Joining The Blarney Army

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Ireland fans celebrate victory.

By Tristan Holme

It was quite a weekend at World Cup 2007, one which began on an incredible high and ended with great sorrow.

It was Ireland who really got things going, inspired by at least 1500 Irish fans, the occasion of St. Patrick's Day and Trent Johnston's rousing team talk.

As the rain came down with Ireland still 40-odd runs from victory, Johnston called his side round him in the dressing room and told his players, "Listen. We need 40-odd runs to win this match, and if we don't get them then you'll be going back to repairing tractors (to Dave Langford-Smith), you'll go back to the machinery plant (to Andre Botha), you'll go back to being an electrician (to John Mooney) and you'll go back to farming (to Boyd Rankin)."

Despite a late collapse, his words did the business as Ireland swept to a surprise victory.

With the elation that followed, I felt I had no option other than to take up an invitation to board a bus to Ocho Rios (with nothing but my laptop, camera and the clothes on my back) where the Sunset Jamaica Grande Hotel was hosting the Irish fans and players for a huge Irish Fest.

Chaos ensued as the team arrived at the all-inclusive resort to a hero's welcome with the lobby packed with singing fans.

In between performances by the Duffys and the Irish dancers who had graced the opening ceremony, the team appeared on stage and manager Roy Torrens gave a hearty speech that ended with the immortal words, "...and so to Mr. Michael Holding, we say 'you can take your comments back, because we deserve to be here!'"

Mr. Torrens now has the responsibility of contacting all the players' employers to let them know that they'll probably have to do without their workers for a few more weeks.

It was an expensive do, but as 'a member of the Irish media' I was allowed in for free and let loose on the free bar, even though they were not expecting me, so long as I promised to write nice things about them.

Given what was on offer, they had nothing to worry about.

The party was meant to end at 2am, but a traditional Irish sing song involving players, media and fans (and even a Pakistan supporter!) continued until the first hints of sunlight.

I woke with a headache, but in true Irish spirit was taken down to the bar by the pool by my new friends.

It was here that we heard the sobering news of Bob Woolmer's tragic death, and it broke the jovial atmosphere that had preceded it, with the Irish players becoming particularly glum.

It came as a terrible surprise, especially given the way Woolmer conducted himself after Saturday's defeat.

At the post-match press conference he almost seemed to have come to terms with the loss and was eager to remind people that this is just a game. He hailed it as a positive day for cricket and readily congratulated the Irish team for outplaying his side.

Asked about his future in the game he said he 'would have to sleep on it'. Unfortunately, cricket was robbed of a great servant before that decision could be made.

It's a huge blow for the game, but if anything it served as a reminder that it is just that - a game.