If two catches - both admittedly very difficult chances - had not been spilled, Ireland might well have defeated the MCC in this two-day match at Lurgan; in the event, the predictable draw was arguably a fairer result.

Alan Rutherford's sporting declaration at lunch gave the MCC a 245-run target to win, with an agreed 20 overs to be bowled from 3.30. Earlier, MCC skipper Neil Trestrail had declared on the overnight total of 199 for 5, and in subsequent pursuit of victory he looked very much in control until a hamstring strain hampered him; still, his was the seventh wicket to fall, as he clattered up a lively 75.

Peter Gillespie top-scored with 57 (74 balls, six fours) in Ireland's second innings, while Stephen Smyth followed his undefeated century on Wednesday with a whirlwind 38, in which he smashed seven boundaries. Paul Mooney was much more assured after his nervous international debut on the first day, and yesterday he scored an impressive 42, off 79 balls and including three fours.

When the MCC batted again, Dean Hodgson was the only batsman apart from Trestrail to find his form and he contributed a fine 58 before John Davy cleanbowled him with the score 102 for four. Kyle McCallan bowled very well, taking four for 33, among them the valuable wicket of Trestrail, after Gordon Cooke had wrecked the higher batting order to capture three for 38.

A satisfactory performance by Ireland, then, though Rutherford and his men are likely to experience a keener challenge today at Waringstown, where they take on Bangladesh in the first of the tourists' six matches over the next two weeks.