Ireland v Sri Lanka

At Clontarf, May 6. First one-day international: Sri Lanka won by 79 runs. Sri Lanka 219-8 (50 overs) (L. D. Chandimal 39, A. D. Mathews 30, K. M. D. N. Kulasekara 42*); ‡Ireland 140 (39.5 overs) (W. T. S. Porterfield 37, N. J. O'Brien 33; R. A. S. Lakmal 3-29, B. A. W. Mendis 3-27). MoM: B. A. W. Mendis.

Marvan Atapattu's first assignment as Sri Lanka's interim coach took place in biting cold, with Kumar Sangakkara preparing for the Test series by playing for Durham, and Mahela Jayawardene, Lasith Malinga and Rangana Herath all rested. Ajantha Mendis won the match award for 18* and three wickets. Nuwan Kulasekara finished on 42*, then removed Paul Stirling in his first over. William Porterfield and Niall O'Brien added 58 to begin a recovery from 5-2. But four wickets fell in four overs as Ireland lurched to 74-6. An upset had looked possible when Sri Lanka were 95-5, but Angelo Mathews and Ashan Priyanjan fought back and, for Ireland - who had never beaten Sri Lanka - the target always seemed too steep.