Reilly looking forward to the second test after Limerick outing

It may have lacked the intensity and rawness of past tests, but as Saturday night’s International Rules contest came to a thrilling conclusion in Limerick there was plenty to enthuse about with Meath’s Kevin Reilly playing a crucial part. Much had been spoken in the build up to this year’s International Rules series between Ireland and Australia - that the whole concept was effectively on trial over the two tests because of the many unsavoury scenes that marred past games between the two countries. Saturday’s game will have gone a long way to alleviate fears that International Rules was delving into the realms of UFC. There were few, if any, combustable situations and on the rare occasion when Carlow’s Brendan Murphy did stand up to a slight shove from an Australian opponent it passed without a handbag being swung in anger. Many argue that the lack of 'fight’ also ensured an absence of intensity and passion, but one look at the huddles before and during the game will bear witness to the pride both sets of players had donning their national colours. Representing his country is something that Navan O’Mahonys star Reilly is very proud to do and he is looking forward to doing it again next Saturday in Croke Park. “I love playing the International Rules, obviously if I didn’t like it I wouldn’t be there,” Reilly told the Meath Chronicle. “The International Rules suits my game and my physique. I like the bit of aggression to it as well and it is different and allows lads a fresh approach for the end of the year. “It is great to be able to represent Ireland. There is nothing better than lining out for your country. “We are representing our friends, family, club, county and country so it is a great feeling and a fantastic honour,” said the proud Navan O’Mahonys, Meath and Irish player. Sure the hard hitting and off-the-ball tactics were absent from last Saturday’s test and the crowd struggled to get into the occasion as the silence that emanated from the 35,000 that packed into the Gaelic Grounds was deafening at times, but that is the type of atmosphere an two-legged aggregate game can bring. Rest assured there will be no such eloquence and calmness around Croke Park next Saturday night. With just seven points between the sides Ireland will have to come out with all guns blazing if they are stop the Australians from returning Down Under with the Cormac McAnallen trophy. “We were disappointed to lose the test, but if I’m to be honest I think we got out of jail because they looked as if they would run riot. We didn’t play for large portions of the game and that left us trailing,” suggested Reilly. “I don’t know if it was nerves, but we struggled for long periods and apart from the last 10 minutes we were under pressure. We started to use our Gaelic football skills a bit more in the latter stages and that helped us especially in the forwards. “I felt the Australians were very loose at the back, but for the first-half I felt we were very nervous and didn’t take advantage of that. It was only when we threw off the shackles in the last quarter that the lads ran at them that we started to produce chances which we took.” The level of Ireland’s performance was disappointing. With five minutes remaining they trailed by 18 points as Australian captain Adam Goodes gave an exhibition in how to kick points. It looked destined that next Saturday’s meeting would be a dead rubber, then up stepped player-of-the-year Bernard Brogan. His escape from the Aussie clutches almost 50 metres from goals allowed him stretch his legs. Using his accomplished Gaelic football skills he soloed his way to Duncan Fletcher’s goals and unleashed a magnificent drive beyond the veteran Australia goalkeeper. That six-pointer gave Ireland hope. Suddenly it was as if a switch went off in their heads as they began to play football the way we know it can be played. The Australians had no answer as scores from Brogan followed by Leighton Glynn and Steven McDonnell helped close the gap to just seven points at the final hooter, 1-8-10 to 0-14-5. Prior to their explosive finish Ireland were very poor. They struggled to get out in front of their professional opponents and when they were in the clear they spilled passes as the niggling fear of a heavy tackle tickled the back of their necks. Former exponents of the Australia game, Martin Clarke, Murphy and Colm Begley, struggled, while Tommy Walsh who is currently employed by Grand finalists St Kilda in the AFL was starved of quality possession. Tadhg Kennelly worked hard and showed glimpses of why he is a star of both codes, but few players can be pleased with their overall contribution. Glynn and Dublin’s superb goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton were Ireland’s stand-out performers while Reilly can also be happy with his display as he gave a solid showing from his half-back role. Returning from such a serious back injury that ruled him out for football for almost a year, Reilly showed no ill-effects with the physicality of the game and his defensive awareness and strength in the tackle helped Ireland out of a number of potentially tricky situations. Always one to analyse his own game, Reilly was happy enough with his performance, but accepts there was room for improvement. There were aspects of the game that took Ireland a while to come to grips with, but the O’Mahonys man is proud to don the Irish jersey and is looking forward to the second test. “My back injury isn’t too bad. It has been a long year and football has taken its toll, but I have worked hard to be involved in this series so it’s not too bad,” said Reilly. “I was happy enough with parts of my own performance, but I thought my kicking was a bit wayward at times. Defensively I was happy enough with my display, but my kicking will have to improve for next Saturday. “Kicking is difficult for a number of reasons. The ball is different than what we are used to because it is not an O’Neills ball and it is slightly lighter and smaller. I know it’s totally different for the Australians, but we had to get used to the new ball too. “Collectively you are under pressure because of less time on the ball, more pressure on the kicker and the fear of being caught in a tackle and that can lead to mistakes. We are also looking for the perfect pass the whole time. We are trying to create mark chances, whereas in Gaelic football you can land a ball in front of a player. “With the calibre of lads that are on our panel, our passing should be better and that is something we will have to improve for next week,” he concluded. There were occasions when Reilly’s distribution was rushed and he didn’t find his mark, but he was certainly a bright point on what could have been a very dull evening for the Irish international Rules players.