It was a good day for the Irish players in Australia's AFL with Martin Clarke leading the way.
The Down youngster let his boots do the talking as he kicked three goals and a behind in Collingwood's 95-87 loss to Hawthorn.
Clarke, who only made his debut for Collingwood last week, took added responsibility on his young shoulders as the Magpies lost out in a thrilling match played out in front of a 50,248-strong crowd at the Telstra Dome.
The 19-year-old Irishman, once again picked as a back pocket, was one of the stars for the injury-hit 'Pies who were missing seven first choice players. He raced forward to land his goal in the second quarter and his second strike levelled the score.
But the Hawks soon moved back into the lead and they held on to maintain second place in the AFL ladder, with Collingwood remaining in fourth. In another encouraging display, the energetic Clarke had 13 kicks, six handballs, 19 disposals and six marks.
Corkman Setanta Ó hAilpín, playing in second senior season with Carlton, kicked a goal in the Blues' 173-96 hiding at the hands of Fremantle at the Subiaco Oval.
A total of 36,307 spectators watched Ó hAilpín forage forward from his centre half-back station, take a mark at the top of the square and play on to fire over a goal at the end of the first quarter.
The Blues led 34-27 after the first quarter but Fremantle kicked 14 goals between the second and third quarters to burst ahead and run out easy winners.
Now 24, Ó hAilpín made 10 kicks, five handballs, 15 disposals, three marks, 12 hit-outs and two tackles against Fremantle and has now kicked four goals in his last four games.
Another of Ireland's rising AFL stars, Laois man Colm Begley also found the target during Brisbane's 112-105 Round 13 defeat to Port Adelaide at the Gabba.
Half-back Begley scooped up a loose ball and left-footed over for a fourth quarter goal as the Lions mounted a late comeback, having trailed by 91-63 at the end of the third term.
Brisbane, who are 13th in the ladder and a place above Carlton, fought back to level the tie in front of a crowd of 22,214, yet Port clung on for the victory.
Begley's side are without a win since Round 6 but their form has improved in recent weeks.
The 20-year-old Stradbally man had seven kicks, one handball, eight disposals, four marks and one tackle against Port and has played in 12 of the Lions' 13 Premiership games this season - scoring six goals in the process.
Kerryman Tadhg Kennelly, the only Irish player to win a Premiership Grand final, continues to be sidelined by a knee injury. His Sydney Swans side lost 87-69 to table-toppers Geelong at Skilled Stadium yesterday.
