After losing the first International Rules Test in Galway last week, Australia hit back hard to claim the Cormac McAnallen Cup on aggregate score after a crushing 38-point win in the second Test at Dublin’s famed Croke Park

The sell-out crowd of over 82,000 was the highest-ever attendance at an International Rules match - and one of the largest to witness an Ireland national team at home in any sport.

Unfortunately what the crowd witnessed was the home side on the receiving end of a record 69-31 defeat as Ireland were outplayed, out-thought and out-fought by an Australian side determined not to repeat the mistakes of Galway last week.

After a war of words between the sides that promised fireworks, the first quarter was full of violence, both one-on-one and larger rolling brawls as tempers erupted. The Irish more than held their own in the fighting sense during the series, but the quarter took its toll as they lost key player Graham Geraghty with concussion and AFL star Tadgh Kennelly, who limped off in the opening seconds after a heavy collision. Kennelly returned in the second half, but was severely reduced in his movement around the ground.

For all the early violence, the fact is that the Australians completely outplayed the anaemic Irish, who lacked the creativity and aggression at the ball to combat the bigger Australians.

The Aussies had little trouble mastering the round ball and at times were deadly with their passing and accurate with their scoring. Ireland once again lapsed into their bad habit from last week of kicking long towards Australian goalkeeper Dustin Fletcher who, left unattended and unchallenged, had no trouble stopping the Irish attempts and launching the Australians on the counter-attack.