Ireland boosted their chances of progressing to the ICC World twenty20 Championships after a comfortable victory over the USA in Dubai on Wednesday.
Those hopes had been dented by a narrow defeat at the hands of Afghanistan on Tuesday, but Ireland looked a different side as they ran up 202 runs for just four wickets in their 20-over innings.
Niall O'Brien capped a Man of the Match performance with an impressive 84 run haul, with captain William Porterfield and Alex Cusack both scoring near the half-century mark.
The USA could only manage 124-6 in reply, handing the Irish team a 78 run victory.
Ireland now play Scotland in their final group qualifier on Thursday, with a place in the Super Fours up for grabs.
Scotland have lost their opening two qualifiers against the USA and Afghanistan.
The Afghans currently top the group with two wins from two, with Ireland and the USA tied for second place.
© UTV News