Ed Leahy's World Cup Blog

Sunday 15 April Ireland v Bangladesh

I was just as anxious for this game to start as the team were; Friday's result needed to be addressed.

The opening partnership was slow to get going but gradually progressed and allowed the middle order to let loose - Trent and Kevin doing what they do best. A healthy total, well over 200, gave the bowlers a great chance and they didn't disappoint.

This was meant to be Pakistan v India so they let the locals in for free to fill the house and it worked a treat. The atmosphere was electric and as the Bangladesh wickets started to tumble, the Irish crowd and the adopted Irish - Bajans, English, Indians - sensed another historic victory and roared the team home.

The victory seemed as important - if not more important - to the players and management as the Pakistan result. This was a great game of cricket with a high-quality performance from the Irish and the perfect lift after some tough encounters with the best teams in the world.

I thought a crazy last night in Barbados was on the cards but it ended up being a civilised affair, where all the team relaxed in the Hilton bar amongst family and friends. Everyone together after such an important victory seemed like the perfect end to an amazing day.

Monday 16 April

We took the short flight to Grenada for the final leg of our World Cup odyssey.

For the first time of my six-week trip, I had a room to myself - a sort of going away present from the Digicel crew, I suppose. It was a corker of a room at that. More like a holiday villa with everything supersized - they either knew I was coming or the Americans are very popular in this part of town.

Tuesday 17 April

Breakfast was served on the balcony while I dragged myself out of bed for my penultimate - there's that word again - day in the Caribbean.

Unfortunately, I had to move to another hotel for the last couple of days, however, the new place wasn't half bad either.

I went down to the National Stadium - another spectacular arena, again sponsored by the Chinese - to watch the team train before their final game.

The touch rugby finale was in full swing and the Oldies clinched the Snip Snip trophy - reason for name of trophy unknown - against the Youngies, followed by a lap of honour around the almost empty stadium, amusing the assemble media and stadium staff in the process.

Wednesday 18 April Ireland v Sri Lanka

Despite a decent start, Ireland had a nightmare against Sri Lanka getting skittled for 77 - another lunchtime finish.

A horrible way to finish such an amazing journey but, half-an-hour later in the dressing room, the team gave coach Adrian Birrell a rousing farewell, followed by an emotional version of 'Ireland's Call'.

The song has never done much for me, but to see the lads singing with such passion will make me review my thoughts on the song for future reference. I don't know if I'll ever be 100% happy with it but it seems to be finding its feet, especially amongst all-Ireland teams which can't be a bad thing.

We spent the afternoon having a few beers with the team around the pool and had a few more later on getting into the nightclub under false pretence - it was free in for the Ireland team so I put on my best Nordie accent and told them my name was Kyle McCallan. I'm not sure why the accent was used; I don't think the doorman could distinguish either way.

Thursday 19 April

After two hours sleep, the hotel porter came banging on my door shouting that my taxi had arrived.

I was packed and ready since last night, so it was only a matter of making my way to the front of the hotel and into the taxi to get me to my 7.15am flight to St Vincent.

This was where the madness started. Ten hours later, we flew from St Vincent, not to San Juan, but to Antigua, where the airline said they'd put me up for the night. They had told me a different story in St Vincent. With all my connections well and truly missed, I spotted a BA flight to London leaving an hour later.

So once more with the credit card, I was off to London - I'd worry about claiming when I got home.

Friday 20 April

The only flight home from London was five hours after I arrived in Gatwick and Ryanair were charging £180stg. I decided that one more trip wasn't going to kill me so I jumped on a bus to Heathrow and flew home with Aer Lingus for half the price.

I was so tired when I got home. I think I could do with a holiday.

Click here for Ed's fourteenth blog entry

Click here for Ed's thirteenth blog entry

Click here for Ed's twelfth blog entry

Click here for Ed's eleventh blog entry

Click here for Ed's tenth blog entry

Click here for Ed's ninth blog entry

Click here for Ed's eighth blog entry

Click here for Ed's seventh blog entry

Click here for Ed's sixth blog entry

Click here for Ed's fifth blog entry

Click here for Ed's fourth blog entry