Scots no match for Ireland

Kearney, 21, went over four minutes after David Wallace's opening touchdown midway through a first half the visitors had dominated up to that point.

Further scores from Marcus Horan and Bowe took Ireland well clear after the break, with Simon Webster grabbing Scotland's first try of the championship in consolation.

Ireland were left to marvel at the emphatic scoreline as the Scots dominated possession and territory, only to fall victims to some devastating finishing.

Bowe's first try was controversial, but the remaining four evoked memories of Ireland's rampaging 12 months before disaster struck at the World Cup.

Every bit as satisfying as the outcome was the way new faces such as Kearney, Jamie Heaslip and Reddan continued to adapt to Test rugby.

And man of the match Geordan Murphy's promotion at full-back after Girvan Dempsey had been ruled out with a hip injury was an unqualified success.

The only concern from the night was the 70th minute departure of skipper Brian O'Driscoll who subsequently had his right calf - the subject of a fitness test on Friday - heavily strapped.

It also sets up their showdown with unbeaten Wales in two weeks' time after Warren Gatland's side demolished Italy 47-8.