Irish eyes smiled on Canberra as the men from the Emerald Isle enjoyed the first victory of their World Cup familiarisation tour of Australia.
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After back-to-back losses in Queensland last week, Ireland bounced back to form with an emphatic 124-run win against the ACT Comets at Manuka Oval on Tuesday night.
Ireland posted an imposing total of 8-302, thanks largely to Niall O'Brien's 88 from 79 balls, before its bowlers restricted the Comets to 178 in reply with Craig Young (3-36) and Peter Chase (3-39) picking up three wickets each.
O'Brien said it was an encouraging all-round performance as Ireland continues its preparations for next year's World Cup, which includes a match against South Africa at Manuka Oval on March 3.
"We've got a game here in the World Cup, so hopefully we get another win on Thursday and come back with fond memories and have a good match," O'Brien said.
"We probably got more than we thought we might get at one stage – 260, 270 would have given us a good chance, then some good batting at the end from Andrew Poynter and John Mooney got us over 300.
"We've got a very young bowling attack, so it's pretty good to get 10 wickets and to restrict them to under 200."
O'Brien held the innings together, the 32-year-old showing all the experience of his 60 one-day internationals and 21 T20's for his country.
Mooney carried on the job, blasting six fours and a six in an unbeaten 41 from only 20 balls as Ireland hammered 63 from the last five overs.
The Comets lost opener Matt Condon for 18 before NSW-contracted batsman Daniel Hughes lofted a shot down the throat of the fielder at deep square leg for 24.
Nathan Price (12), Andrew Harriott (six) and Michael Spaseski (four) went in quick succession to leave the Comets in trouble at 5-88.
Vele Dukoski adopting his trademark hard-hitting approach before the Comets all-rounder was stranded mid-pitch to be run out for 35. The Comets never recovered.
Blake Dean made four before he was out leg before wicket, top-scorer Nick Larkin fell for 48, Shane Devoy was out for a golden duck and Nathan McAndrew was the last man out for 16.
The two teams meet in another 50-over match on Thursday.
Ireland XI 8-302 (Niall O'Brien 88, John Mooney 41 not out; Nathan McAndrew 2-48, Blake Dean 2-65) bt ACT Comets 178 (Nick Larkin 48; Craig Young 3-36, Peter Chase 3-39) by 124 runs at Manuka Oval on Tuesday night.
