Ireland 1-12-6 (48)

Australia 1-9-7 (40)

IS there no pleasing people? When last year's second Coca-Cola International Rules Test spun briefly out of control in Melbourne, the demands in Ireland to scrap the series sent hysteria zooming through boiling point.

It was all so different on Saturday night in Pearse Stadium, looking splendid as it hosted its first game under lights, as Australia and Ireland were model ambassadors for the hybrid game. Apart from a few minor flare-ups, the first Test was played with admirable decorum and ended with Ireland taking an eight-point advantage to Croke Park next Sunday.

The post-match reaction in much of yesterday's media bemoaned the absence of a sharper cutting edge. It seems punch-ups and general mayhem have their supporters after all.

Teddy McCarthy, former Irish international and Cork dual star, went as far to suggest that "if ever a match needed a good row, this was it."

Really? And provide another excuse for RTE's 'Liveline' to decamp to the highest moral ground for another lecture session? No thanks.

Granted, Saturday's game lacked the fierce intensity of previous clashes but with both sides under clear instruction that good discipline was crucial to the continuance of the series, they were always going to be on their very best behaviour.

Three players, Kevin Reilly, Graham Geraghty and Aaron Davey received yellow cards (15 minutes in the sin bin), and while there were a few other minor scuffles they hardly registered on the bust-up scale.

Apart from the change in the approach to discipline, two other distinct features stood out from the start. Ireland, who had only five of last year's squad on board, were a whole lot sharper and cuter this time while Australia, who had six survivors, weren't as crisp or as forceful. Crucially, too, their kicking was nowhere nearly as accurate either.

Exhibition

Ryan O'Keeffe was the obvious exception, kicking 18 points (1-3-3) in a superb exhibition, although he was almost matched by Ireland's Steven McDonnell who kicked 14 points (0-4-2), including two crucial three-pointers in the final quarter as Ireland clawed back from a 39-30 deficit to out-score Australia 18-1 over the final ten minutes.

Australia tried to run down the clock late on but it wasn't easy to retain possession of an unfamiliar ball and Ireland were able to nudge their way back, thanks to McDonnell's two 'overs' and one each from Seán Cavanagh and Joe Bergin. It was to get better for Galway man Bergin who galloped through in the final minute before blasting to the net in his home stadium for county games.

It left the Australians stunned as they are normally so good at closing out games but, on this occasion, they lost the final quarter 19-7. They had also started sluggishly, losing the first quarter 16-4 but won the second and third segments by a 29-13 total.

Incisive

Their goal came in the third quarter when O'Keeffe had an easy finish after an incisive link-up unlocked the Irish defence.

It looked bad for Ireland when Australia, who trailed 21-14 at half-time, opened up a nine-point lead (39-30) six minutes into the last quarter but the home side dug in for a battling finish which eventually earned them victory, the extent of which was somewhat flattering.

That's why Ireland need to be extremely cautious heading into the second Test as it would be silly to believe that having come from behind the initiative is now firmly in their possession. There were times in the second and third quarters when they won very little good ball and would have been much further in arrears if the Australians' finishing had been better.

Also, the Australians will be together for the entire week which will give them an opportunity to work on problem areas, a luxury that won't be available to Seán Boylan and his Irish team.

Still, he can be extremely pleased with the manner in which his new-look squad gelled, even if the game did throw up some surprises.

It was generally assumed that Kieran Donaghy's specialist fielding talents would be ideal for International Rules but it didn't work out and he got much less game time than expected. Ronan Clarke, one of the few to do well in Australia last year, had a relatively thin time too while Seán Cavanagh's trademark industry and running game didn't come together as much as he would have liked either. Clarke and Kavanagh have done well at this game in the past and will probably come good again but the Irish camp will need to devise a more reliable method of exploiting Donaghy's height.

To achieve that, they must win more primary ball around midfield as there's no point having big men like Donaghy and Clarke inside unless they get a good service.

Inspiration

Luckily for Ireland, they were provided with consistent inspiration by captain, Kieran McGeeney, Tadhg Kennelly, Steven McDonnell, Tom Kelly and Colm Begley. Alan Brogan, Aidan O'Mahony, Graham Geraghty, Anthony Moyles and Joe Bergin had impressive periods too.

Goalkeeper Alan Quirke made a few good saves but had problems with his kicking. Surprisingly, Ireland opted for the traditional kick-out from the ground which was not a good tactic against such physically strong opposition.

Ireland will also be conscious of the need to get more power into their kicking. On several occasions, attempts for goal dropped wastefully into the hands of Australian 'keeper Dustin Fletcher.

Despite facing an eight-point deficit, the Australians will be quite confident that they can wipe it out next Sunday. The bigger Croke Park pitch will suit their running skills while they will also be hoping for a quicker start. Also, it's unlikely that big Barry Hall will be as quiet again.

He kicked two 'overs' but wasn't played into the game as often as he, or coach Kevin Sheedy, would have liked. But then Ireland have areas where they will need to improve too.

They have every reason to be pleased about the defiant manner in which they set about wiping out Australia's nine-point lead in the final quarter but will be concerned that they found themselves in that position in the first place. Because if it happens again, the visitors are likely to be more adept at defending their advantage. They are also certain to raise the intensity bar next time.

Martin Breheny

The game at a glance

Man of the match Kieran McGeeney (Ireland)

Inspiration as a captain and defensive rock throughout.

Turning Point Two quick 'overs' by Seán Cavanagh and Steven McDonnell in the final quarter cut Australia's lead to three points and gave Ireland momentum.

Talking Point How Australia got it wrong in the final quarter. They tried to play a possession game but were hustled into errors and saw a nine-point lead turn into an eight-point deficit in the space of ten minutes.

Ref watch Ireland's Pat McEneaney and Shane McInerney were the men in the middle but it was the Irish linesman David Coldrick, next week's Irish official, who was busiest on the night, stepping in to stand between a series of warring parties.

Human nature being what it is, an official will inevitably give his compatriots any tight call and so it was on Saturday night, though not to the same extent as previous years.

McInerney could have blown for an apparent push on the back of an Irish defender that led to the Australian goal and was harsh to show Kevin Reilly a yellow card in a third-quarter altercation.

Manager watch Both insist they can learn from the first Test. Seán Boylan admitted afterwards the Irish line might have used their interchange system better in the second quarter but to keep the Australians to 40 points represents the best Irish defensive performance in the series' history.

Kevin Sheedy wasn't happy with his side's time-killing tactics at the end and will work on shooting this week. Barry Hall will have to be used to better effect in Dublin.

Crowd watch For long spells the Galway crowd hadn't a lot to cheer aside from a stray dog that tried to nip the hand of Connacht Council secretary John Prenty. A number of streakers that climbed across the barriers made their mark too. At least the finish illuminated the 33,000 present.

They said Seán Boylan (Irish manager)

"They played ducks and drakes with us out there at times so we'd have to admit that we're lucky to be taking an eight-point lead into the second game. Having said that, I knew the lads would keep plugging away which they did. Full credit to them for turning it around in the end."

Kevin Sheedy (Australian manager)

"A lot of our lads are learning this game so they'll come on from this. We made a few mistakes at times and were punished for it but our players will have learned a lot from it. Everything is still to play for."

Match statistics Wides: Ireland 5; Australia 5.

Frees: Ireland 9; Australia 13.

Yellow Cards: Ireland 2 (K Reilly 44, G Geraghty 59); Australia 1 (A Davey 44)

Red Cards: None

Attendance: 33,000

Teams & Scorers Ireland: S McDonnell 0-4-2 (14); J Bergin 1-1-0 (9), G Geraghty 0-1-1 4), A Brogan 0-1-1 (4), T Kennelly 0-1-0 (3), P Barden 0-1-0 (3), C Begley 0-1-0 (3), S Cavanagh 0-1-0 (3), D Earley 0-1-0 (3), P Galvin 0-0-1 (1), B Coulter 0-0-1 (1).

Australia: R O'Keeffe 1-3-3 (18), N Davis 0-2-1 (7), B Hall 0-2-0 (6), M Lappin 0-1-1 (4), A Davey 0-1-0 (3), B Stanton 0-0-1 (1), M Voss 0-0-1 (1).

Ireland: A Quirke (Cork), K Fitzgerald (Galway), A Moyles (Meath), SM Lockhart (Derry), T Kelly (Laois), K McGeeney (Armagh), A O'Mahony (Kerry); T Kennelly (Sydney Swans and Kerry), S Cavanagh (Tyrone); P Galvin (Kerry), G Geraghty (Meath), J Bergin (Galway); S McDonnell (Armagh), R Clarke (Armagh), K Donaghy (Kerry). Interchange: P Barden (Longford), A Brogan (Dublin), C Begley (Brisbane Lions and Laois), B Coulter (Down), D Earley (Kildare), M O Se (Kerry), K Reilly (Meath.

Australia: D Fletcher; A Raines, S Fisher, C Brown; L Gilbee, A Selwood, A Schneider; R O'Keeffe, J McDonald; D Pearce, M Lappin, B Goddard; A Davey, B Hall, M Voss. Interchange: N Davis, K Simpson, C Bateman, J Sherman, R Crowley, G Johncock, B Stanton.

REFS - P McEnaney (Monaghan)/ S McInerney (Australia).