An outstanding all-round performance from Orla Prendergast ensured that Ireland finished their T20I series against England with a creditable 1-1 draw.
Ireland bounced back from their heavy defeat in the series opener with aplomb, hauling down England's first innings total of 169 with a ball left spare.
England's opening pair of Bryony Smith (28) and Tammy Beaumont (40) provided England with a solid platform without ever taking the game totally away from the hosts.
Ireland were able to take wickets with enough of a regularity to prevent England's dominance spiralling out of control. Arlene Kelly finished with figures of 2-22 off her four overs, while left-arm spinner Aimee Maguire and Prendergast also finished with a pair of wickets each.
Steady contributions from the England middle order, chiefly Paige Scholfield's 34 and Georgia Adams' 21 took England to 169 – Ireland had never previously successfully chased a total of more than 152 in a women's T20I.
Ireland's chase did not start well. They were rocked by the early dismissal of Amy Hunter, who fell in the first over to the bowling of England captain Kate Cross. But Ireland recovered steadily, with Gaby Lewis and Prendergast taking them to 46-1 at the end of the powerplay.
From that point on, Prendergast went up through the gears and with her presence at the crease Ireland always looked a threat. The turning point was a particularly productive over where Prendergast and Leah Paul took 17 runs off a single Charis Pavely over to reduce the required run rate to 8.33 with three overs remaining.
Prendergast was bowled for 80 off the final ball of the penultimate over leaving her side needing seven from the final over which was to be bowled by Mady Villiers.
Five runs off the first two balls – which included a first ball boundary from Sarah Forbes – ensured that Ireland were favourites, even after Villiers dismissed Forbes and Ava Canning in consecutive deliveries.
Christina Coulter Reilly, in her first T20I innings, then hit two off her first delivery at the crease to score the winning runs for Ireland. It was Ireland's first victory over England in a women's T20I.
Prendergast was unsurprisingly named player of the match and the series for her efforts.
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