A very good read and some very interesting points made. Ireland are definitely improving and should be given sufficient funding to become a regular opponent, especially for England. When you see the heart that goes into the competing players in other sports, cricket should be given the same chance so that those gifted players such as Ed Joyce are able to progress with the country of their birth rather than having to qualify for other nations.

What a delightful read.I'm an Australian of Irish descent and am proud to see Ireland have qualified for the ICC World Cup in 2007 in the West Indies.
I know that Mr Power said he was hoping they'd win one game.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if they won two games.
I believe they can beat Zimbabwe, given the state of the game there, as well as Pakistan.
They are so inconsistent.
I had relatives who immigrated to Australia and they told me about 20 yrs ago now, that cricket was only played by businessman in Ireland.
The game has come along way since then.
I would like to see Cricket Australia invite, the Irish cricket team for the Commonwealth Bank Tri-angular series in the future, possibly along with either Zimbabwe or Bangladesh.
I think it would certainly attract attention with the public, because the teams are relatively new.
The only problem being gate receipts and revenue for Cricket Australia.
They could even just play a 5 games ODI series in Northern Australia or far north QLD, during the winter.
The weather's still quite warm.
I really hope the Irish public get coverage of the World Cup.
I know they are broadcasting every game here in Australia, albeit on Pay per view.
The super 8's are on Free to air.
It wasn't that long ago that the Socceroos were competing in their second FIFA World Cup in Germany and they were far from disgraced.
You know in Ireland that football as you call it, isn't big in Australia, but there wasn't one person, who wasn't switched on during that tournament in Australia.
You have one thing going for you apart from the Australian cricket team and that is you have Aussie ex-pats in your team.
They will not die wondering, they will give it their all, as I hope you all do over there.
If you know anyone who has satellite or cable.
SUCK UP TO THEM.
DO NOT MISS THIS TOURNAMENT.
Apart from Australia, GO IRELAND,TO BE SURE.
Ed Joyce was a highlight during the recent Triangular series in Australia for England.Ther should be no shame from the Irish people, for what he's done for England.
When he scored that century, I was crying, because it meant so much.
Christ if we can play you guys in Rugby,Footbal, then why the hell not cricket.
I played the game, unfortunetly, I had to retire because of a back injury, but if I was healthy and good enough.
I'd have played cricket in Ireland, just so I could represent.
I hold an Irish passport.

Great article. Clear vision and leadership being brought to bear on Irish cricket. The goals being set are ambitious but realistic and with a bit of luck who knows how far we can go at the World Cup. Glad to see the boys put a perfomrance in yesterday as well.