Kevin Feely makes a great catch in Perth.
International Rules Series Second Test
AUSTRALIA (0-15-8) 53 IRELAND (2-10-8) 50
Australia win 116-103 on aggregate
** **
Ireland summoned a brave performance in Perth, but Australia finished with a real flourish to secure a Second Test victory.
Australian captain Shaun Burgoyne hoisted the Cormac McAnallen Cup following an enjoyable encounter with the home team delivering when it truly counted late on.
Trailing 34-41 at the start of the third quarter Australia were splendid in the closing stages with Chad Wingard, Rory Sloane, and Dayne Zorko nailing important overs.
In the dying seconds Eddie Betts and Zorko clipped the decisive scores for Australia, who had endured some early problems against a pumped up Irish outfit.
Kevin Feely makes a great catch in Perth.
Joe Kernan's charges started in blistering fashion bagging two first quarter goals in a purposeful 90 seconds spell which injected Ireland's challenge with hope and momentum.
Gary Brennan and Chris Barrett rattled the Australian net as Ireland thundered into the contest to claim a 13-1 advantage.
By the end of the opening quarter Ireland were 17-11 ahead and the visitors continued to impress before the interval with Michael Murphy and Conor McManus contributing handsomely.
When half-time rolled around Ireland were 30-17 in front with Darren Hughes, Ciaran Sheehan, and Shane Walsh all providing glimpses of their ability.
Walsh adding an over immediately after the restart, but Australia then enjoyed a critical burst which yielded 11 points without reply.
The Irish team pictured ahead of the Second Test.
Wingard and Nat Fyfe's influence increased, but Ireland did respond kicking two of the next three overs courtesy of Sheehan and McManus.
It meant Ireland were seven clear entering the last quarter, but Australia ploughed on defiantly as Wingard, Sloane, and Zorko thumped vital efforts over the bar.
A Niall Grimley over ensured Ireland were back in the ascendancy at 50-47, but Australia weren't going to be denied as Betts kicked the leveller before the busy Zorko supplied the winning score.
Scorers for Australia: Dayne Zorko 9 (0-3-0), Eddie Betts 9 (0-2-3), Rory Sloane 6 (0-2-0), Chad Wingard 6 (0-2-0), Zach Merrett 5 (0-1-2), Ben Brown 4 (0-1-1), Luke Shuey 4 (0-1-1), Nat Fyfe 3 (0-1-0), Shaun Burgoyne 3 (0-1-0), Rory Laird 3 (0-1-0), Shaun Higgins 1 (0-0-1).
Scorers for Ireland: Conor McManus 16 (0-5-1), Gary Brennan 7 (1-0-1), Chris Barrett 6 (1-0-0), Michael Murphy 6 (0-2-0), Shane Walsh 6 (0-1-3), Ciaran Sheehan 3 (0-1-0), Niall Grimley 3 (0-1-0), Niall Murphy 1 (0-0-1), Paul Murphy 1 (0-0-1), Darren Hughes 1 (0-0-1).
AUSTRALIA: Brendon Goddard, Travis Boak, Michael Hibberd, Jack Gunston, Kade Simpson, Zach Merrett, Nat Fyfe, Shaun Burgoyne, Rory Sloane, Robbie Tarrant, Joel Selwood, Dayne Zorko, Ben Brown, Neville Jetta, Eddie Betts, Chad Wingard, Luke Shuey, Rory Laird, Patrick Dangerfield, Shaun Higgins.
IRELAND: Niall Morgan, Chris Barrett, Gary Brennan, Eoin Cadogan, Killian Clarke, Peter Crowley, Kevin Feely, Paul Geaney, Niall Grimley, Brendan Harrison, Conor McManus, Michael Murphy, Niall Murphy, Paul Murphy, Aidan O'Shea, Sean Powter, Niall Sludden, Enda Smith, Conor Sweeney, Zach Tuohy, Shane Walsh, Ciaran Sheehan, Darren Hughes.
