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Subscribe to RSS Feed johnston - we let fans down
Hussey - enjoyed his knock.
Ireland captain Trent Johnston admitted his giantkillers had "let down the fans" after slumping to a comprehensive nine-wicket defeat to Australia.
Having exceeded expectations by beating Pakistan to reach the second stage of the World Cup and stayed relatively competitive in the other Super Eight matches, Ireland were emphatically beaten by the world champions at the Kensington Oval.
Put in to bat, Ireland were dismissed for a lowly 91 - the ninth lowest total in World Cup history - with man of the match Glenn McGrath claiming three for 17 and Australia wrapped up their triumph in only 12.2 overs in reply.
They were watched by a strong contingent of the Blarney Army and Johnston conceded: "We don't want to disappoint the fans because a lot of people have travelled from Ireland to watch these two games and we were disappointing today and let them down.
"We're going to go out there in the next game against Bangladesh and firstly play for ourselves and secondly play for them because they've been fantastic.
"It's been the one thing that's guided us through this World Cup, especially the group stages in Jamaica. If we can do well in the next game, hopefully we can send them home happy again.
"It's disappointing because there would have been people watching this back in Ireland and seeing us not putting up such a good show as we have in the previous games."
Johnston stressed: "We were outclassed by a better team, you don't have to be Einstein to work that out.
"It's unfortunate because we set out to be competitive today and it didn't turn out that way and that's why they've been the best team in the world for the last 10 years.
"It wasn't great, but we fought there until the end and I'm pleased with the effort we put in on the field.
"They bowl good areas, tied us up and we got out. Our top order didn't come to the party and it's pretty difficult when your top four batsman get two runs between them."
Delighted Australian captain Ricky Ponting, whose side are now assured of a place in the semi-finals, said: "We did what we had to do today, which is pretty pleasing.
"Sometimes in a game like this you can be a little bit off the pace and just go through the motions, but we were far from that today - we didn't let them hang around in the game and be nuisances.
"I think the Irish boys would have been a little bit nervous about the game today, playing against some people they probably sat back and watched on television over the years.
"That situation can become a bit daunting and with (Shaun) Tait and McGrath sharing the new ball, that could have happened to any team today."
McGrath's three wickets take his haul for the tournament to 18 and establish him as the leading wicket-taker in the competition.
But he had little sympathy for the Irish part-timers, adding: "When we play well there are not too many teams in the world that can beat us and Ireland probably aren't up to the standard of other teams.
"It was always going to be a tough day for them. Unfortunately for the spectators and viewers, the game was cut by half.
"If all goes well there are another four matches left, then I'll hang the boots up. I'm really enjoying it, making the most of it and I'm happy with the way I'm bowling and think I've been fairly consistent.
"Taking wickets is good for the confidence and it shows how well the team is playing that our top three bowlers are in the top six or seven wicket-takers in the tournament."
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