Ireland's dream of pulling off one of the biggest shocks in the history of Test cricket was shattered as it folded for a paltry 38 to lose by 143 runs on Friday.
On a murky morning, Ireland made a dream start when Stuart Thompson ended England's second innings on 303 with the first ball of the day, cleaning up Olly Stone.
After a rain delay, Ireland began the chase in encouraging fashion, reaching 11 without loss, but the wheels fell off in spectacular fashion as it posted the lowest ever Test total at Lord's, capitulating in 15.4 overs.
Woakes runs amok
Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad took cruel advantage of optimum bowling conditions to take all the wickets.
Woakes put Ireland out of its misery, knocking back Tim Murtagh's leg stump to finish with spectacular figures of six for 17 with Broad taking four for 19.
It was a sad end to what had been a fantastic effort by William Porterfield's gallant side in only Ireland's third Test match and first against England.
Ireland had bowled England out for 85 before lunch on the opening day of the four-day Test on Wednesday and forced another collapse in the home ranks in sweltering heat on Thursday to set itself up for an unlikely first Test victory.
In the end, however, the class of Broad and Woakes proved too much as England successfully defended its lowest total since 1998 in Melbourne and its lowest ever at Lord's.
'Gutted'
“We put ourselves in a position to win the game — that's why we're so gutted up there,” Porterfield, whose dismissal signalled the start of the collapse, said.
“We knew it was going to be tough with the lights on and drizzle in the air. But we had to dig deep and get through that. Fair play to the two lads to how they bowled — they made it difficult.”
England's left-arm spinner Jack Leach was named Man of the Match for his 92 in England's second innings as a nightwatchman.
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