Mark Adair praised Ireland's team spirit after they fought back against a stubborn England batting line-up on day two of the test at Lord's.
Things didn't always go smoothly but by the end of the day Ireland had given themselves a great chance of a first Test win at the home of cricket.
The visitors began the day looking to replicate the form they showed with the ball on Wednesday when England were bowled out for 85 by a fired up Ireland attack.
With nightwatchman Jack Leach and Rory Burns at the crease England were cautious in their approach early on as Tim Murtagh and Adair (who claimed 1-52 and 3-66 today respectively) opened the bowling attack in the morning session, which included a couple of maiden overs.
Boyd Rankin was the first bowling change Ireland made, and his impact was virtually instant as he claimed the wicket of Burns, caught behind by wicket keeper Gary Wilson.
Undaunted by the loss of the early wicket, Leach (92) and new batsmen Jason Roy (72) built a partnership that passed 100 runs, both batsmen making colourful half-centuries.
"We had a tough time at the start," Adair admitted afterwards.
"The more we stick together and back each other... it's what we want to do, and what we want to be as an Irish cricket team."
After lunch, Ireland had a golden chance to get the thorn in their side out when Leach swiped at a shot and Wilson dropped what looked a simple catch. Leach and Roy added to England’s lead before Roy's middle stump was clean bowled by Stuart Thompson, who grabbed his first wicket of the test match.
Leach was dropped by Adair but he made up for his mistake moments later by taking a catch off the bowling of Tim Murtagh, securing his first of the innings after yesterday's five-wicket haul.
Joe Denly was the next man back in the pavilion after a horrible mix up with Joe Root. The England skipper changed his mind on a quick single while Denly was half-way down the wicket, which allowed Kevin O’Brien to knock the bails off the stumps with ease.
Ireland were soon celebrating again thanks to Adair who caught Jonny Bairstow on the pads plumb for lbw.
After a wasted review, Bairstow was back in the home dressing room having scored a pair ducks in both innings.
"You try and hit the top of off-stump and it sounds so boring and so cliche but it was exactly what we had to do today," said Adair of the dismissal.
"The ball wasn't swinging towards the end, and wasn't moving too much. The more you hit the pitch hard and the more you play them, the more you’ll get from it."
After tea, Rankin had his second wicket of the day as Wilson caught Moeen Ali behind. Not long afterwards, Wilson took another catch in the form of England captain Root off the bowling of Adair.
Chris Woakes also saw his innings end at the hands of the man from County Down. Ireland wrapped up the innings with the wicket of Sam Curran before bad light and a storm brought day two to a close with England on 303-9, a lead of 181 ahead of Ireland's second innings.
The day's play leaves the visitors in a strong position but Adair said Ireland wouldn't be getting ahead of themselves at the home of the world champions.
"I don’t think it’ll be a game where there will be no result," admitted Adair.
"We still need to get another wicket. Stuart Broad is not a bad batter and we’re focused on what we have to do."
