NZ complete emphatic win over Ireland in one-off Test
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One-off Test, Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont (day three of four)
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New Zealand 490-8 dec (119 overs): Blundell 186, Foxcroft 98; Tector 1-16
Ireland 179 all out: Balbirnie 73*; Smith 6-40 & 232 all out: Doheny 57; Tickner 5-76
New Zealand won by an innings and 79 runs
New Zealand completed a straightforward victory in their one-off Test against Ireland, wrapping up the win on day three by an innings and 79 runs.
Ireland, bowled out for 179 in their first innings, started day three at Stormont on 65-2 after New Zealand had declared on 490-8 and enforced the follow-on.
They had a mountain to climb, with 247 more runs needed to make the Black Caps bat again, but could only muster 232 from 63.2 overs in their second innings.
The Test was brought to an end after Reuben Wilson's dismissal as Curtis Campher had retired hurt with a hand injury before lunch.
Blair Tickner starred for New Zealand on day three as he took his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Heinrich Malan's side struggled in the morning session in a cloudy Belfast and added just 66 more runs to their total.
Tom Mayes and Lorcan Tucker were dismissed early and while Stephen Doheny did bring up his first half-century in Test cricket as Ireland surpassed 100, he exited for 57 before an enforced early lunch break due to a rain shower.
Campher then retired hurt as Ireland's woes continued into the afternoon session with Andy McBrine (13) and Lorcan Tucker (50) departing, the latter after notching a fifth Test 50 as the impressive Nathan Smith collected his eighth wicket of the match.
Mark Adair and Liam McCarthy helped Ireland to better the 179 they got in their first innings, but Test debutant McCarthy slipped a he sprinted to the other and was run out for 11 as New Zealand edged closer to victory.
Confirmation of their win came soon after as Tickner (5-76) dismissed Wilson to bring the game to a close before tea.
New Zealand now look ahead to their three-Test series against England next month, while Ireland are also back in action in June as they face India in two Twenty20 internationals at Stormont.
Ireland 'weren't at the levels New Zealand were at'
Reflecting on the game, Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie felt that New Zealand's quality was too much for his injury-hit and inexperienced side, who were playing just their 13th Test match overall.
"They were definitely the better team, there is no hiding away from the fact. We had little chances in the game, especially in the first morning when we could have capitalised a bit better, but we didn't and a team like that will punish you and they did," Balbirnie told BBC Sport NI.
"I thought the new bowl bowling yesterday was as good as we've faced in the Test match arena. It is tough, tough cricket, it exposes any weaknesses you have and I think that scoreline reflects the game."
Balbirnie was impressed by the performances of Test debutants Mayes, McCarthy and Wilson, singling out the 19-year-old for praise.
"It was great to get a few guys debuts and Test experience, but ultimately we weren't at the levels they were at," he added.
"The guys who got their debuts looked pretty good at that level. Reuben Wilson, his first Ireland cap at 19, I think he has a huge future in the game.
"Certainly guys getting runs [was a positive too]; Andrew McBrine, Lorcan Tucker, Stephen Doheny, in only his second Test.
"Plenty of positives, but for us to be successful at this level we need to play as much first-class cricket as we can. Everyone is desperate to get better."
'Really pleasing performance' for New Zealand
New Zealand captain Tom Latham said his side produced a "really pleasing performance" in their convincing victory as they warmed up well for next month's Test series at Lord's.
"A great Test match. We were put under pressure on the first day so for Rachin [Ravindra] and Tom [Blundell] to then absorb a lot of pressure, put it back on and form a really good partnership and then for Dean [Foxcroft] to come in and build another partnership with Tom on debut, was outstanding," he said.
"With the ball, both innings we hung in there really well and set the tone really well with the new ball in the first innings. A couple of periods of time where we weren't at our best, but managed to find our rhythm and tempo and bowlers did a great job."