Sean Cavanagh was ruing the fact that this year's International Rules series was reduced to a single test after Ireland's stirring comeback fell short on Saturday.

The Tyrone star claims the Irish would have fancied their chances of making up the 10-point deficit (56-46) if there had been a second test.

"Probably the most disappointing thing is that in previous series, we would have had another chance to go to Melbourne and compete. We probably would have improved in the second test, the travelling team usually do.

"It's just disappointing that it all ends here."

Cavanagh admitted that the tourists were staring at a humiliating defeat when they trailed by 35-7 at half-time.

"At least we restored some pride in GAA because at half-time, we were 30 points down and playing like we had never seen a round ball before. It didn't look good. It brought me back to 2005 out here, it just looked like we were going to get whitewashed.

"We went out in the first quarter with a game plan to try and compete but we were panicky in possession. We almost looked fearful at times of playing our own game. I think at times we tried to compete with the Aussies in their game.

"At half-time we said: 'There's nothing to lose here, we'll throw caution to the wind, we'll play Gaelic football, we'll play what we're good at.' We supported the ball, we settled down in our kicking and things started to work."

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