AFTER SUFFERING BACK-TO-BACK defeats during the week, Ireland bounced back this morning with an emphatic win over Jersey to subsequently book their passage through to next year’s ICC World Twenty20.
It had looked like John Bracewell’s side would have to settle for a place in the playoffs after suffering unexpected, and almost ignominious, reversals to Papua New Guinea and then Hong Kong.
However, results went their way on Sunday afternoon as the group stages of the qualifying tournament concluded with Ireland doing enough in the end to top Group A.
It means they progress automatically to the 2016 edition of the tournament in India and book their place in Saturday’s semi-finals of this tournament.
It marks an incredible turnaround for Ireland who have remarkably escaped a shootout with Associate adversaries Afghanistan or Netherlands on Tuesday.
They are indebted to USA and Hong Kong who pulled off wins over PNG and Namibia respectively.
Earlier, Ireland made light work of the challenge of Jersey at Malahide in what had ultimately become a knock-out game.
John Mooney took a hat-trick as the islanders were bowled out for 122 and Ireland cantered to victory with Paul Stirling, awarded the man-of-the-match award after picking up three wickets, plundering a half-century.
Ireland must to wait to discover who their opponents will be in the last four as they go in search of a fourth straight title in this competition.
More importantly, however, is that their place in India is already assured.
