Ireland recovered to narrow the gap to 6 points at half time (28-22) yet gifted a start to Australia in the third quarter when Blake Caracella was left virtually unmanned in the attacking sector to latch on to a rebound off the post and knock it into the net for the game's first six pointer.

Ireland then ran away with an unassailable lead six minutes into the final quarter, Brendan Devenney scoring a fine over before a remarkable solo goal from Kieran McGeeney which began with a 40-yard run from his own half and ended with a terrible flap from Australian keeper Simon Goodwin.

Ireland made their move in the third quarter, Kennelley and Devenney scoring two overs apiece to stretch the margin which would have been much more if not for a fine Goodwin save to deny Seamus Moynihan.

In the final, an all-in melee erupted for several minutes which resulted in Crowley and Hardwick each being binned, though it failed to dampen the speed and skill of both teams who traded successive overs.

[6] Matthew Lloyd was the winner of the Jim Stynes Medal for Australia and Darren Fay, who played a relentless role in defence was Player of the Series for Ireland.