Captain Adam Goodes put Australia on course to regain the Cormac McAnallen trophy with a standout performance in Saturday night's seven-point victory over Ireland in their International Rules series opener.

The Sydney Swans star scored four overs as the tourists held on against a fast-finishing Irish side, winning 0.14.5 (47) to 1.8.10 (40) at the Gaelic Grounds on a cool, clear evening.

The Australians dominated the match in front of a crowd of more than 30,000 in Limerick and led by 18 points in the final term before Bernard Brogan sparked his side with a fine running goal.

The second and final match is next Saturday at Dublin's Croke Park, with the series winner to be decided on for and against if it is tied up at 1-1.

Ireland manager Anthony Tohill said his side's final flurry had kept them in the series but he lamented their inaccuracy in front of goal.

"It is like a team ... getting a draw, we are still in this half way through that fourth quarter we had no right to still be in his contest because of the way we played," he said.

"But due to the spirit the boys showed and the football we played in the second half of that final quarter we are still in this contest."

Tireless Western Bulldogs midfielder Daniel Cross played a key role in the win, picking up plenty of possessions and contributing with two overs.

Dane Swan was also good for Australia, picking up 33 touches just three weeks after celebrating Collingwood's triumph in the AFL grand final replay.

Todd Banfield and Leigh Montagna also made telling contributions during the contest.

For the Irish, goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton was brilliant, combining his fine work at the back with plenty of adventurous running down the field.

Brogan lifted his side while Leighton Glynn was also excellent.

Glynn may not be quite so strong by next weekend as Saturday night was the opening night of three straight sporting fixtures in three different counties for him.

Mick Malthouse's men are on goodwill mission this year after the physical treatment dished out by the Australians in the 2006 series in Ireland almost buried the concept.

The tourists started the match tentatively before finding their way with Goodes opening the scoring, and they skipped out to a 12-5 lead before taking a three-point edge at the first break.

Tadhg Kennelly started making his presence felt for the Irish, the Swans defender in everything in the second term, but the home side was guilty of being wasteful in front of the goals.

Goodes kept on presenting while teammates Jack Riewoldt and Matthew Boyd found the round ball tough work throughout the match with some wayward shots for goal.

Banfield stretched the advantage to 0.7.0 (21) to 0.3.7 (16) after the halftime siren before Montagna started and ended his side's run of three goals in two minutes in the third term as Australia grabbed a 10-point edge heading into the final quarter.

A spectator provided some light relief during the main break, by running onto the pitch with only a coat on and spending plenty of time showing off to the crowd before eventually exiting the field.

Australia cruised to an 18-point lead before Brogan's goal inspired his side to finish strongly.

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