The rain followed the Irish cricket team to the Caribbean and in the end it was the rain that ended their participation in the Twenty20 world cup.
After a turgid batting display had cost Ireland against the West Indies on Friday night they faced England in a winner takes all encounter on Tuesday night.
Led by the evergreen Trent Johnston, ably supported by Kevin O Brien and young spinner George Dockrell who at this time next year will be to busy sitting the leaving cert to play in this event, the irish stifled Englands batsmen restricting them to just 121-8 from their 20 overs.
If England's Eoin Morgan hadn't smashed a quick fire 45 from 37 balls England's score wouldn't even have approached respectability. If only Ireland could produce batsman of his calibre,(Unfortunately the last one we had was Eoin Morgan a couple of years ago).
Ireland got off to a bad start when Paul Stirling was caught for a duck in the first over. Then with Ireland on 14/1 and the game finely balanced, the heavens opened shutting the door on Irelands hopes of a memorable victory.
In the Sky commentary box Nick Knight was full of praise for the Irish efforts especially Dockrell who he said might " Be playing for a different team in a few years". Michael Atherton looked embarrased exclaiming "Are we just going to keep nicking their players ?".
Based on this performance they might be best served to keep doing it.
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