Amy Hunter says she still hasn't fully comprehended becoming the youngest ever centurion - male or female - in the history of one-day international cricket.

Hunter celebrated her 16th birthday with an unbeaten 121 against Zimbabwe in Harare on Monday.

The Instonians batter, who balances her school work with being an international cricketer, only made her Ireland debut in May and has now written her name into the record books.

Speaking on RTE's Today with Claire Byrne, Hunter is still coming to terms with what she achieved in delivering that maiden century.

"It very exciting, it really hasn't sunk in yet and it's still quite unbelievable," she said.

Reflecting further on her batting feats, Hunter added: "I struggled a bit early on and then as I got into the innings I got more comfortable and played nicely after that."

And while still only 16, it's fair to say that Hunter has had a decent career in the sport, and the benefit of playing boys cricket early on has certainly aided her development.

"I played boys cricket since I was eight or nine and then started playing women's cricket when I was 11. The pace of the boys game is quicker; it's a lot more competitive and there's a good atmosphere to play in. I think everyone should play as much boys' cricket as they can."

Hunter also admitted that hockey is her other sporting passion and she still plays a bit, but cricket was the game "she got interested in quite early on".

In fact she describes the sport as "quite addictive" - with the quest to "get the runs and then come back for more" as a driving force for her to achieve more.

Also speaking on the programme was Ireland senior head coach, Ed Joyce. In paying tribute to Hunter, he said: "We knew she had the class to push on. I don't think anyone was expecting her to get 121 not out.

"It's great to see she is capable of doing that and hopefully she can keep going. I don't think anyone knows what you are capable of doing it until it's done.

"She definitely got a bit of class, she's had big runs at every age-group level. She's played a lot of boy's cricket; everyone knew she had huge ability.

"Going there and spending that much time in the middle, in the heat, against a good international team like Zimbabwe, takes something a little extra. Hopefully she can continue on an upward path."