4 out of 4 now after defeating the might of America this morning. Porterfield got a massive hundred.
Ireland qualified for next year’s T20 World Cup by topping the group. We won all games with the exception of one match which was rained off. The top 3 teams in each group progress to the main tournament but there’s also quarter finals, semi-finals and a final of this qualifying event.
Ireland went straight to the semi-final courtesy of topping the group and we won it yesterday against the UAE. Max Sorensen did the damage with the ball and allowed us to defend a modest enough total.
We’ve just made 225/7 in the final against Afghanistan with retiring legend Trent Johnston hitting 62 from 32 balls - his first ever T20 half century in his final game for Ireland. 
Afghanistan are 76/4 after 7 overs - on pace with the required rate but Dockrell and Cusack have taken two wickets apiece. Live on Sky Sports at the moment.
2 wickets in 2 balls for RTE Sports Personality of the Year elect Trent Johnston.
139/8 after 14 overs.
Trent Johnston starts his final over for Ireland with a wicket.
I’m so happy but I’m crying too.
This is incredibly emotional.
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS.
Who’s going to Bangladesh next year?
[quote=“Bandage, post: 867805, member: 9”]Trent Johnston starts his final over for Ireland with a wicket.
I’m so happy but I’m crying too.
This is incredibly emotional.[/quote]
Final over in a limited overs competition of course.
I forgot that we still have the Intercontinental Cup final to come before TJ bows out. Make it your business to get to Dubai for that.
Trent Johnston’s final game for Ireland ends in victory, we have regained the Intercontinental Cup. Recovered well from a first innings collapse. John Mooney took five wickets in each innings, fifties from Joyce and Niall O’Brien in the second innings. Trent had a bit of a cameo with the bat second time around too, scoring 31. Ireland now hold the Associate nation trophies for all three formats, we are indisputably top dogs of the second tier. Hopefully a good showing in Bangladesh for the World T20 will follow. Incidentally, they have changed the format for that somewhat, so we have to emerge top of a group including Zimbabwe and some other Associates to get into a group with the big boys.
ICC annual cricketer of the year awards: Associate and Affiliate Cricketer of the Year - Kevin O’Brien (Ireland)
IRELAND have been handed a New Year boost with confirmation that they will be playing two ODI’s against Sri Lanka. The games will both take place at Clontarf on Tuesday May 6 and Thursday May 8.
“It’s great news for both the team and supporters,” said Ireland coach Phil Simmons, who by coincidence flew out to Sri Lanka on Wednesday with the Ireland A squad on a two week tour.
“Ireland need as many matches as possible against Full Member sides. It’s how we measure ourselves now in terms of our cricketing progress. We’ll be gearing our preparation towards the 2015 World Cup, and this series is ideal. 2013 couldn’t have gone much better in terms of the fact that we won three trophies and continued our domination against our fellow Associates.
“We did however miss opportunities to claim victories against both Pakistan and England when in strong positions. We’ll be looking to take our cricket to the next level in 2014 by winning from these type of situations, pressing home our advantage when we’re on top.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for our squad to face players of the calibre of Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Matthews, Tillakaratne Dilshan and of course Lasith Malinga. They’re going to be tough opposition but Irish conditions in May will be to our advantage.”
Warren Deutrom, Cricket Ireland Chief Executive said: “We are most grateful to Sri Lanka Cricket for giving us this opportunity. It is clear to all in the game that our performances against the Full Members are becoming increasingly competitive in all formats, and this is another opportunity for us to convert strong match positions into ranking points. Along with our series in the Caribbean and the World T20 this is a strong start to the year and, win or lose, another chance to demonstrate that we belong at this level.”
It will be only the second visit of a Sri Lankan side to Irish shores - the previous occasion was at Eglinton in 1979 when Ivan Anderson’s century helped Ireland secure a draw in the first-class match.
In more recent times Ireland lost their only ODI encounter by eight wickets in the 2007 World Cup, a game which marked the end of Adi Birrell’s tenure as Ireland coach.The teams met again in a thrilling game at Lord’s during the 2009 ICC World Twenty20, when Ireland lost by just nine runs to the eventual finalists.
Ireland are in action later this month when they tour the West Indies before they take part in the ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh in March.
Chaps, what do these new test cricket proposals mean for us? Seems to be positive, does it?
We’re in a great position to defeat the West Indies in a T20 international at the moment. There’s a stream to watch it on the @IrelandCricket twitter page.
Just put it on a few minutes ago. One camera, almost impossible to know what is going on! Would be a good victory, should really finish it off from here. Held Gayle to 18 off 19 balls, rarely see him score so slowly in a T20.
Narine took Poynter there and only conceded one run, but thankfully he’s bowled out now. They took Rampaul for 14 from the previous over, so still in charge here. Need 22 off 24 with six wickets left and Joyce still at the crease.
21 from 23 now…
19 from 22.
Kevin O’Brien off the mark.
16 from 18 needed with 6 wickets in hand. It would take some fuck up not to win this.
Brilliant four by Kev off last ball of the over.
9 from 12 needed.
2 dots from Bravo to Kev but he nails a four now!
We’re going to do it.
3 needed off the last over.