The second test of the International Rules between Ireland and Australia takes place this Saturday at the much more pleasurable time of 8.45am. Ireland will need to claw back a ten point deficit if they are to be victorious in the series.
Last week's test was an engrossing encounter that demonstrated all the positives the series has to offer; pace, high scoring, great fielding and physicality. Here are five memorable moments to get fittingly pumped up for the second test.
5. Runaway dog
There is something enduring about the invasion of a dog onto the pitch that a human just distinctly lacks. Maybe it's the absence of clothing, which is often the case with people, but they can't intrigue the way a dog can. It's engrossing to watch their vigorous jolts after the ball, the players uncertainty about what to do, the stewards inability to capture them. Where did he come from? Does he have a ticket? In 2004 a dog gave an incredibly valiant effort, much to the delight of the commentators who dubbed him "the best defender for Ireland in this game."
4. Conor McManus Masterclass
The best Irish player last week was undoubtedly Conor McManus. The Monaghan native was sensational landing 25 points in total for Joe Kernan's men including this monster score from the sideline.
What a kick by #IRS2017 Vice-Captain & @monaghangaa star Conor McManus! Enjoy in-game and on-demand clips with GAANOW! pic.twitter.com/0wTl0QM1o7
— The GAA (@officialgaa) November 13, 2017
It's a pleasure to see McManus in full flow, particularly when afforded the space that is often denied of him when playing for Monaghan.
3. Hanley Gets Folded Twice In One Match
It's difficult to know what poor Finian Hanley did to irk the Aussies in 2008, but by god did they set after him delivering two crunching hits to the Galway man. Campbell Brown and Daniel Motlop both took a chance to deliver huge shoulders into Hanley, both times when Hanley was without the ball:
Matlop.
Brown would go on to have his career prematurely ended after breaking a team-mates jaw in a fight during a pre-season camp. Hanley had the last laugh in 2008 too as Ireland went on to claim the series.
2. The 2006 Fracas
Prior to the notorious 2006 match which threw the entire games into disrepute, the series was marred by increasingly intense schmozzles. The incidents were often dangerous and totally uncalled for, but in the case of the 2004 game it took a comical twist as we saw the commentators reaction to the players coming to blows prior to the game. Everything from Marty Morrissey being inerupted, the camera man popping his head out to get a better look (0.08) to the Australian wearing trousers makes what should be a unseemly incident hilarious. Ireland went on to hammer Australia by 36 points.
1. Sean Cavanagh Captains Ireland To 2008 Series
On the 2 March 2004 Cormac McAnallen died suddenly due to a undetected heart condition. McAnallen was only 24 at the time and was captain of the Tyrone footballers. His tragic death shocked the entire GAA community. That year the International Rules trophy was named the Cormac McAnallen Cup in his honour. In 2008, Tyrone stalwart Sean Cavanagh, a former team-mate of McAnallen, captained Ireland to a series win and poignantly got to lift the Cup.
It was an opportunity Cavanagh was delighted to get:
Obviously Cormac was a very special person and we were all delighted when the International Rules trophy was dedicated to his memory.
The second test takes place this Saturday, with throw-in at 8.45am live on RTE 2. Sean Cavanagh will be in the studio for the game.
Picture credit; Damien Eagers / SPORTSFILE
