2004 International Rules Series
| Event | International Rules Series | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| 132-82 on aggregate, Ireland win series 2-0 | |||||||
| First test | |||||||
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| Date | 17 October 2004 | ||||||
| Venue | Croke Park, Dublin, County Dublin | ||||||
| Referee | Michael Collins (Ire) Stephen McBurney (Aus) |
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| Attendance | 46,370 | ||||||
| Second test | |||||||
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| Date | 24 October 2004 | ||||||
| Venue | Croke Park, Dublin, County Dublin | ||||||
| Referee | Michael Collins (Ire) Stephen McBurney (Aus) |
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| Attendance | 60,235 | ||||||
The 2004 International Rules Series was the 11th annual International Rules Series and the seventh 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 Ireland, who won both test matches by comfortable margins and recorded their sixth overall series victory. The series was the first to be played under the new trophy name of the Cormac McAnallen Cup, after the Tyrone team captain, whose death that year from a heart condition came after he had represented Ireland in the previous three series.
Garry Lyon returned for what would be his fourth and final series as coach of the Australian side, whilst Pete McGrath replaced John O'Keefe as manager of Ireland. The Australian selection panel was forced into many last minute team changes, with 17 of the original 24 selected players drawn largely from the All-Australian team forced to withdraw due to injury or fatigue. Regardless, it remained a very strong line-up, with 18 of the 26-man squad finishing in the top six of their club's best-and-fairest count that year. Australia warmed up for the series with an impressive 14-point win over a Dublin clubs side, winning 55-41.
The first test match at Croke Park was dominated by Ireland, with a hat-trick of overs from Dessie Dolan and some brilliant combination play between Stephen McDonnell and Benny Coulter resulting in a goal to the latter helping Ireland take a 28-5 lead at quarter time, the Australians lacking the familiar physical touch they had come to be renowned for. Trailing 36-10 mid-way through the second quarter, the Australian cause was left in dire straits when Mattie Forde cut through the middle like knife through butter before skilfully slipping the ball along the ground past the diving Mal Michael in the Australia goal. Ireland led 43-13 at half time. A more competitive Australian side emerged from the tunnel after half time, and two early overs from Nathan Brown and Nick Riewoldt narrowed the margin slightly. Ireland responded with overs of their own from Padraig Joyce and Dolan again, yet the decisive moment came with a goal to Joyce which left the visitors trailing 57-31, only moments after a Nathan Brown Australian goal appeared to get the visitors back in the contest. Although the likes of James Hird and Jason Johnson tried hard for Australia in the midfield and managed some consolation overs, it was the Irish players who ran out the game better, overs going to Sean Cavanagh and Tadgh Kennelly to conclude at 77-41 in Ireland's favour.
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