Any thoughts Ireland had of repeating last year's success on this ground against Middlesex were dispelled by Glamorgan's efficient all-round performance resulting in a comprehensive win for the county champions.

An Ireland-Wales sporting occasion is always something to savour and there was plenty of Celtic fervour generated by a happy band of rival supporters at the hospitable Clontarf ground.

However, there was never any chance of Ireland overtaking Glamorgan's total after they lost four wickets in the opening nine overs.

Despite the slow pitch, Robert Croft, with his second successive half-century in the competition, launched the innings with a flurry of boundaries and a six on to the roof of the pavilion at square leg.

The other batsmen failed to come to terms with the low bounce until Tony Cottey, who made 54, and Waqar Younis, 33, put on 48 in nine overs for the ninth wicket.

The Irish bowlers - apart from Paul McCrum, who conceded nine wides in his first six overs - observed the virtue of bowling a full length on a pitch not conducive to extravagant stroke play.

The pitch was so devoid of any pace that when Steve Watkin opened the bowling for Glamorgan, he opted for two fielders on the drive either side of the wicket instead of the conventional slip cordon.

Angus Dunlop, the Irish captain and scorer of over 1,700 runs for his country, threatened briefly with two successive sixes off Watkin but then swept fatally across the line against Croft.

Croft, who also held on to a snorter at first slip, was awarded the Gold Award for his all-round contribution.