大象传媒

They always knew this clash with Bangladesh would be their best opportunity of victory in the second round, even though the Tigers upset South Africa two weeks previously.

A revived performance from their top-order batting 鈥� William Porterfield the star with 85 鈥� and the usual lower-order biffing set them on their way, then captain Trent Johnston鈥檚 canny use of his bowlers and some cavalier Bangladeshi batting helped seal a 74-run win

It provided the clincher in justifying their place in the Super 8, also gaining recognition in the ICC鈥檚 official one-day rankings by virtue of having beaten two full members.

With the gates flung wide at 11am, the ground was around two-thirds full up by the time Bangladesh started their reply.

India and Pakistan fans making the best of their teams鈥� absence were joined by plenty of locals 鈥� at last 鈥� and lots of light green, with large furry hats and leprechaun beards almost obligatory.

A few of the Barmy Army infiltrated the Blarney version for the afternoon and the Barmy bugler belted out Fields of Athenry and Cockles n鈥� Mussels instead of his usual standards.

And by the time skipper Trent Johnston took his second wicket, and danced his second chicken dance, it did not matter that this match could have been a clash between India and Pakistan. All that counted was another famous win for the men in clover green.

The novelty value of an Ireland team made up of truck drivers, teachers, farmers and salesmen taking on the world鈥檚 best has faded as the tournament wore on.

But it has been fun to be working around the squad and their entourage for the last three weeks as the enjoyment of playing at this level has shone through.

There have been some impressive individual performances, like for five runs in his first three overs against England and Niall O'Brien's half century in Ireland's reply.

Had Jacques Kallis not been allowed two let-offs, on a slow pitch in Guyana. Six days later, before a crazy run out began a collapse, Niall and Kevin O鈥橞rien were beginning to .

The chicken dance has been a highlight on the pitch and on the odd dance floor along the way. 鈥淎ll I could see on the TV replay was a bald spot and elbows,鈥� Johnston complained.

Chastened by the , England鈥檚 players headed back to their Georgetown hotel after beating the Irish, whose own post-match singsong lasted so late their security guards and coach driver left them to make their own way home.

Johnston鈥檚 inspirational leadership, spinner Kyle McCallan鈥檚 unflappability, Niall O鈥橞rien鈥檚 cocky self-assuredness and Rankin鈥檚 determination have all stood out on the field.

Off it, radio commentator started out with a couple of guest spots on 大象传媒 Test Match Special but has now been around so long he should be in line for a TMS tie, even though he has yet to gain official Test status.

John was just one of those leaping around in the press box as Bangladesh wickets fell through the afternoon. A few of the rest of us became a little less impartial than normal too.