CRICKET - European Championships: A fine bowling performance by Ireland gave them an easy win over minnows Italy in the European Championships in Glasgow yesterday, meaning a win today over the Netherlands in Ayr will secure an overall victory.

The wickets were shared between Paul Mooney, Boyd Rankin, David Langford-Smith and John Mooney as the Italians struggled with Ireland's seam attack. Italy, who have a long way to go to be competitive, were skittled for 79.

Langford-Smith continued his good form in this tournament so far with figures of 3 for 7 off five overs while John Mooney was even more impressive with 3 for 5 off nine. Paul Mooney (2-28) and Rankin (2-23) also did damage with wicket-keeper Niall O'Brien taking a remarkable six catches behind the stumps - equalling the Irish record for a single innings set by Paul Jackson against Scotland at Titwood in 1984.

O'Brien's future is up in the air at with the dropping of Geraint Jones as gloveman in the England team. Jones' return to keep wicket at Kent means O'Brien is somewhat out in the cold, having enjoyed a protracted period on the first team at Canterbury in Jones' absence. But if his form for Ireland is anything to go by, he isn't letting the uncertainty of his career get to him.

And he is also useful with the bat. He is currently top of the Irish all-time batting averages and coming in at number three yesterday he made sure the job was done, seeing his side home with an unbeaten 28 that brought his Ireland average back up to 51 from 24 innings.

Ireland stuttered slightly in what was a small run chase. Kenny Carroll was out for two and the Irish lost two other batsmen (William Porterfield for 19 and Kevin O'Brien for 17) before they reached their meagre target of 80 in 12.2 overs.

But the real test will come in today's one-day international against the Dutch. Ireland will be without Eoin Morgan, who scored 99 against Scotland on Saturday, as he has returned home to Dublin for a funeral. But experienced opening bat Jeremy Bray and skipper Trent Johnston are expected to return.

A win will give Ireland an unprecedented clean-sweep of European Championship titles for 2006 after the under-13s, under-15s, under-17s, under-19s and under-23s all won their respective tournaments earlier in the summer.