Cricket/European championships: A stunning innings of 99 from Dubliner Eoin Morgan ensured Ireland scored a satisfying win over old rivals Scotland in Division One at Ayr on Saturday.

In difficult batting conditions, Morgan showed his class with a quality innings that included seven fours and one six as he brought Ireland to an ultimately winning total of 240 after they had been put in to bat by Scotland.

Morgan put on 76 runs for the eighth wicket with the ever-dependable Kyle McCallan, making sure Ireland posted a decent total. At 164 for 7, it looked like they could fall for less than 200 but Morgan and McCallan saw the side to safety, dealing a severe blow to the Scots' morale in the process.

Although Morgan deservedly received the man-of-the-match award for anchoring the innings, McCallan's effort cannot be overstated, his 46 not out coming off just 35 balls and including four fours and a six. It shows again this Ireland side have a long batting line-up with players capable of scoring runs quickly down the order. This was not the first time the so-called tail had come to Ireland's rescue.

Unfortunately for Morgan he ran himself out one run short of what would have been his second century for his country and his first in a one-day international.

In reply, the Scots came up against an Irish opening bowler, David Langford-Smith, who was in no mood to let them get a good start.

Langford-Smith removed the top three batsmen with just 52 runs on the board, including the prize wicket of Ryan Watson, caught by Trent Johnston for just 10. Langford-Smith ended with impressive figures of 3 for 32 off 10 overs. Scotland were all out 85 runs short. Having done the business with the bat, McCallan showed his all-round talents with 10 typically tight overs that yielded two wickets and conceded just 37 runs.

Ireland are now in pole position to win the championships with two wins from two. With the under-13s, under-15s, under-17s, under-19s and under-23s also having won their European Championships this summer, a win for the senior team would ensure an unprecedented clean-sweep for Ireland.

Today they play Italy at Hamilton Crescent and tomorrow are back at Ayr for their final game, against the Netherlands.