Ireland’s All-Star full-forward line were the thorns in the side of a star-studded Australia as the home team recaptured the Cormac McAnallen Trophy in Croke Park this evening.

Watched by a 38,386 crowd, captain Bernard Brogan (13), two-goal Aidan O’Shea (15) and Conor McManus (17) contributed 45 of Ireland’s 56 points although it was far from one-way traffic after half-time.

Ireland were poorest in the third quarter when their 20-point half-time lead was almost cut in two. Nick Riewoldt was a menace, scoring seven points, as Ireland were made to pay for playing far too deep in protecting their lead.

In that 18-minute period, they kicked just seven points to Australia’s 16 points and Niall Morgan was struggling with his kick-outs having seen his opposite number Dustin Fletcher look anything but familiar in the opening two quarters.

In the final quarter, a Jarryd Roughead goal followed by a Robbie Gray over in the space of three minutes left just three between the teams with three minutes remaining.

But Ireland, through a string of marks and a Brogan behind, kept their noses in front to secure the win with Clare’s Gary Brennan one of the best on the pitch.

It was abundantly obvious from the outset that Ireland were keen to get their retaliation in first. But they were also the slicker and after a Gray over it was O’Shea who found the net after Diarmuid Connolly and McManus had combined for Brogan. The Ireland captain got a touch to the ball crossed by McManus and O’Shea was on hand to ground-kick it to the roof of the net.

Ireland lead by 12 points by the 12th minute after all three of the All-Star inside line of McManus, O’Shea and Brogan converted overs. Pushing up, the Australian full-back line were found wanting but the visitors finished the period the stronger. Full-forward giants Roughead and Riewoldt kicked overs as they put a big more respectability on the board to help make it 21-13.

Australia carried their purple patch into the opening couple of minutes of the second quarter only for O’Shea to find the net again after a shot he teed up for Brogan was saved by Fletcher. Again, Australia recovered and by the sixth minute had narrowed the margin to six points with Eddie Betts proving the most dangerous forward.

However, two Brogan overs in quick succession undid most of their good work and a second goal when a penalty was called after a nice one-two move between Paddy McBrearty and Brogan. McBrearty managed to palm the ball into the net while colliding with the post but a foul on him had been called and McManus beat Dustin Fletcher from the spot.

Australia’s lack of a goal threat was costly and they contributed a mere behind for the remainder of the game while Lee Keegan struck from distance for an over to leave it a handsome 43-23 to Ireland at the break.

Scorers for Ireland: C McManus (1-3-2) 17; A O’Shea (2-1-0) 15; B Brogan (0-4-1) 13; D Connolly (0-1-1) 4; L Keegan, D Hughes (0-1-0) 3 each; P Kerrigan (0-0-1) 1.

Scorers for Australia: N Riewoldt, R Gray (0-3-1) 10 each; J Roughead (1-1-0) 9; E Betts (0-2-2) 8; L Breust (0-1-1) 4; H Ballantyne, L Montagna, D Mundy (0-1-0) 3 each; J Stringer, T Rockliff (0-0-1) 1 each.

IRELAND: N Morgan (Edendork, Tyrone), C Begley (Parnells (Dublin), Laois), G Brennan (Clondegad, Clare), B Brogan (St Oliver Plunkett’s Eoghan Ruade, Dublin), E Cadogan (Douglas, Cork), D Connolly (St Vincent’s, Dublin), P Cribbin (Johnstownbridge, Kildare), M Donnelly (Trillick, Tyrone), E Doyle (Naas, Kildare), P Harte (Errigal Ciarán, Tyrone), D Hughes (Scotstown, Monaghan), L Keegan (Westport, Mayo), P Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers, Cork), P McBrearty (Kilcar, Donegal), J McCaffrey (Clontarf, Dublin), C McDonald (Aherlow Gaels, Tipperary), P McMahon (Ballymun Kickhams, Dublin), C McManus (Clontibret, Monaghan), R O’Carroll (Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin), J O’Loughlin (St Brigid’s (Dublin), Laois), A O’Shea (Breaffy, Mayo), M Quinn (Emmet Óg Killoe, Longford), D Walsh (Cromane, Kerry).

AUSTRALIA: D Fletcher (Essendon), H Ballantyne (Fremantle), E Betts (Adelaide Crows), G Birchall (Hawthorn), L Breust (Hawthorn), P Dangerfield (Geelong Cats), A Gaff (West Coast Eagles), B Goddard (Essendon), R Gray (Port Adelaide), D Heppell (Essendon), L Hodge (Hawthorn), S Mitchell (Hawthorn), L Montagna (St Kilda), D Mundy (Fremantle), R Murphy (Western Bulldogs), N Riewoldt (St Kilda), T Rockliff (Brisbane Lions), J Roughead (Hawthorn), N Smith (Sydney Swans), J Stringer (Western Bulldogs), H Taylor (Geelong Cats), E Wood (Western Bulldogs).

Umpires: J McQuillan (Cavan), M Nicholls (Victoria).