Blarney Army’s exploits end

By Aidan Begley

It was nice while it lasted, but Ireland’s escapades in the Cricket World Cup came to an end last month, after they were outclassed in the Super Eight section of the knock-out stages.
It wasn’t all doom-and-gloom though as an impressive victory over Bangladesh (which was Ireland’s only real chance of getting a Super Eight victory) meant that they wouldn’t finish bottom of the table, with Bangladesh picking up the wooden spoon.
After the euphoric victory over Pakistan which was overshadowed by the tragic death of Pakistan coach, Bob Woolmer, Ireland headed into the Super Eights with no fear, just excitement at the prospect of playing the best cricketing teams in the world.
Ireland put up some great fights against the likes of England and South Africa, whilst they turned the screw on Bangladesh with a 74 run victory over the Test-playing minnows.
However, class told when Ireland came up against Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand, when they gave Ireland what can only be eloquently described as a tonking, with the loss against Sri Lanka their final game in the World Cup, before the Ireland team packed their bags and headed home.
In all fairness, they probably expected to be doing this about a month ago, but such was Ireland’s determination in the group stages not to be the whipping boys of the group, this meant they stepped their game up and showcased the talent that lies within Irish cricket to a worldwide audience.
After the World Cup, Ireland's cricket team arrived home to an enthusiastic welcome in Dublin after their exploits in the Caribbean. Irish sports minister John O'Donoghue was among hundreds of supporters who turned up at Dublin Airport to greet the returning heroes.
Vice-captain, Kyle McCallan, said: "It has been a fairytale for all of the guys. We have been all over the Caribbean and have played against the best teams in the world. Now we are coming home to a playing in the Friends Provident Trophy where we’ll be looking to make an impact in this tournament, hopefully in front of some big Irish crowds, on both sides of the Irish sea."
Ireland skipper Trent Johnston said his side's crushing defeats to Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand could not take away from their overall performance at the World Cup.
"I hope we won't be judged on this because we've done well and we've got good cricketers," Johnston said.
"One thing we wanted to do here was put Irish cricket on the map - not just in the world but in Ireland itself. I think we've done that, the public response back home has been fantastic. We can reflect on a great seven weeks."
Johnston, whose side were beaten by eight wickets by Sri Lanka in Grenada after being skittled for just 77, added: "There have been a lot of high points - the way we fought back against Zimbabwe to get us going, and then obviously Pakistan was huge on St. Patrick's Day.
"We've been away from home since January 7. A few of the guys are looking forward to getting home to a bit of reality."
Johnston also thanked Adrian Birrell, who now leaves his post as coach to be replaced by former West Indies star Phil Simmons.
He added: "I'd like to thank, from all the boys, Adrian Birrell. It was not the send-off we'd have liked to give him but he's been great and we'd like to thank him very much."
The team's success has reportedly prompted a fivefold increase in interest in the sport in Ireland, a country more associated with Gaelic football, rugby union and soccer.
And Birrell reckons Irish cricket can only get bigger following the performances of his side in the Caribbean.
"We have young players in the wings awaiting their chances, and certainly on the spinning front, batting front and fielding front we've got all those bases covered. It's mainly a sense of great pride that I've achieved what I've achieved.
"Many times in my career I've felt I've underachieved as a player and a coach and never really got the just rewards. But I think now cricket has paid me my dues."
After the dust has settled over the World Cup, the real work begins to find more funding to develop the Ireland cricket team, and also the infrastructure in grass-roots Irish cricket as the Irish are now the 12th nation in the one-day world rankings.
"I won't be backward in asking the ICC how it might assist in ensuring that Ireland's performance curve improves over the next few years. The ICC pumped in significant funding to the USA and Kenya to move forward." said Irish Cricket Union chief executive Warren Deutrom.
The ICU received 200,000 euros ($271,800) from cricket's ruling body in 2006 through a World Cup preparation fee and ICC High Performance Programme funding and to build their infrastructure and improve further, more money is needed.
Englishman Deutrom joined the ICU in December after living in London, Monaco and then Dubai in previous roles as an events manager, first with the England and Wales Cricket Board and then the ICC.
He added: "My goal is to create a small team of professionals focused on the commercial and administrative side that can ensure we have a firm foundation for all areas of the game in Ireland."
The fact India and South Africa play a three-match series in Ireland from late June, with the host playing both in one-off games, indicates business is on the up, though a television broadcast partner remains the main target.
Ultimately, Deutrom is confident enough in his business acumen to believe Ireland can be even stronger come the 2011 World Cup in Asia.
"After nearly 10 years in cricket administration at the heart of cricket first in England, and then in the global game, I feel I have the right sort of skills to take Irish cricket to the next level commercially and administratively," he said.
"I have to say, though, our achievements in the 2007 World Cup have somewhat accelerated the timetable."
Ireland have been boosted by a five-figure sponsorship deal for their five home matches in the Friends Provident Trophy. The sponsorship, from the Grafton Group plc, will cover the games against Kent (April 29), Gloucestershire (May 10), Essex (May 13), Middlesex (June 10) and finally Glamorgan (June 13).
Warren Deutrom said that he was sure that "both the ICU and Grafton Group will benefit greatly from this association at such an exciting time for Irish Cricket.”