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Welcome to The42‘s coverage of this evening’s International Rules Test between Ireland and Australia at Croke Park.
Both teams are littered with top stars, and we’ve picked six to watch.
There’s plenty to ponder before the two teams collide. Read our big game talking points here.
Down through the years, the series has been pockmarked by violence but Ireland boss Joe Kernan doesn’t believe that will be the case this time. Read his views here.
We’ll be back with further updates before the start of the game.
Ireland have won the shinty international against Scotland 16-14. We’ll have a report from that game shortly.
You can now read our match report from this evening’s shinty international here.
Here is everything you need to know about this evening’s one-off Test.
There’s been a moment’s silence to mark the 95th anniversary of Bloody Sunday and to honour the memory of those who lost their lives in the recent Paris terror attacks.
Nice touch from the FAI to pass on their best wishes to the Ireland team ahead of the game.
Australia win the toss.
And we’re underway at Croke Park, with Ireland attacking the Davin End in the first quarter.
4 quarters of 18 minutes each ahead of us.
2′ Australia 3 Ireland 0 Robbie Gray takes a mark and registers an over.
GOAL for Ireland!
4′ Ireland 6 Australia 3 Aidan O’Shea pounces on a breaking ball and finds the net for Ireland.
5th min: Ireland 9 Australia 3 Fantastic long-range over scored by Diarmuid Connolly for Ireland.
8th min: Ireland 12 Australia 3 Conor McManus extends Ireland’s lead with a three-pointer.
12 min: Ireland 15 Australia 6 Aidan O’Shea stretches Ireland’s lead.
13 min: Ireland 18 Australia 6 Now it’s captain Bernard Brogan with a three-pointer, very impressive stuff from the hosts.
16 min: Ireland 18 Australia 9 Jarryd Roughead takes a fine mark and kicks three points.
17 min: Ireland 18 Australia 12 The Australians beginning to settle and Nick Riewoldt kicks an over.
17 min: Ireland 21 Australia 12 Bernard Brogan leading by example with another over for Ireland.
End of first quarter: Ireland 21 Australia 13
Niall Morgan with a brilliant save just before the end of the first quarter, diverting the ball for a behind. Impressive first quarter from Ireland but Australia grew into the game.
19 min: Ireland 21 Australia 14 Australia open the second quarter with a behind.
20 min: Ireland 21 Australia 17 The Aussies right back in it as they kick an over.
GOAL for Ireland!
21 min: Ireland 27 Australia 17 Aidan O’Shea nets his second goal of the night.
22 min: Australia 27 Australia 20 Eddie Betts replies with an over for Australia.
24 min: Ireland 27 Australia 21 Betts off target this time but registers a behind nonetheless.
25 min: Ireland 30 Australia 21 Bernard Brogan with another over.
26 min: Ireland 33 Australia 21 Bernard Brogan is on fire as he slots over another three-pointer, his fourth of the night.
28 min: Ireland 34 Australia 21 Conor McManus registers a behind (one point).
29 min: Ireland 34 Australia 22 Another behind for Australia.
GOAL for Ireland!
31 min: Ireland 40 Australia 22 Conor McManus slots home Ireland’s third goal, from a penalty.
35 min: Ireland 40 Australia 23 Luke Breust with a behind for Australia
36 min: Ireland 43 Australia 23 Three-pointer for Mayo’s Lee Keegan.
Half-time: Ireland 43 Australia 23.
That’s been an impressive first half from Ireland, who are far more clinical with their scoring opportunities. Bernard Brogan leading the way with four overs, two goals for Aidan O’Shea and that Conor McManus penalty.
O’Shea’s been a tower of strength for Ireland, with his performance drawing praise from Australian commentators also.
37 min: Ireland 44 Australia 23 Ireland kick off the third quarter with a Conor McManus behind.
39 min: Ireland 44 Australia 26 Robbie Gray with an over for Australia
41 min: Ireland 44 Australia 29 David Mundy with an Australian over
Good start to the third quarter for Australia, who regard this period of the game as the ‘moving quarter’. They’re making headway here.
42 min: Ireland 47 Australia 29 Conor McManus settles Ireland with an over after taking a mark in loads of space.
45 min: Ireland 50 Australia 29 Excellent Ireland over scored by Monaghan’s Darren Hughes.
44 min: Ireland 50 Australia 32 Luke Breust with an over for the Aussies.
45 min: Ireland 50 Australia 33 Nick Riewoldt with an Australian behind when an over was there for the taking.
49 min: Ireland 50 Australia 36 Riewoldt makes amends with an Australian over, he’s been one of their standout players.
51 min: Ireland 50 Australia 39 That man Riewoldt takes another superb mark and kicks an over.
Ireland need to hang on here until three-quarter time as the Aussies have been dominant in this period of the game.
End of third quarter: Ireland 50 Australia 39
Ireland’s 20-point half-time lead has been whittled down to 11 heading into the final quarter.
Almost five minutes into the final quarter and still awaiting the opening score.
Australia still chasing an 11-point deficit.
60 min: Ireland 51 Australia 39 Paul Kerrigan ends the scoring drought with a behind for Ireland.
62 min: Ireland 51 Australia 40 Another missed opportunity for Australia as Betts pulled his effort wide for a behind or one point
63 min: Ireland 51 Australia 43 Australia narrow the gap as Robbie Gray scores an over
65 min: Ireland 54 Australia 43 Conor McManus hits the crossbar and the ball flies over.
66 min: Ireland 55 Australia 43 Diarmuid Connolly registers a behind, that’s four quickfire points for Ireland.
GOAL for Australia!
68 min: Ireland 55 Australia 49 The Aussies within a goal now as Eddie Betts is credited with the six-pointer for the visitors.
Four minutes remaining in the final quarter.
69 min: Ireland 55 Australia 52 Australia register another over from Robbie Gray and they’re within striking distance.
Less than a minute remaining.
71 min: Ireland 56 Australia 52 Bernard Brogan with a crucial behind (one point).
Full-time: Ireland 56 Australia 52
The Cormac McAnallen Cup is staying in Ireland!
That’s it from us this evening, thanks for reading.
