Aussie coach wants U.S. team to join the worldwide Rules series

This Australia team was hyped up as the best yet – although Ireland’s 56-52 win on Saturday in Croke Park turned out to be pretty comfortable – bar the final five minutes. “There was a game out here where the Ireland boys kicked over 100 points”.

That was in direct contrast to last year’s Test in Perth, where Ireland were the ones playing catch-up after Australia made the early running.

GAA officers are hoping for an attendance around the 40,000 mark tonight – an improvement on the 28,525 that watched the second test in that lopsided home series of 2013, but a far cry from the 82,127 that crammed Croke Park in 2006 for the incendiary second test that nearly ended this sporting marriage for good.

They restricted Ireland to just two overs in the third quarter, but a costly turnover in the forward half cost Australia just when it had momentum.

However, two Brogan overs in quick succession undid most of their good work and a second goal when a penalty was called after a nice one-two move between Paddy McBrearty and Brogan.

O’Shea set Ireland on their way in the fourth minute when he finished to the net after the ball broke off Brogan as Ireland led 21-14 at the end of the first quarter.

The days of violent off-the-ball carnage that threatened to kill the worldwide Rules Series a decade ago are long gone for an Australian “Dream Team” intent on redeeming themselves after an embarrassing last tour of Ireland.

Ireland looked to be visibly tiring as the third period wore on and Australia grew in confidence, with a fine over by Darren Hughes, after a clean catch, was answered by three overs from the visitors.

Two of those came from Rick Riewoldt, the blonde-haired player causing Ireland’s last line of defence a lot of problems under the dropping ball. Ireland, having scored over 20 points in the opening two quarters, could only manage seven in the third.

“I’m sure we’ll win the game and there will be a bit of sadness in my heart, but I’m there as a professional to win the game of football”.

Australia’s assistant coach Tadhg Kennelly, the Irishman who with the Sydney Swans won the 2005 AFL premiership during a ten-year, 197-game career, has been at the forefront of reviving the flagging concept in recent years.

A few much needed relief came in the form of a McManus over, but the goal chance was there, his shot going off the cross bar with Australia stretched. Diarmaid Connolly added a behind; Ireland were had a little more breathing space. The lead was not six points with Ireland faltering.

They had a light run on Croke Park yesterday before Clarkson, captain Luke Hodge and Irish coach Joe Kernan and captain Bernard Brogan held a joint press conference.

John O’Loughlin, Ireland, in action against Dyson Heppell, left, and Robbie Gray, Australia.