1986
The Second Series – 1986
Reproduced from the Official International Rules Series Programme, October 1998
Just a week prior to the opening test in Perth, Ireland took on the Australians in a warm up game at the Hands Oval in Bunbury. They were defeated by nine points (60-51) with the locals scoring one goal, 13 overs and 15 singles to the visitors two goals, 11 overs and six points. Ireland dominated the first two quarters and led by 21 points at the break, but the Australians gradually erased the deficit in the third quarter and in the last ten minutes their greater physical fitness told as they scored 15 points without reply to win by a slightly flattering nine points. A crowd of 4,000 attended the pre-test. In the second Test programme of three games, Ireland, after losing the opening game, came back well to win the series and so draw level with Australia in the international competition.
October 10 - 1st Test
Australia 64 d. Ireland 57
This game will long be remembered for the fighting sequences rather than the footballing ones as the Australians and the Irish fought out a bruising encounter at the Western Australia Cricket Association Oval in Perth. Such were the scenes on the pitch that GAA President Dr. Mick Loftus feared that the series would have to be abandoned and although he laid most of the blame at the hands of the locals, he freely admitted that the tourists were not blameless either.
The Australians won the match by one goal, 14 overs and 16 single points to Ireland’s five goals, five overs and 12 points - but as to who won the pitched battles in anyone’s guess, the first of which broke out shortly before the end of the first quarter and after which four players - Pat O’Byrne and Pat Spillane of Ireland and Gary Pert and Robert Di Pierdomenico - were sent to the line. And that wasn’t the end of the dismissals with Australian goalkeeper Garry McIntosh receiving his marching orders in the third quarter for a violent foul on Dermot McNicholl.
As for the actual play it was the Australians who started the better and used the wind advantage very well in the opening quarter to establish an early lead. It was a lead they held throughout the match but Ireland did have plenty of chances in the last quarter to sneak a win, but their kicking for overs let them down.
October 19 - 2nd Test
Ireland 62 d. Australia 46
At the VFL Park in Melbourne six days later Ireland levelled the series with a comfortable 62-46 victory and the ugly scenes that littered the Perth test were not repeated. The foundations for the Irish victory lay in a much improved performance, especially in the area of marking (fielding) and their accurate shooting for scores.
Ireland’s 62 points was made up of three goals, 10 overs and 14 single points against the Australians one goal, 10 overs and 10 points. Playing with the wind in the opening quarter Ireland established an early advantage they never subsequently lost and turned over leading by 14 points to eight. Even against the wind in the second quarter the tourists continued to pull away and were 41-18 to the good at the half-time interval. The main factor in Ireland’s advantage was their ability to score goals and Jimmy Kerrigan and Dermot McNicholl combined to set up John O’Driscoll for the first; Noel Roche and Mick Fagan combined to set up Jimmy Kerrigan for number two; and it was Roche again who was involved in Damien O’Hagan grabbing the third. After a severe tounge-lashing from manager John Todd, the Australians improved in the third quarter and narrowed the deficit to 33-51 with John Platten’s goal being their primary score. Six minutes into the fourth quarter the home side were reduced to 14 men when Dale Weightman was sent off for a personal foul on Roche. That effectively ended Australia’s charge although they did manage to narrow the gap to 16 points by the end.
Best for the tourists were Brian McGilligan, Pat O’Byrne, Jack O’Shea, Greg Blaney, John O’Driscoll and Jimmy Kerrigan while the locals were best served by Brad Hardie, Robert Di Pierdomenico, Maurice Rioli, Wayne Johnson and John Platte. The attendance was 10,883.
October 24 - 3rd Test
Ireland 55 d. Australia 32
Before an estimated attendance of 10,000 at the Football Park in Adelaide, Ireland clinched the series with a comprehensive victory over Australia. Although it was a tough encounter the game didn’t have any of the nastiness of the first test and although two players were sent off - Teddy McCarthy and Dale Weightman - it was more a case of a badly timed tackle than serious foul play.
The Irish got off to a great start with a goal after just two minutes when John O’Driscoll set up Damien O’Hagan to finish but two further strikes from Greg Blaney and O’Driscoll were disallowed. This allowed the Australians to turn over after the first quarter on level terms (eight points apiece), but early in the second quarter Blaney had a legitimate goal following good work by Joe MCNally and this allowed the visitors to lead at half-time by 19 points to 11.
Australia had the use of the wind for the third quarter and although they had most of the play, their inability to score goals told against them. Indeed, Ireland’s third goal, courtesy of Jimmy Kerrigan, allowed them to stay in front at the end of the third after which they lead by three points - 29 to 26. In the first ten minutes of the fourth quarter Ireland ended the game as a contest with a terrific display of scoring and none was more prolific than John O’Driscoll. Three overs and a converted penalty by the Leesider between overs by Kerrigan and McCarthy took Ireland 24 points (50-26) clear and that was that. Australia’s hopes of retaining the trophy were gone as Ireland cruised to victory.
Best for the tourists were the irrepressible O’Driscoll along with Kerrigan, Blaney, Jack O’Shea, Gerry Hargan and Brian McGilligan while Australia’s better performers included Robert Di Pierdomenico, Paul Roos, Terry Daniher, John Plattern and Gary Buckenara. The Irish score of 55 points was made up of four goals, eight overs and seven single points while Australia scored seven overs and 11 singles.
- Forward to 1987
