...for the Home Championship title, their cricket equivalent has a mountain to climb to maintain the momentum of Thursday's exciting tie with Zimbabwe.
Clarence Hiles reports from the Caribbean...
Jamaica has taken the Ireland team and their supporters to heart and there are numerous St. Patrick's Night parties planned this evening. The biggest fete will be at Ocho Rios in the north of the island where most of the travelling Irish are centred and win or lose this is expected to be one mighty celebration. In between the Ireland players have the difficult task of trying to cause the biggest upset of the tournament and they can expect no favours from their highly talented opponents. That memorable tie two days ago has left its mark on everyone and Pakistan will know only too well of the potential banana skin if they give a below par performance and Ireland rise to the occasion.
Therein lies the only real hope of an upset but what a stage for our boys to showcase their talents and champion the cause of the lesser nations.
Perhaps our Patron Saint will make the quick journey across the Atlantic after his work is over in Rome and give us a St. Patrick's Day to remember for the rest of our lives?
