For the third time this week in Malahide it was a game of two halves as Scotland gained some measure of revenge by comfortably chasing down the target of 242. The final margin of victory was a comprehensive 8 wickets with 26 deliveries to spare. A record second wicket partnership for Scotland of 179 between Calum MacLeod and Hamish Gardiner set the seal on the win with MacLeod recording his second ODI hundred.

The Ireland attack lacked the penetration of earlier in the series and that may be as much about the dead game as it was about the conditions. With the squad for the acclimatisation tour of Australasia tour selected last evening, although it won‘t be announced until tomorrow, there was little real motivation for Ireland at the end of the season. However it is always a danger to take the foot of the gas and several players may come to regret not giving of their best today. The talented county players will return for the next venture and few in the shadow squad will be totally confident of making the cut when the final fifteen are named. One man who has cemented his place is pace bowler Craig Young who was deservedly named Man of the Series and has added an edge to the Irish attack which has suffered from the loss of Boyd Rankin and Trent Johnston.

Yet again the outcome of the match was heavily influenced by the toss. Ireland benefited hugely in the first two matches by being able to put their opponents into bat and making full use of the morning conditions. Today it was their turn to be on the receiving end as Scotland’s bowlers exerted real pressure for the first time this week and restricted Ireland to 112 for 4 off the first thirty overs in the innings.

Had it not been for a sparkling knock from John Mooney Ireland would have struggled to reach 200. His innings, coming the day after his moving radio interview in which he courageously discussed the battle with his personal demons, deserved a century but he fell 4 runs short caught at point from the penultimate ball of the innings. He walked off to a standing ovation from the sizable crowd who recognised both his contribution to the match but more importantly his bravery in highlighting his own difficulties so that others could benefit.

The star of the Scotland attack was Majid Haq who finally delivered a performance that warranted his reputation as his country’s leading spin bowler. His 5 for 54 stifled the Ireland top order with only Kevin O’Brien (36) and Stuart Thompson (22) making a notable contribution. Mooney’s 96 came off just 77 balls and contained 12 fours and two sixes and at least set a total that could have been defended.

It ended up as a successful week for Ireland despite today’s disappointing display and most of the players on view can look forward to a month in the sun in the near future.

IRELAND 241-9 (50 Overs, J Mooney, 96, K O’Brien 36, M Haq 5-54, S Sharif 2-44)

SCOTLAND 243-2 (45.4 Overs, C MacLeod 116, H Gardiner 89, C Young 1-50)

SCOTLAND WON BY 8 WICKETS.