1990
The 'Last' Test Series – 1990
Reproduced from the Official International Rules Series Programme, October 1998
Ireland made their second visit to Australia in 1990 for what was to prove the last Test series until 1998. They got off to a great start, winning the first two games to become the first country to finish as champions before the final match.
November 2 - 1st Test
Ireland 47 d. Australia 38
Before a crowd of 18,332 at the Waverley Stadium in Melbourne, Ireland got off to a great start in the three-test series with a nine-point victory over Australia. The home side started the better and through most of the first quarter (20 minutes) they led by margins varying between one and five points. However, the Irish kept in touch and were on level terms at the quarter mark (11 points each) before pulling ahead in the second to lead by 26-19 at the break. On the resumption Ireland continued to increase their advantage and by the end of the third quarter they were 38-27 ahead. At that stage no goals (six pointers) had been scored and just prior to the change of ends (they changed at the end of each quarter) Paul Curran had missed a glorious chance of the first. Early in the fourth the same player was again presented with a chance of a six-pointer but again failed. Eleven minutes from time Mark Grimley was sent to the line for dangerous play and , with Ireland unable to send on a replacement for ten minutes (James McCartan eventually got the call), Australia closed the gap. However, Ireland were looking the stronger at the finish.
Ireland manager Eugene McGee was euphoric after the match but lamented the lack of coverage on Irish television back home. However, that was a minor drawback and the Longford supremo added that he felt the margin of victory would have been greater but for the sending off of Grimley. The Australian coach David Parkin felt that his players under performed badly especially in their distribution and their kicking. On the field the outstanding player on view was Jack O’Shea who gave a masterly performance and he was ably supported by Stephen O’Brien, Tony Scullion, Noel Roche, Jim Stynes, Val Daly and Bernard Flynn. For the Australians Matthew Campbell, Neville Bruns, Milham Hanna, Gavin Brown and Steve Malaxos were foremost.
Ireland’s score was made up of 12 overs (three points) and 11 singles while the Australians mustered 10 overs and eight points. No goals (six points) were scored.
November 10 - 2nd Test
Ireland 52 d. Australia 31
A disappointingly poor attendance of just 7,000 turned up at Bruce Stadium in Canberra for the second test which saw Ireland win as easily as the 21-point winning margin would suggest. The round ball proved difficult for the Australians and the low temperature also helped the Irish and, despite playing with the wind in the opening quarter, the home side turned over just two points to the good (11-9). The major contributor to Ireland’s nine points was a lovely goal from John Grimley after Stephen O’Brien had set him up. Playing with the wind in the second quarter Ireland dominated and six overs (three pointers) and Grimley’s second goal sent them into a half-time lead of 39 to 14, with Australia’s only score of the quarter coming just before the whistle courtesy of Gavin Brown. The Aussies improved in the third quarter but some very poor shooting let them down and seven single points was a poor return for their dominance. Ireland’s sole reply was an over from Kevin O’Brien and that left it double scores (42-21) at the end of the third. Ireland eased off the pedal somewhat in the final quarter and each side managed ten points in the 20 minutes. The major score for the visitors was a goal from Jim Stynes while Australia continued to score overs and singles. Broken down, Ireland recorded three goals, nine overs and seven single points while Australia notched seven overs and ten points.
Jack O’Shea, who had dominated the opening test, was well patrolled by Ross Smith while Neville Bruns (one of Australia’s better players in the opening game) was sent to the line in the 12th minute of the second quarter for using his elbow in a high tackle on James McCartan. Others to star for Ireland were Tony Scullion, Noel Roche, Jim Stynes, John Grimley and Alan Mulholland while two of Australia’s better performances came from Gavin Brown and Milham Hanna.
November 17 - 3rd Test
Australia 50 d. Ireland 44
Following the results of the first two games many feared for the future of the series if the Irish recorded an easy third victory. However, at the WACA grounds in Perth the Australians restored some badly dented pride with hard-earned but well merited victory. They outscored the visitors by 13 overs and 11 singles to 12 overs and eight singles and in truth were more convincing winners than the six-point margin would indicate. However, the continuing lack of spectator interest (just 7,700 attended) was something that needed to be looked at by the authorities of both codes.
The foundations for this home victory were laid in the opening quarter as the Australians raced into a 14-4 lead. Ireland responded admirably and just before the break they took the lead (18-17) but on the stroke of half-time the inspirational Aussie captain Terry Daniher scored an over to give them the half-time lead - 20 to 18.
The Australians resumed impressively and by the end of the third quarter they had a nine-point lead - 38 to 29 - and in the early stages of the fourth quarter they added to this. The most impressive score of the match was a brilliant 50-yard over from Daniher and this helped put Australia 18 points clear with time running out. Ireland restored some pride by scoring four overs just before the end to reduce the final margin to six but it would have been an injustice if they had got any closer.
Best for the Australians were Daniher, Matthew Campbell, Milham Hanna, Michael Mitchell and Gavin Brown while Ireland’s best representatives were Jack O’Shea, Val Daly, Tony Scullion, Pat Comer and Bernard Flynn. In terms of each test Jack O’Shea, Jim Stynes and Val Daly were the Irish trio while Australia’s top test performers were Gavin Brown, Milham Hanna and Terry Daniher. Jack O’Shea was voted overall player of the series.
