IRELAND will hold a slender one-point lead going into the second Compromise Rules test in Melbourne on Friday after a narrow 45-44 win over Australia in Perth.

The visitors had led by 17 points at one stage in last weekend's opening game, but Australia began to adapt to the game and clawed their way back into contention.

"We are pleased with a one-point victory but look at the way Australia came back at us in the last quarter. But for a little bit of luck it could have been a one-point defeat," said Ireland boss Sean Boylan. "We have a lot of work to do for next week."

The game was played at a fast but fair pace in front of 40,000 spectators, with Boylan happy to praise the spirit of the encounter after recent problems and the large Irish support.

"Come next week, win or lose, so long as it's played the way it was tonight there's a great future for the series for years to come," added Boylan.

"The pace of that game on Friday night was unreal. The Tyrone and Kerry lads who have experience of All-Ireland finals in recent years were amazed by it.

"We'll recharge the batteries and then get back into the serious business of trying to be ready for Friday night."

As for the Irish fans Boylan added, "It was lovely to hear the Irish fans and have them there. We are so grateful to them, people who have come great distances from all over Australia."

Ireland captain Sean Cavanagh also praised the peaceful efforts of both sides.

He said, "There were good physical hits out there but the main thing is that there was some fantastic football from both sides. I am looking forward to the game in Melbourne already.

"We were actually expecting Australia to come at us in the third quarter. We really put an awful lot of effort into that and we got a good lead, maybe ran out of steam a little bit in the fourth quarter.

"Fair play to Australia for coming back at us, they played some great football. I just can't wait for next week. The atmosphere here was fantastic. It definitely gave a great boost to the players. It was unreal."

Wicklow forward Leighton Glynn was one of the stars of the show on his Irish debut, scoring three points with captain Cavanagh top scorer on 13 points.

"We were starting at 100 miles an hour, when you are coming in you just have to go for it," revealed the goal scorer. "It's twice as quick as Gaelic football.

"I enjoyed the tackling. We did a tremendous amount of work with Mick McGurn and it has really helped. At the start we were rushing into tackles but Mick showed us how to slow down, make a few steps and then hit.

"Of course there are things we have to improve on. We kicked in a few long balls when shorter balls might have been better. We can improve on our passing too.

"We didn't play as well in the final quarter but we played good football in the third quarter. It's only halftime in the series. We'll do a bit of work during the week and hopefully we can nick it."

Australian captain Brent Harvey wants his team to improve their goal scoring ability in Friday's second test after they failed to find the back of the net in the opening game when Ireland landed three goals.

"Ireland kicked three goals so if we can get one or two it's going to make it a lot more even," said Harvey.

"We've got a couple of big guys in Drew Petrie and Shaun Burgoyne so if we can get the ball up in the air and they can do some work up there, it would be a huge advantage for us.

"We'll have to look at kicking goals and I'm sure we will come up with a little plan."

There was only one unsavory incident of note when Australia's Campbell Brown was yellow carded for a shoulder charge on Finian Hanley 10 minutes from time but no further action will be taken against the Aussie vice-captain.

Donegal Dispute

DONEGAL are no closer to confirming the name of their new county football manager after a major internal dispute.

Charlie Mulgrew and Declan Bonner were announced as the new joint managers two weeks ago, but that appointment is now up in the air.

The Donegal County Board have subsequently claimed that John Joe Doherty will take on the role, but now Mulgrew and Bonner are to meet with officials following complaints from the senior squad about Doherty's alleged appointment.

Donegal captain Kevin Cassidy summed up the feeling within the squad when he accused the county board of making a mess of the appointment.

Cassidy said, "There comes a time when you have to stand up and ask serious questions. If you wanted to mess things up you couldn't have messed things up any better. It seems Donegal always wants to do its dirty washing in public."

McGinn's Ban

TYRONE club boss Noel McGinn can expect a minimum 12 month ban after he was caught on camera assaulting an opposition player at the end of normal time as his Dromore side lost to Clonoe after extra-time in Sunday's county final.

"I was very disappointed with myself, with the incident that happened at the end of the match," said former Tyrone player McGinn.

"I know exactly what I did and I am going to have to take full responsibility for that, but in no way should the club suffer. It was a silly thing, and somebody of my experience should have known better, and I want to apologize to the Clonoe club.

"Clonoe fully deserved their victory and I have no doubt they will represent Tyrone very effectively in the Ulster Club Championship."

Cork Bosses

GERARD McCarthy and Conor Counihan have been confirmed as Cork's hurling and football managers for 2009, but McCarthy is already under severe pressure to hang onto his job.

Several senior Cork hurlers have intimated that they will walk away from the county squad in protest at McCarthy's appointment for another two years.

McCarthy is refusing to give in to player power, however. He told Cork's Evening Echo, "My position is simply this - I am the Cork hurling manager and I am determined to carry out my duty to the best of my ability next season, and hopefully beyond.

"My task at the moment is to construct a selection committee for the new season and I hope to be in a position to announce those names very shortly."

Kerry Favorite

JACK O'Connor is now the firm favorite to be appointed as Kerry manager once the county championship is complete.

The former Kingdom boss has already held informal talks about a return to the job he resigned from in 2006.

With Sean Geaney the latest candidate to rule himself out of the job, the way is now set for All-Ireland winner O'Connor to resume.

O'Connor is currently involved with the Kerins O'Rahilly's club as they look to qualify for the county final after drawing last weekend's semifinal against South Kerry.

Once the championship is decided it is believed he will be in a position to take on the Kerry job again.

GAA Shorts

SKRYNE'S Colm O'Rourke and Liam Hayes have both been nominated as Meath start the search for a new football team manager all over again. Eamonn Barry, Dudley Farrell, Sean Kelly, Damien Sheridan and favorite Eamonn O'Brien are also back in the running . . .

FORMER Ireland rugby coach Eddie O'Sullivan, a resident of the county, could be asked to help the Galway County Board in their search for Ger Loughnane's replacement as hurling team boss . . .

THE Dublin county board has approached Kilkenny legend D.J. Carey with an offer to manage their senior hurling squad . . .

JOHN O'Mahony is to stay on as manager of the Mayo senior football team for another two years . . .

PASCAL Kellaghan has retired from the Offaly senior football team after 10 years with the squad . . .

ANTRIM have appointed Derryman Liam Bradley as their football team boss.