World Lacrosse is celebrating five of the best international lacrosse games in 2024 to close out the year.
Ireland and Australia put on a timeless fourth quarter in the first round of the playoffs at the 2024 World Lacrosse Men’s Box Championship.
Both teams had won their pools with an undefeated record and were looking to advance to the quarterfinals after missing out on that stage in 2019.
Australia held off Scotland, 21-7, in the play-in round a day before and was firing on all cylinders against and Ireland team that had not allowed more than five goals in a game yet.
What followed was playoff clash to remember, as the two teams traded dazzling displays of creativity and shotmaking in a breathless contest.
Australia started the game on a 4-0 run and led 5-3 at halftime. Ireland clawed back with a three goal run in the third quarter to tie the game at 6-6.
The two teams then traded five rapid goals in four minutes as Australia led 9-8 a minute into the fourth.
Australia put its nose in front 11-9 in the fourth quarter with seven minutes to , but Ireland exploded for a three-goal run in less than two minutes to grab the 12-11 lead.
The last five minutes featured expert game management, a frantic Australian push for an equalizer, and a few crucial saves from goalkeeper Devlin Shanahan as Ireland held on for the one-goal win.
