2002 International Rules Series
| Event | International Rules Series | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Australia win series 107–100 on aggregate | |||||||
| First test | |||||||
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| Date | 13 October 2002 | ||||||
| Venue | Croke Park, Dublin, County Dublin | ||||||
| Referee | Brian White (Ireland) Scott McLaren (Australia) |
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| Attendance | 44,221 | ||||||
| Second test | |||||||
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| Date | 20 October 2002 | ||||||
| Venue | Croke Park, Dublin, County Dublin | ||||||
| Referee | Brian White (Ireland) Scott McLaren (Australia) |
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| Attendance | 71,544 | ||||||
The 2002 International Rules Series was the ninth annual International Rules Series and the fifth time a test series of international rules football has been played between Ireland and Australia since the series resumed in 1998.
The series was won by Australia, who recorded their second win in the series following a seven-point win in the first test and a draw in the second test, finishing with a superior aggregate margin of 107–100 points. This marked just the second time in the history of the series that a match had finished in a draw, whilst the attendance at Dublin's Croke Park for the second test was the highest in the history of the series at that stage.
Led by captain Shane Crawford, Australia defeated Ireland 65-58 in the first test at Croke Park. Ireland were the superior side for much of the first half, a flurry of overs from Darragh Ó Sé, Dessie Dolan, Joe Bergin and Ciaran McManus giving them a 21-10 point lead at quarter time. Tempers flared in the second quarter, with David Neitz of Australia sent off for a high shoulder charge on Ireland's Paul McGrane and an all-in-row soon followed, resulting in Evan Kelly of Ireland sent off for an undisciplined punch. An over by Derek Savage in the last minute of the quarter fired Ireland into a 38-19 advantage at half-time. Irish publication Hogan Stand reported that the Aussies looked rattled and the Irish were well on course for victory. The second half saw a complete reversal of fortunes, a sloppy kick out by Irish keeper Peter Burke was swooped on by Matthew Pavlich who ran in and duly slotted home low and hard to get the Australians within ten points. A golden missed opportunity for goal was missed by Padraig Joyce and by the end of the quarter Australia had closed the gap to two points, trailing 45-43. Forward dynamo Nathan Brown put Australia into the lead early in the final quarter with another classy over and it got worse for Ireland when Daniel Kerr scored another six-pointer after some brilliant combination play with team mates. Despite a clever high ball from Joyce resulting in a 12th-minute goal to Dessie Dolan, it was ultimately a 16th minute over from Brown of Australia which sealed the test match; the visitors winning 65-58.
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