Paul O'Connell hails Irish mentality after Portugal drubbing
Despite missing 17 players due to British and Irish Lions tour commitments, O'Connell's squad scored 16 tries in a lopsided thrashing, surpassing their previous largest win when they netted 13 tries in an 83-3 defeat of the United States in 2000.
Speaking to Virgin Sports, O'Connell said: "I feel sorry for Portugal, but we were very clinical and took our chances.
'It is a unique summer tour given the Lions tour is on at the same time, but I am very happy with how our squad applied themselves.
'It is great to get some guys capped and scoring tries and training in an international environment.'
Connacht pair Hugh Gavin and Shayne Bolton went over twice apiece on their debuts and there was also a brace each for club team-mate and flanker Cian Prendergast and Leinster wing Tommy O'Brien.
With fly-half Jack Crowley landing 12 of his 15 conversion attempts – Ireland were also awarded a penalty try – the tourists also racked up 100 points for the first time.
Captain Craig Casey, who went over for Ireland's ninth try early in the second half, told Virgin Sports: 'Our major takeaway from today is our mentality. We were very professional and played our game to get the result.
'It's a shame the stadium wasn't full, but seeing the amount of Irish fans here was special to get the result for them.'
Ireland had 11 different try-scorers in addition to the penalty try, with centre Stuart McCloskey, forwards Thomas Clarkson and Alex Kendellen and replacements Calvin Nash, Ciaran Frawley and Ben Murphy also touching down.
Ireland next face New Zealand in Chicago in a one-off Test on November 1.
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