The game was in the balance in the first as, every time Gloucester took the lead, Irish promptly came straight back and the half time score was 24-22!
However, the second half was a different matter as Gloucester, now playing into quite a stiff breeze, took a stranglehold of the game and the visitors never really looked like getting back into the game after early second half scores gave the home side some breathing space.
All in all, a treat for the supporters who came along to watch as the teams shared 10 tries and 66 points.
Gloucester drew first blood after four minutes. Jonny May made the initial tackle as Irish attacked then retreated to the back of the ruck and suddenly emerged with the ball as Gloucester seized the turnover.
May squeezed through the ruck, accelerated clear and then just held off the tackle of Irish wing Marcus Watson to score. Danny Pointon converted for a 7-0 lead after five minutes.
The visitors hit back immediately after a neat break from fly half Jamie Lennard which set up a catch and drive. Number eight Richard Smith claimed the score. Lennard was off target to leave the score at 7-5.
Reuben Haile then cut through in midfield to carve open the Irish defence. May took the ball on and looked as though he would make the line but unselfishly gave the ball to Semi Tadulala for the score. Pointon's conversion opened up a 14-5 lead.
The scores continued to come, this time against Gloucester, as centre Jonathan Joseph picked off a Mike Wilcox pass with Gloucester on the attack and scored unopposed under the posts. Lennard's conversion made it 14-12 after 15 minutes.
Pointon added an 18th penalty from fully 45 metres but Irish promptly hit back as Watson took advantage of a turnover to score in the corner to level the scores at 17-17.
After the flurry of points, a full 17 minutes elapsed until the next one as lock second row Danny Hodge took a quick tap penalty for Gloucester and powered his way to the line. Pointon's conversion moved his side into a 24-17 lead.
Once again, the visitors came straight back and it was via another catch and drive with Richard Smith again the scorer. Lennard's conversion was off target leaving the half time score at 24-22.
Gloucester drew first blood in the second period as the pack bludgeoned their way over from close range with Rupert Harden awarded the score but Pointon, now kicking into a tricky wind, was off target with the conversion.
The pack were at it again on 50 minutes with Darren Dawidiuk claiming the try from a catch and drive with Pointon successfully negotiating the swirling wind to convert for 36-22.
Irish mounted a comeback and Gloucester had to withstand yet another catch and drive attempt before Irish full back Ruggero Trevisan was caught in possession on his own 22 to concede a penalty which Pointon gratefully slotted.
Irish strove to get back into the game as both sides used most of their replacements but the nearest to scoring was Gloucester replacement Nevaro Codlin who made a great break down the 5 metre channel into the Irish 22 until losing the ball in contact.
But Gloucester had the last word as replacement prop Richard Barrington forced his way over from close range to wrap up the scoring at 44-22.
