Gallagher superb as Ireland win

Those who doubted the credentials of David Gallagher for the number one position as Ireland"s goalkeeper for the International Rules Series were emphatically answered on Friday last when the Dunboyne man starred in the 45-44 victory over Australia at the Subiaco in Perth. Ireland started last Friday"s first test against the Australians as underdogs. Never in the history of the hybrid game had Ireland recorded a victory in Perth and so it was more in anticipation than confidence that the contest got underway. Prior to the game Sean Boylan informed Ger Canning that his first wish was for a fair game and then a win, he got both. The only blot on an excellent sporting copybook was Campbell Brown"s atrociously late challenge on Finian Hanley that earned the Aussie a yellow card. The game had a real Meath flavour to it with Boylan"s backroom team of Frank Foley, Dr Owen Clarke and Eoin Lynch being joined by the managers three sons Ciaran, Sean and Daragh along the sidelines who acted as waterboys. It was a hugely entertaining game, made all the better by Ireland"s narrow victory. The contest swayed from one side"s favour to the other. With the wind at their backs in the first and third quarters Ireland were in charge, but Australia had their moments when the elements favoured them. Ireland also struggled with the tackle as the Australian"s hit them 34 times to Ireland"s nine tackles. It has long been pointed out that goals are crucial in this game and especially to Ireland, who should be more adept at getting the six-pointers, and that is how it transpired. Both Meath players, Gallagher and Kevin Reilly, started and played significant roles in the victory. Reilly had a solid game and was tough in the tackle, but surrendered possession on a few occasions. Gallagher was a contender for man-of-the-match after saving Matt Campbell"s terrible first-quarter penalty and then doing well to divert Mark Murphy"s goalbound effort over the bar for three points. Those saves alone justified Gallagher"s selection and brought great praise from Kieren McGeeney, Martin Carney and Michael Lyster on the RTE panel. Ireland didn"t use their GAA attributes to the full. Cavanagh managed Ireland"s only over in the opening quarter, while the hosts notched just one behind in a tentative opening. The second-quarter belonged to the Australians with Matt Campbell opening the scoring before Paddy Bradley responded and Glynn fired an excellent goal to make it 18-4 to Ireland. After that goal Australia hit four successive overs to ensure parity at half-time, 19-19, but it could have been worse were it not for Gallagher"s heroics. In the third-quarter Cavanagh and Steven McDonnell grabbed goals for Ireland as the visitors moved into a 41-28 lead. However, in the closing quarter Ireland were hanging on with Glynn"s over their only score of the last 20 minutes. Ireland held on for the one-point victory and now it is on to Melbourne for the second test this Friday. Aggregate scores will decide who wins the Cormac McAnallen Cup and with the Australians sure to improve from another week together they will be favourites, but never underestimate the spirit of the Irish. Next Friday morning"s game will throw-in at 8.45 Irish time.