur intelligence bud. A handful of arsenal fans on this thread + plus MULTIPLE united fans. But ya, blame the two Liverpool fans. WHY DO UNITED FANS CONSTANTLY MAKE A SHOW OF THEMSELVES?
No sign of Seanie and his endless wit and humour
@Dessie: and you’ll moan when he does show up
@Dessie: Who?
@Dessie: uv some neck lad. :-D ye lose at HOME to FOREST and we draw away. Looool. Have you any shame?
@Sean O’Maolain: so stoke 2.0 drew today and you’re upset. It’s ok lad only football and you still haven’t addressed how ETH won more than Areta
@Shanie: Just some kids
@Dessie: looooool, I’m upset am I? :-D Yer a constant laughing stock, but ur happy once you’ve a cup. Looooool.
@Sean O’Maolain: you seem angry this evening. Never said was happy with a cup. Just asking a simple question when you constantly sneer at all things United related and seem to believe Arsenal are in a title race and you were consistently laughing at ETH and I’m simply pointing out some facts. And what age are you to start any conversation with Looool
@Dessie: Loooooool, can’t wait to find out what team ul support come May for the title. Liverpool or Arsenal? :-D
@Sean O’Maolain: you seem to be happy celebrating the first loser title again.
@Dessie: I’m a fan buddy. I celebrate everything Arsenal. No matter where we finish. Ye have a meltdown everyday…. Yesterday twas Forrest… Today Dan Ashworth. Can ye go 5 mins without being a laughing stock? LooooL!
@Sean O’Maolain: enjoy school tomorrow lad and hope you have all your homework done
@Dessie: Loooool
@Sean O’Maolain: very optimistic that Arsenal will be in the mix come May. There dropping points at the moment while Chelsea are picking them up. City will bounce back so could be Liverpool Chelsea and city come May.
@Dessie: Sneer at Jtd cause utd are a complete joke…even your saviour said te are mediocre…Deal with it sunshine, Utd are shite, banter club.