Ireland slumped to an 8 wicket loss to Northamptonshire in their 3rd game of the Friends Provident Trophy, as fellow Irishman Niall O'Brien hit 75 for the county side.

 

He shared an opening partnership of 179 with Stephen Peters, who scored an unbeaten 103 (13 fours, 1 six, 129 balls) as Northants chased down the Ireland score of 203, to win with 7.4 overs to spare.

 

O'Brien hit 8 fours, (including 3 in an over from West Indian overseas player Ravi Rampaul), and one six in his 104 ball stay at the crease, before Rampaul gained his revenge, with Niall's brother Kevin claiming the catch which ended his impressive knock.

 

James Hall, who impressed on his debut, claimed the other wicket to fall, having former South African international Nicky Boje caught by Rampaul without scoring.

 

Earlier Hall had been Ireland's second top scorer with 22, opening the innings with skipper William Porterfield.

 

However it was 17 year old Cliftonville batsman Paul Stirling who stole the show, hitting 4 fours and the same number of sixes in his knock of 70 from just 95 balls. His huge six over mid-wicket off England Test star Monty Panesar will be one to tell the granchildren.

 

Panesar did return the best figures of the day, taking 3-36, including the wicket of Gary Wilson, stumped by his wicket-keeping rival Niall O'Brien for 16.

 

A heavy defeat then for Ireland, but Stirling's fantastic innings, coupled with Hall's assured debut, means there is optimism for the future.