NIALL O'BRIEN didn't spare the rod against his international team-mates yesterday, hitting 75 as Northamptonshire waltzed to a eight-wicket victory in this Friends Provident Trophy tie.
The 26-year-old from Sandymount was promoted to opener after 17-year-old Paul Stirling's 70 had helped Ireland make 203 for 9 from their 50 overs, well short of a competitive total on a superb batting track.
O'Brien eventually departed in the 36th over with his side just 25 runs shy of victory, with younger brother Kevin throwing family allegiances to one side to bag the catch at deep mid-wicket off Ravi Rampaul's bowling.
There was still time for debutant James Hall to take a first international wicket, Rampaul taking the catch off the spinner to account for Northants skipper Nicky Boje before he had troubled the scorers.
Opening batsman Stephen Peters went on to make an undefeated century, with David Sales hitting the winning boundary off the second ball of the 42nd over.
Niall O'Brien was delighted to claim his first one-day half-century for the county, even if it did come at the expense of his country.
"It was strange when I first went out the bat, but it was nice to get a chance at the top. I was itching to get up there as that's where I was batting in pre-season and got plenty of runs," said O'Brien.
"If I don't get a chance at the top of the order it's a case of dropping down to six or seven at Northants. I'm an opening batsman by trade and the longer I stay there the better."
Although he would eventually fall to Rampaul, O'Brien had earlier taken a particular shine to the West Indian, with three boundaries in his fourth over. He hit eight boundaries in total and a six off Kyle McCallan during his 104-ball stay at the crease.
Even though it was Ireland's most comprehensive defeat in their three matches to date, there were still some green shoots of encouragement to take out of it for coach Phil Simmons as he continues a rebuilding process.
Yesterday it was the turn of 17-year-old Belfast student Stirling to put his hand up and announce himself at international level, scoring a half-century in just his fourth appearance.
Simmons has stuck to his guns amid growing calls to drop the Cliftonville batsman down the order this early in his international career, and his trust was rewarded handsomely as Stirling top-scored with 70 off 95 balls.
The Belfast High School pupil showed the precociousness of - well - a teenager, at times, hitting Johann Louw for an early six.
He survived a chance on 19, Boje dropping a catch at extra cover. The South African international had cause to regret his error a little later as Stirling caned two successive sixes off his left-arm spin.
The one he will be telling all his class-mates about, though, brought him close to his half-century as he hit England spinner Monty Panesar over the stands.
He was eventually bowled by Steven Crook as he tried to up the pace, having faced 95 deliveries in his 108-minute stay at the crease.
He added four fours to his four maximums, showing some fine concentration that his father, Brian, the former international rugby referee, is hoping will stand to him in his coming exams.
After William Porterfield went for 19, Stirling joined his under-19 team-mate Hall, promoted to the side after Phil Eaglestone was forced to drop out after damaging a medial ligament in the clash against Leicestershire. The pair put on 29 for the second wicket before Hall went for 22.
Ireland's middle order failed to spark, with Alex Cusack, lbw to Panesar's first delivery, Strydom and Kevin O'Brien only adding 19 runs between them.
Andy White looked like he had a point to prove against his former county, but was run out on 16 after a direct hit from Peters.
Gary Wilson also hit 16, while Kyle McCallan's breezy 18 pushed Ireland past the 200 mark off the final ball of the innings.
Panesar, in his final game before England's first Test against New Zealand on Thursday, finished with three for 12.
Ireland have next weekend off before resuming their campaign with a double-header against Warwickshire and Leicestershire at Stormont the following week.
IRELAND
W Porterfield c and b Lucas 19
J Hall c Sales b Louw 22
P Stirling b Crook 70
A Cusack lbw b Panesar 8
R Strydom c Louw b Brown 7
K O'Brien c Lucas b Boje 4
A White run out 16
G Wilson st O'Brien b Panesar 16
K McCallan not out 18
R Rampaul c Klusener b Panesar 8
T Fourie not out 1
Extras (lb5 nb4 w5) 14
Total (for 9 wkts, 50 ovs) 203
Fall of wickets: 1-31, 2-60, 3-83, 4-116, 5-136, 6-153, 7-163, 8-185, 9-193.
Bowling: L Klusener 7-1-23-0; D Lucas 6-0-23-1; S Crook 7-1-34-1; J Louw 8-2-35-1; M Panesar 9-0-36-3; J Brown 10-0-26-1; N Boje 3-0-21-1.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
S Peters not out 103
N O'Brien c K O'Brien b Rampaul 75
N Boje c Rampaul b Hall 0
D Sales not out 17
Extras (lb1 nb6 w5) 12
Total (for 2 wkts, 42.2 ovs) 207
Fall of wickets: 1-179, 2-180.
Bowling: R Rampaul 10-1-50-1; K O'Brien 6-1-38-0; A Cusack 4-1-14-0; T Fourie 6-0-26-0; K McCallan 8-1-37-0; A White 3-0-19-0; J Hall 5.2-1-22-1.
Northamptonshire won by eight wickets.
