** The Ireland squad were still trying to come to terms with their achievement last night, the World Cup debutants looking forward to six extra matches against the elite of the sport. ** If England qualify - they must beat Kenya on Saturday - they will be Ireland’s first opponents in the Super Eight stage tomorrow week in Georgetown, Guyana and Trent Johnston’s side can then look forward to games against South Africa and New Zealand, also at the Bourda ground on April 3 and 9. After that they are set to have a double header against Australia and India in Barbados on April 13 and 15 before ending their great adventure in Grenada, three days later, against Sri Lanka. Johnston last night could only describe the immediate past and future as “huge excitement”. He added: We came over here to be competitive and put Irish cricket on the map and I think we’ve done that. There have a few things going on around here that have taken the gloss off it (the tragic deaths of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer and North West union chairman Bob Kerr) but the players’ attitude has been fantastic. “I couldn’t have asked more of the 14 guys and staff. It has been such a professional application. The dedication everyone has put in for the last three months has been phenomenal and I can’t thank them enough.We’ve a huge day on Friday, a match against West Indies, a massive game when I hope we can be competitive and bring forward the points (from their group into the Super Eight).” For outgoing National Coach Adrian Birrell, it has been the reward for a masterfully executed plan. “At the team meeting last night, we looked back at how we achieved this and there was a plan. I’m not trying to blow my own trumpet but for the last five years my goal was, possibly not to reach the Super Eight but, I wanted a win in the World Cup,” he said. “We did that against Pakistan on Saturday and now we have qualified for the next stage there is a huge sense of relief, satisfaction and pride at this massive achievement. I’m so proud.” Meanwhile, it will be confirmed today that Ireland’s scheduled Friends Provident Trophy game against Gloucestershire at Clontarf will be postponed. The first game of the season was due to take place on Sunday April 22 but, as that will be just two days after Ireland are due home from the World Cup, the western county have agreed to Ireland’s request for a postponement. The game will now take place on Wednesday May 30. 
http://www.cricketeurope4.net/DATABASE/ARTICLES/articles/000041/004109.shtml
Re: Ireland come to terms with qualification!
Ireland kal WI ko bhi dhoyega 
Re: Ireland come to terms with qualification!
Johnston last night could only describe the immediate past and future as “huge excitement”. He added: We came over here to be competitive and put Irish cricket on the map and I think we’ve done that.
For the last five years my goal was, possibly not to reach the Super Eight but, I wanted a win in the World Cup.”
I might not be able to put this in meaningful terms, but one thing which I really admired from this entire outfit of part-time weekend cricketers is that they play their cricket with such passion and dedication that it is unmatched, however big the currency amount value be attributed to it. They march on the field with a competitve nature and a positive mindset that in high-pressure situations, it is almost impossible to beat. Millions of currency is wasted on this nonsense rewards system (which, shamefully, has been the only system left in its original shape from the beginning and not the one which is most needed), but the element which is lacking, in my opinion, is this......mentality. It is hardly ever seen these days. Matches are decided at the toss of a coin because the body language of captains and those of players are so disadvantageously appalling that sometimes it would just be plain better if the proceedings were to be forfeited. It makes no sense to even play an International game of cricket, let alone anything worthwhile, when you don't have the competitive psychology as a heavy support in your arsenal.
During the post-match ceremony last Saturday, one of the first and foremost points Johnston stated was the inconsistent and repeatedly failed top order and how they targeted it as one of the main factors in making the game 'competitive' (not winnable, but competitive). He said it so positively and forcefully that as I looked at the guy delivering his speech and I thought to myself, "Wow". His facial expressions said it all. Actions speak larger than words and actions are precisely what had taken place that day. If those part-time weekend cricketers of all teams in the world have figured and exploited the weakness(es) of this batting order regardless of what surface the match was played on, it is about time we join our heads together and make sure that a tragedy like this is never re-written in our history books.
Meh, will write about it in a day or two.