PERTH, Australia, June 24 (Reuters) - Australia continued their winning start under new coach John Connolly with a tricky but ultimately comfortable 37-15 victory over Ireland at the Subiaco Oval on Saturday.

Buoyed by a 2-0 series whitewash of England, Australia ran in five tries to two to make it three wins out of three under Connolly while Ireland visibly tired after their two test defeats by the All Blacks in recent weeks.

But Ireland gave Australia the test England never mustered in a thrilling, open game that went conclusively the Wallabies' way only in the final 20 minutes.

"We knew they would compete really hard, and we got the results of our hard work in the second half," skipper George Gregan said in a televised interview.

"We knew they were going to throw caution to the wind and they scored two really good tries but we kept our heads and got back into it."

Irish skipper Brian O'Driscoll admitted his side tired after the hour mark.

"All three tests have been hard but we felt we had the chance to take a scalp here but we obviously have a long way to go. We did a huge amount of defending and that takes its toll."