John Kenny's World Cup Diary
Entry Four - 15 March 2007
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The morning after the night before and the Blarney Army in Ocho Rios on the north of Jamaica are still coming to terms with the extraordinary finish to the game against Zimbabwe at Sabina Park in Kingston on Thursday.
It seemed for all the world that Ireland were going to lose their opening game, despite Jeremy Bray's wonderful 115 not out. But to their massive credit Trent Johnston's side never wilted and their self-belief led them to tie a game they looked certain to lose.
The BBC Radio commentary team broadcasting the game to millions worldwide were in raptures about the finish and Arlo White and Pakistan Legend Ramiz Raja could not believe that Zimbabwe crumbled the way they did, allowing Ireland back into the game.
In fact had Johnstone, who led his side brilliantly by the way, held on to a difficult catch in a remarkable last over by Kevin O'Brien, Ireland would have won. But that's cricket and that's why we love it.
The Blarney Army were brilliant at Sabina Park. All 2,000 or so of them made an unbelievable racket throughout and the 'Fields of Athenry' and 'Olé Olé Olé' could be heard right through the match.
At the end of the game, the Zimbabwe side looked down in the mouth while Ireland did a lap of honour to the delight of their support, who still had to face the trip back to Ocho Rios through the Jamaican Blue Mountains - Irish pot holes have nothing on the roads in Kingston!
There were some great tales on the morning of the match about how the Irish got to Sabina Park. One group decided that they had enough of driving and took a helicopter instead. Rather them than me.
Funnily enough yesterday started strangely for me as I received an email from a disgruntled Irish fan who complained that I had said that Ireland only has 1,200 playing the game? What I actually said was 12,000. I was misquoted. Funny that.
Anyway, upwards and onwards and now it's Pakistan on Saturday. I am writing this (with some difficulty) in the back of a taxi van driven by our driver, Jason. Fair play to him, he has been there when we needed him. A good driver is a big help covering a tournament like this.
It was a great opening and well done Ireland.
