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I couldn't work out how to post a link to:
But the Irish Chronicle seems to realise what a winner we have in BBB. I post it below.
I've been a bit surprised by the lack of interest to the IR game on RWO considering BBB, the Captain, Leaping and Jared featured so prominantly.
International Rules Series: Australia take first test
Australia deservedly won the first test of the 2003 International Rules Series in front of more than 41,000 fans in the Subiaco Oval, Perth. However, with just ten points between the sides, 56 points to 46, John O'Keeffe's men are still in with a chance of overhauling the deficit in the second and final match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground next Friday.
Having promisingly led 11-25 after the first quarter thanks to a great goal from debutant Benny Coulter, Ireland were run ragged in the second half and were it not for two crucial saves from goalkeeper Enda Murphy the series would now surely be beyond their reach. If Ireland are to win in Melbourne, O'Keeffe will have to contain gigantic Aussie forward Barry Hall, whose stunning fielding and marksmanship proved to be a constant thorn in the Irish defence.
The Australians dominated possession for the majority of the game but it wasn't until the third quarter, thanks to goals from Brad and Chris Johnson, that they took control on the scoreboard. The third Australian goal, coming in the final quarter from Shane Crawford, emphatically killed off the Irish challenge.
But with the series decided by the aggregate score of the two matches, Ireland will take solace from the performances of Steven McDonnell, Sean Marty Lockhart, Padraic Joyce, Ciaran McManus and the aforementioned Coulter and Murphy. All of these players adjusted to the nuances of the game much better than the rest of the Irish team, hinting that O'Keeffe may able to fashion an improved team showing next week.
McDonnell got Ireland's first score when he notched an over (three points) from a 45 in the second minute. A Chris Johnson behind (one point) and a Matthew Pavlich over settled the home's side's nerves. However, they were left reeling when Down star Coulter, who had been a fitness doubt before the game, burst through from midfield before selling a dummy to the defence and placing the ball calmly past 'keeper Glen Jakovich.
The Aussies hit back with an over from Lenny Hayes, however, Armagh star McDonnell replied with a three-pointer of his own. Hall, as he would do some many times during the match, collected superbly and converted an over from the mark. A Dessie Dolan effort only yielded a behind, but soon after Padraic Joyce made no mistake with an over. McDonnell added another two overs in quick succession, both from marks, to extend Ireland's lead to 12 ? 22 points to 10. Australia followed that with a behind, before McManus elected to take an over with the goal at his mercy. The Irish went in at the hooter leading 25-11.
The second quarter began ominously for Ireland, when Hall landed another over. A lively Australian attack caused panic in an Irish defence that just about managed to avert a shot on goal. The professionals, however, maintained their momentum with two behinds and two overs ? one from a dubious mark from Hall, who had appeared to have pushed Graham Canty. A Coulter behind made it 26-22 before a rare Irish interception in midfield allowed Kevin Hughes to race through for an over.
The increasingly physical nature of the game, which Ireland were obviously finding difficult to cope with, was highlighted when Westmeath's Dolan was unceremoniously grounded in an apparent off-the-ball incident. After receiving much attention, Dolan eventually made it to his feet looking dazed and shook. Kieran McGeeney began to exert more influence - signalling his intent with an over from open play, putting Ireland 32-22 in front. The Armagh captain, however, would later display a more sinister side to his game when TV pictures appeared to show him punching an opponent in the stomach.
Two behinds and a mark, the latter created by an excellent pass from the impressive Nathan Brown, saw Australia begin to claw their way back into contention. Another desperately late challenge, this time by Mark Bickley on Paul McGrane, resulted in a yellow card for the Australian as his side went in at half-time trailing by only five points, 32 to 27.
Ireland began the crucial first half with a behind. But they still hadn't figured out how to limit Hall. After winning another mark, Hall laid off to Brown whose shot was saved by Murphy ? the ball dribbling wide for a behind. At this point Ireland looked as if they might reassert themselves but the early period of the third quarter only yielded four overs (Tom Kelly, Coulter, Beano McDonald and McDonnell) and one over (Joe Higgins). Australia themselves had managed an over in this period before their comeback began in earnest. Brad Johnson collected a quickly-fisted mark and his low shot deflected into the back of the net off the unfortunate Cormac McAnallen to reduce the deficit to just two points ? 38-40.
Hall produced the mark of the match and predictably shot an over to put the home side in front by one. Soon after Murphy had little choice but to mow down Chris Johnson as he ran goalwards. And Ireland were punished for their haphazad defending as Johnson hit the back of the net with the resulting penalty from his hands. Coulter salvaged another behind but Ireland trailed 47-41 at the end of what had been a disastrous quarter for Ireland.
Ireland began the final quarter positively with behinds from Tom Kelly and Coulter, but it looked unlikely that the Australia would relinquish the lead against their tired-looking opponents. Ireland were again exposed when slack marking allowed Shane Crawford to complete the Aussies' hat-trick of goals from close range. There was no way back for Ireland now but a behind from McDonald, who acquitted himself well throughout, and a brilliant McDonnell over (his 16th point in total) from play reduced the arrears to ten points (56-46).
More crucially for Ireland though was Murphy's stop from a close range Brent Harvey effort to keep Ireland's hopes of a series-clinching victory alive.
Filed by James Boylan
I couldn't work out how to post a link to:
But the Irish Chronicle seems to realise what a winner we have in BBB. I post it below.
I've been a bit surprised by the lack of interest to the IR game on RWO considering BBB, the Captain, Leaping and Jared featured so prominantly.
International Rules Series: Australia take first test
Australia deservedly won the first test of the 2003 International Rules Series in front of more than 41,000 fans in the Subiaco Oval, Perth. However, with just ten points between the sides, 56 points to 46, John O'Keeffe's men are still in with a chance of overhauling the deficit in the second and final match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground next Friday.
Having promisingly led 11-25 after the first quarter thanks to a great goal from debutant Benny Coulter, Ireland were run ragged in the second half and were it not for two crucial saves from goalkeeper Enda Murphy the series would now surely be beyond their reach. If Ireland are to win in Melbourne, O'Keeffe will have to contain gigantic Aussie forward Barry Hall, whose stunning fielding and marksmanship proved to be a constant thorn in the Irish defence.
The Australians dominated possession for the majority of the game but it wasn't until the third quarter, thanks to goals from Brad and Chris Johnson, that they took control on the scoreboard. The third Australian goal, coming in the final quarter from Shane Crawford, emphatically killed off the Irish challenge.
But with the series decided by the aggregate score of the two matches, Ireland will take solace from the performances of Steven McDonnell, Sean Marty Lockhart, Padraic Joyce, Ciaran McManus and the aforementioned Coulter and Murphy. All of these players adjusted to the nuances of the game much better than the rest of the Irish team, hinting that O'Keeffe may able to fashion an improved team showing next week.
McDonnell got Ireland's first score when he notched an over (three points) from a 45 in the second minute. A Chris Johnson behind (one point) and a Matthew Pavlich over settled the home's side's nerves. However, they were left reeling when Down star Coulter, who had been a fitness doubt before the game, burst through from midfield before selling a dummy to the defence and placing the ball calmly past 'keeper Glen Jakovich.
The Aussies hit back with an over from Lenny Hayes, however, Armagh star McDonnell replied with a three-pointer of his own. Hall, as he would do some many times during the match, collected superbly and converted an over from the mark. A Dessie Dolan effort only yielded a behind, but soon after Padraic Joyce made no mistake with an over. McDonnell added another two overs in quick succession, both from marks, to extend Ireland's lead to 12 ? 22 points to 10. Australia followed that with a behind, before McManus elected to take an over with the goal at his mercy. The Irish went in at the hooter leading 25-11.
The second quarter began ominously for Ireland, when Hall landed another over. A lively Australian attack caused panic in an Irish defence that just about managed to avert a shot on goal. The professionals, however, maintained their momentum with two behinds and two overs ? one from a dubious mark from Hall, who had appeared to have pushed Graham Canty. A Coulter behind made it 26-22 before a rare Irish interception in midfield allowed Kevin Hughes to race through for an over.
The increasingly physical nature of the game, which Ireland were obviously finding difficult to cope with, was highlighted when Westmeath's Dolan was unceremoniously grounded in an apparent off-the-ball incident. After receiving much attention, Dolan eventually made it to his feet looking dazed and shook. Kieran McGeeney began to exert more influence - signalling his intent with an over from open play, putting Ireland 32-22 in front. The Armagh captain, however, would later display a more sinister side to his game when TV pictures appeared to show him punching an opponent in the stomach.
Two behinds and a mark, the latter created by an excellent pass from the impressive Nathan Brown, saw Australia begin to claw their way back into contention. Another desperately late challenge, this time by Mark Bickley on Paul McGrane, resulted in a yellow card for the Australian as his side went in at half-time trailing by only five points, 32 to 27.
Ireland began the crucial first half with a behind. But they still hadn't figured out how to limit Hall. After winning another mark, Hall laid off to Brown whose shot was saved by Murphy ? the ball dribbling wide for a behind. At this point Ireland looked as if they might reassert themselves but the early period of the third quarter only yielded four overs (Tom Kelly, Coulter, Beano McDonald and McDonnell) and one over (Joe Higgins). Australia themselves had managed an over in this period before their comeback began in earnest. Brad Johnson collected a quickly-fisted mark and his low shot deflected into the back of the net off the unfortunate Cormac McAnallen to reduce the deficit to just two points ? 38-40.
Hall produced the mark of the match and predictably shot an over to put the home side in front by one. Soon after Murphy had little choice but to mow down Chris Johnson as he ran goalwards. And Ireland were punished for their haphazad defending as Johnson hit the back of the net with the resulting penalty from his hands. Coulter salvaged another behind but Ireland trailed 47-41 at the end of what had been a disastrous quarter for Ireland.
Ireland began the final quarter positively with behinds from Tom Kelly and Coulter, but it looked unlikely that the Australia would relinquish the lead against their tired-looking opponents. Ireland were again exposed when slack marking allowed Shane Crawford to complete the Aussies' hat-trick of goals from close range. There was no way back for Ireland now but a behind from McDonald, who acquitted himself well throughout, and a brilliant McDonnell over (his 16th point in total) from play reduced the arrears to ten points (56-46).
More crucially for Ireland though was Murphy's stop from a close range Brent Harvey effort to keep Ireland's hopes of a series-clinching victory alive.
Filed by James Boylan
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