‘If we nail those chances next week we’ll have a chance’ – Geaney

PAUL GEANEY and

Killian Clarke have contrasting roles on the Irish International Rules team but they shared a common view after Sunday’s 10-point defeat by Australia in the Adelaide Oval.

They were deeply frustrated by a defeat which leaves Ireland needing to produce possibly the best performance in the 33-year history of the series to retain the Cormac McAnallen Cup.

“We’ll be chomping at the bit to have another go against them. It’s great that we have a chance to get it right,” said Geaney (above).

He was Kerry’s best forward this year but couldn’t impose himself to anything like the same degree last Sunday when his finishing fell short of his usual standards.

He managed just one ‘over’ (the equivalent of a point in Gaelic football) but, with any luck, his haul would have been much higher.

“If I nail those chances next week and other lads do the same, we’re in with a shout,” he said.

THREAT

Clarke’s test came at the other end of the pitch as part of defence which was facing a powerful and slick Australian attack where Nat Fyfe, who scored a total of 16 points, presented a threat from start to finish.

“It was tough work, especially on such a hot day,” said the Cavan man.

Like several others, Geaney and Clarke were experiencing International Rules for the first time and are certain to be the better for it.

“We all learned a lot – there’s no doubt about that. We need to make that count next Saturday,” said Geaney.

He hopes to play a bit closer to the Australian goal, enabling him to use his finishing powers to greater effect.

“The way the game went, I had to push out a small bit more and they really pressed from the back when they got the ball. They do that very well,” he said.

Clarke was also impressed by how the Aussies moved the ball, especially with their kickpassing, which was better than expected.

“They were very slick at times. They were also very good at evading tackles and wrapping us up in the tackle.

“And when they ran into traffic they used the handpass well to get free and into space. We probably let ourselves down with some of our passing – we’ll need to improve on that and we will.

“We’ll work on everything this week, look over the video analysis and tweak a few things,” he said.