Rain having ruled out any play at Eglinton on Tuesday, Ireland's annual three-day match against the MCC was altered by agreement to two one-day games, and yesterday's 50 overs encounter was won by the visitors on a faster scoring rate.

Predictably, the elements again affected the play, and when the downpour returned, Ireland were 73 for four in reply to the MCC's total of 171 all out.

However, there were some consolations for Ireland. The bowlers performed well, with Paul Mooney capturing three for 22, and keen fielding was distinguished by one especially fine catch by Matt Dwyer and by an equally impressive caught-and-bowled effort by Mooney.

And coach Ken Rutherford must have been impressed by the excellent and composed batting by Ryan Haire who was unbeaten on 31. This was an excellent international debut for the North Down man, all the more so since he had been drafted in at the last minute, after the late withdrawal of Andy Patterson.