The Aussies were getting frustrated.
Ireland got off to a flying start in the second and defining test of this year’s International Rules series in Perth.
Trailing by ten points after last Sunday’s First Test in Adelaide, Joe Kernan’s side started as they meant to go on in the last game to ever take place at the Domain Stadium in Perth.
Gary Brennan scored a smashing first goal, after some good work from Darren Hughes and Michael Murphy.
The Clareman was instrumental in Ireland’s second six-pointer of the day as well, when he laid on an inviting pass for Mayo’s Chris Barrett to rattle the net for his side’s second time in the space of an explosive two minute period.
Ireland went into the dressing room with a seven point lead, on a scoreline of 17-10 after that first quarter, and they kept this momentum going in the second.
This was expected to be a sell-out https://t.co/Ll5Sq22nAS
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 18, 2017
Conor McManus was swinging that iconic right leg of his, and was unerringly accurate both from placed balls and from open play.
The Irish went into the half-time break with a 30-17 lead on the day, which gave them a 3 point lead in the Test Series on aggregate.
The Aussies were becoming visibly frustrated in this half, however, and hit the Irish players with some violent late hits.
Chris Barrett was hit with a sickening late tackle, which inevitably lead to a black card to Australia’s Selwood.
High challenge on Barrett sees Selwood get a black card. pic.twitter.com/C06jmrJ6mO
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) November 18, 2017
This kicked it all off, with some more rough hits coming in from the Aussies.
With this bad blood between the sides, it was no surprise when it boiled over into an almighty scrap upon the referee’s half-time whistle.
The teams get into a confrontation following the half-time whistle in the International Rules. Second half coming up @rte2 pic.twitter.com/aAS8kjSAyy
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) November 18, 2017
Marty Morrissey couldn’t believe his eyes, while many television viewers were lapping it all up.
Both sides are taking it seriously, and there’s no harm in seeing this.
Ireland’s lead was pegged back in the third quarter, with the Aussies getting into their rhythm, and we now face a three point aggregate deficit going into the final quarter.
