BBC SPORT | N Ireland | Australia win Rules series

Ireland 42-42 Australia

Australia came storming back from behind to draw the second International Rules Test at Croke Park in Dublin.

Having won the first Test by 65-58, it meant the Aussies regained the trophy they lost at home to Ireland in 2001.

The wind and rain proved important factors and led to Ireland dominating the fist and third quarters, with Australia on top in the second and fourth.

Australia were 18-17 ahead at half-time but they failed to register a single point in the third quarter and Ireland managed 20.

Luke Darcy scored in the final quarter as Australia stormed from behind to win the International Rules series in Dublin
Luke Darcy scored Australia's goal

Six of those points came when Tyrone's Cormac McAnallen scored Ireland's only goal of the afternoon.

He shot in from close-ange after the initial effort by Galway star Padraig Joyce had been blocked.

The Irish were 37-18 up as the sides went into the final 20 minutes.

However, Australia got a massive boost when Luke Darcy palmed in a goal for Australia.

Then the visitors added four unanswered overs to come to within one point of Ireland at 37-36.

Ireland then scored one over and two behinds but Australia had the final say with two late three-point overs levelling the scores at 42 points each.

Nathan Brown, who scored 15 points in the first match, added another 13 in the deciding game.

The one sour note of the day was the dismissal of Brad Scott of Australia who was shown the red card for punching Graham Geraghty in the face.


	Links to more N Ireland stories