John Kenny's World Cup Diary
Entry Six - 18 March
It is hard to describe the elation that the Irish cricket team and their supporters felt after Saturday's incredible win over Pakistan at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, but the celebrations went long into the night.
Having bowled out the former champions for a cheap 132 Ireland, led brilliantly once again by their captain Trent Johnston, slowly but surely ground out the result.
Niall O'Brien's stunning 72 was the highlight of Ireland's innings.
So, what does this do for Irish cricket? Well, it will certainly will bring it to people's attention. But, to be honest, many Irish are clueless about the rules of the game and simply do not understand it.
There is also the factor that the Irish players are not known outside of the insular world of the sport in Ireland, and there is also the feeling I get from talking to many at home that they do not in fact care about cricket.
I wonder is it about to change? After this fantastic win against Pakistan, will the Irish population now sit up and take notice and stop shrugging their shoulders about the game?
Ireland's players have done their country proud. Some have come in from Australia and South Africa to play for their adopted country, but the bulk of the squad are Irish-born. Many are Irish-based, and - like those who play our national sports - the majority are amateurs breaking away from their daily jobs to help get Ireland's cricket team to the World Cup.
They should now rightly bask in the glory of Saturday's victory.
Before the World Cup two legends of the game, West Indian Michael Holding and England's Mike Atherton, expressed dissatisfaction that too many minnows were at this year's tournament.
That is to ignore the great strides that Ireland have taken in the last five years under the tutelage of coach Adi Birrell.
Having qualified for the World Cup, his side have also won the Intercontinental Cup and the European championships. Indeed, every Irish representative side from U-13 up are European champions.
Irish cricket is in a very healthy state indeed, and yesterday's win is a testament to the structures that Birrell and the Irish Cricket Union have put in place.
Ireland now have a little break after the whirlwind last week, and will face the West Indies in their final Group D game on Friday back at Sabina Park.
That means another hairy trip back over the Blue Mountains and its pot-marked roads.
It will be the last time we do it, because - barring a bizarre set of results - it is almost certain that Ireland will get out of the group and onto the Super Eights. Assuming that occurs, they are likely to face Australia in Antigua, the island which produced the great Viv Richards.
We could be here for a lot longer than we anticipated!
