The talented teenager's side may have slumped to an 8 wicket loss to Northamptonshire in their third game of the Friends Provident Trophy, but Stirling will mark the game as a huge step forward in his career.
He stole the show, hitting four fours and four same number of sixes in his knock of 70 from just 95 balls. His huge six over mid-wicket off England Test star Monty will be one to tell his schoolmates.
Paul made his debut for the full Ireland side in the Winter tour to Bangaladesh, but struggled to make an impression at the higher level. But the Irish management team perservered with him and he rewarded them with Monday's show against a top class bowling attack.
Stirling has scored centuries at every level he has played at and it seems it will not be long before he hits a century for the Irish senior side.
A heavy defeat then for Ireland, but Stirling's fantastic innings means there is optimism for the future.
It was Ireland player Niall O'Brien who did the damage against his former team-mates as he hit 75 for the county side. He shared an opening partnership of 179 with Stephen Peters, who scored an unbeaten 103 (13 fours, 1 six, 129 balls) as Northants chased down the Ireland score of 203, to win with 7.4 overs to spare.
O'Brien hit 8 fours, (including 3 in an over from West Indian overseas player Ravi Rampaul), and one six in his 104 ball stay at the crease, before Rampaul gained his revenge, with Niall's brother Kevin claiming the catch which ended his impressive knock.
James Hall of Waringstown, who impressed on his debut, claimed the other wicket to fall, having former South African international Nicky Boje caught by Rampaul without scoring.