In the second ODI, Ireland had New Zealand work very hard. All-rounder Michael Bracewell, who was their hero in the first ODI, helped the visitors secure a tense three-wicket victory and an unbeatable 2-0 series lead.
After a top-order slump, George Dockrell of Ireland scored his highest ODI total of 74 off 61 balls, saving the hosts. However, half-centuries from Tom Latham, the captain, and Finn Allen, along with an unbeaten 42 from Bracewell, helped New Zealand win with more than 10 overs remaining.
When Ireland was forced to bat first, they had a challenging start, losing Paul Stirling in the first over after Matt Henry had the right-hander caught lbw for a duck. The opening New Zealand bowlers did not relent, as the innings started with three maidens before Henry struck once more in the fifth over, castingling captain Andrew Balbirnie after misjudging a leave.
Henry and Jacob Duffy continued to put pressure on Harry Tector and Andrew McBrine as Ireland was confined to 19-2 after 10 overs. After finding his rhythm, McBrine scored 12 runs off Henry's sixth over, but Tector was out for four when attempting to attack Bracewell with the off-third spinner's delivery of the day.
When McBrine was stumped by Latham for 28 in the 19th over, Bracewell immediately added another one. On a moving pitch, Mitchell Santner gained control of the other end as spin became the strategy. Santner used flight and a quick pivot to locate Curtis Campher's outside edge and give a catch to slip.
Ireland was in serious trouble at 85-5 after 28 overs, but Dockrell came back with a resourceful effort. He was particularly skilled at opening up the off side against Henry and Duffy while routinely moving across his crease. In just 48 balls, he struck his third half-century in ODI cricket, helping the hosts' score to rise.
After attaining his half-century, Dockrell increased the stakes by hitting Tickner for three consecutive fours in the 43rd over and then beginning the 44th over with a straight six against Santner.
However, Duffy struck in the following over to end Dockrell's innings on 74, and while wickets continued to fall to prematurely end Ireland's innings, a strong cameo from Mark Adair (27 not out off 15 balls) brought Ireland to 216, a respectable recovery given where they had been before Dockrell's arrival.
In order to defend 216, Adair converted his batting prowess to the ball, yorking Martin Guptill on the first ball of the innings and sending Will Young back for his second consecutive golden duck.
However, New Zealand recovered with to a strong performance from Allen, who reached his first ODI half-century by scoring 18 runs off just four Adair deliveries. In the 17th over, when New Zealand had reached 100, Allen was removed after being bowled out for 60 by Campher.
Henry Nicholls was also dismissed by Campher as he launched a direct hit that resulted in the left-hander being run out for 17 in the 25th over. Glenn Phillips was forced to pull the ball onto his stumps for 16 runs as Craig Young returned for his second stint.
Simi Singh trapped Latham lbw on 55 with 40 runs still required. Singh struck again to dismiss Santner in the 37th over, but Bracewell took the visitors over the line and finished off the innings in style with a six over long-on, dancing down the pitch off Singh.
Brief Scores: Ireland 216 in 48 overs (George Dockrell 74, Mark Adair 27 not out; Michael Bracewell 2-26, Mitchell Santner 2-32) lost to New Zealand 219-7 in 38.1 overs (Finn Allen 60, Tom Latham 55; Mark Adair 2-29, Simi Singh 2-51) by three wickets.