Martin Guptill top scored, striking a magnificent 130 off 133 deliveries on a day when none of his team mates could get past 50.
The BLACKCAPS lost Brendon McCullum early with tall Ireland fast bowler Boyd Ranking ripping out his middle stump for just one run.
The early loss didn’t faze Jesse Ryder, who along with Guptill put on 79 for the second wicket – 48 off them coming from Ryder’s blade.
Ryder was slightly confused by his dismissal, chipping one to short cover. He stood his ground, questioning whether the ball carried but the umpire raised his finger.
Ross Taylor came and went for a glitzy 33 before James Franklin joined Guptill for the partnership of the match.
The pair came together with the score on 144 for three and took the total 248 before Franklin perished on 49.
With three overs to go Guptill attempted a fourth six but was just short, caught on the boundary, ending his superb knock.
Scott Styris (29*) capped an excellent innings with two massive sixes to propel the score past 300.
BLACKCAPS 311-5 (Martin Guptill 130, Jesse Ryder 48, Ross Taylor 33, James Franklin 49, Scott Styris 29; Trent Johnston 2-62)
Ireland win the toss and ask BLACKCAPS to bat
Ireland captain William Porterfield won the toss and asked the BLACKCAPS to bat.
Even though teams are allowed to play 12 BLACKCAPS captain Daniel Vettori opted to go into the match with 11.
All BLACKCAPS are fit and available with Tim Southee, Luke Woodcock, Jamie How and Kane Williamson missing out on selection.
BLACKCAPS: Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, James Franklin, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori (c), Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Hamish Bennett
Ireland: AC Botha, GH Dockrell, DT Johnston, EC Joyce, JF Mooney, KJ O'Brien, NJ O'Brien, WTS Porterfield (c), WB Rankin, PR Stirling, A van der Merwe, AR White
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