There are many who don't like it, some see it as troublesome or even dangerous, but those who have kept faith in it and worked hard to keep the International Rules Series alive got their just rewards thanks to the magnificence of Sean Boylan and his side in Perth and Melbourne in late October writes Brendan Boylan. And it was appropriate that Boylan was at the helm for what was undoubtedly the most important Series since the inception of links between the GAA and their Australian counterparts. Peter McDermott's Meath team venturing Down Under as outgoing All Ireland Champions in 1968 was where it all began. Also, it was a motion from Pat O'Neill of the St Colmcille's Club that brought about the hybrid game. To top it off, Colm O'Rourke became the first man to lead an Irish group - captained by John McDermott - to win a Series away from home and thus complete back to back triumphs in 1998 and 1999. Yet, the targeting and treatment of a certain other Meath man when last the two countries came together in 2006 almost killed the concept off altogether. But, as was written in the days after witnessing the horrific state Graham Geraghty was left in, the feeling always was that the will of the vast majority of the players could overcome the thuggish tendencies of an idiotic minority and still give International Rules a future. Much work was undertaken by Boylan and many others one suspects to make sure it happened. Jibes were cast that it was only a watered down version of what it once was and things had thus gone lopsidedly in favour of the Irish. Apart from the fact that both these assertions were unfair and untrue, the bottom line remains that it's the players on both sides that want these jousts more than anyone. Of course measures had to be put in place to ensure that there was no repeat of the violence that engulfed Croke Park on November 5th two years ago. Better to do that though than scrap the idea altogether. By the early hours of November 1st 2008 in the southern hemisphere it could be declared that the revised version of the hybrid game was a resounding success following two magnificent sporting spectacles which hopefully guaranteed that the much talked about and scorned upon International side of things for our top exponents of Gaelic Football is here to stay. It's worth pointing out too that while the reduction in playing time by eight minutes would obviously favour those who were the visitors on this occasion, the limitation of the hand pass, the nature of the tackle in the code and the inter change concept would still be far more familiar to Mick Malthouse's men, so all in all things were fairly balanced. After the way things had been progressing in clashes between Ireland and Australia, the importance of things going right for Sean Boylan, Eoin Liston, Hugh Kenny, Anthony Tohill and their players cannot be overstated. Not just in a disciplinary sense either. For things to remain competitive, the stranglehold the stars of the AFL had on the Cormac McAnallen Cup had to be loosened. As usual, the mercurial medicine man had a trick or two in the potion pot when it came to preparations. Namely, enlisting the help of Irish Rugby legend Trevor Brennan and that of Mike McGurn who is well decorated in the coaching department in both codes across the water to give our players a better grounding - no pun intended - in the tackle required for the job at hand. Having observed a few of the sessions which took place in the manager's home club, there was little doubt that the gulf where the Australians had always held such an advantage would be bridged considerably this time around. Unquestionably the biggest bolt from the green and white and orange Boylan came up on this occasion was when it came to the selection of the final panel to travel. Such things always generate much debate and controversy. Seldom if ever though was there as much commentary and negativity about any player's inclusion than that of David Gallagher. The old dictum about never being a poet among ones' own people was constantly in the mind. What many mightn't realise is that for one thing there was nobody more surprised than Boylan's fellow clubman when he got the call. David was supposed to be pouring concrete with his father, Paddy, on the first morning Boylan brought a panel of players together in Dunboyne. Secondly, he was actually ideally suited to the goalkeeping position in International Rules owing to the fact that he is an outstanding full back for St Peter's, Dunboyne as well as having played in goal with distinction for club and county before injury and other circumstances curtailed his involvement with the latter in recent years. Something extra other than a conventional goalkeeper is required when taking on those from the other side of the world. Gallagher seemed, and turned out to be, the ideal man for the job. Seeing 'David who'? emblazoned in so many places in the lead up to the two Tests was as much an insult to the 1999 All Ireland winner as it was difficult for many to take. But, by the time the Series had been successfully concluded, nobody had to ask the identity of Irelands Number One! After a monotonous opening quarter in Perth that must surely have had the doubters, knockers and those believing the current incarnation is diluted compared to that of old well sated, the man in green led by 9 points to 1 with Captain Sean Cavanagh, Benny Coulter and newcomer Leighton Glynn of Wicklow in particular prominent in attack. At the other end the custodian didn't take long to prove his worth when saving Matt Campbell's admittedly poorly taken penalty before the first turn around. When things did resume, the fare improved dramatically with the pocket powerhouse Glynn drilling to the net to leave the tourists 15 clear. The locals then hit a purple patch to register exactly that amount to tie the scores 19 each with 36 minutes left. Were it not for the brilliance of David Gallagher in ensuring Marc Murphy got three points rather than six in stoppage time before the longest break the picture may have looked a lot different. In Australian Rules Football, the third period is always known as 'moving quarter'. Traditionally, it has also been the time when the teams from here began to struggle as the professionalism and familiarity with the longer playing period stood to their opponents. Cynics will again say it was down to matters being tailored to suit Sean Boylan and his troops, but, whatever the reason, it was actually they who were in complete control in the third 18 minutes. Sean Cavanagh scored a goal - worth six points on this stage - the likes of which would have people raving if it were here - and Steven McDonnell also netted in far less attractive fashion to leave them and their colleagues in what seemed an unassailable position, with a 41-24 cushion at the last change of ends. Whether the Australians didn't expect and were therefore stunned by Ireland's explosion or not we'll never know, but, the conclusion of the game took on a worryingly familiar look as Malthouse's charges outscored Boylan's by 20 points to four - and looked far more adept at kicking what would be points in our game than the GAA stars - and in so doing reduced the deficit to the minimum, 45 to 44, a week before matters moved to Melbourne. Much of the build up to Act Two was predictable: teams only finding each other out Australia not properly tuned in, backlash expected Ireland not far enough in front, chance gone. To be fair, when the action did get under way in the MCG it appeared from the perspective of Boylan et al as if events were indeed going to unfortunately unfold as many had predicted. The commanding lead was only made possible when David Gallagher had to empty the net for the first time in the Series. As with many teams in the herbalist's care in the past though, Sean Cavanagh inspired his colleagues to whittle down the lead (12-15) with three quarters of the contest remaining with the mighty man from Moy accounting for the entire dozen thanks to four overs. Once a team gets on a run it can be very hard to stop them and that's how it transpired - in two ways - as firstly cracking goals from Kieran Donaghy and Enda McGinley left those endeavoring to reclaim the trophy clear by 36 to 21 at half time. When a further 'major' from Benny Coulter and monstrous over from Donaghy left the tallies reading 50 to 31 at the three quarter stage, the only outcome that seemed possible was that the trophy which commemorates the late Tyrone legend McAnallen was heading back whence it came. But then the Australians enjoyed what looked like a decisive spell of dominance. The cynics were probably preparing to have a field day when Daniel Petrie beat Gallagher for the second time and then Shaun Burgoyne did likewise in stoppage time which that if it were to happen again the spoils would be retained rather than reclaimed. It's hard to know where to begin to quantify the significance of this Irish win. For one thing, it stopped the rot as regards Australia winning and thus kept the hybrid game competitive. It was most fitting that it should be Sean Cavanagh who skippered the nation to this victory. Not only because of the superb season himself and his Tyrone team mates enjoyed but also because the trophy is, after all, commemorating his late, great friend and former colleague. Without doubt however, the most important thing to be taken from International Rules 2008 is that the smooth and sporting manner in which things ran off guaranteed the future of the concept with plans already in place for up to and including 2012. How fitting it will indeed be that the stars of the GAA and AFL will get to showcase their talents on the International stage in an Olympic year. In the meantime, roll on 2009 at Croke Park! Tweet

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