IRELAND’S World Cup dream fell at the final fence, but they can feel proud of a performance that at times rattled the giants of the game.

THE party went long into the night in Adelaide and while the Ireland team may not have been celebrating a place in the quarter-finals, they had every right to toast a successful tournament.

Ireland captain William Porterfield has once more attacked the International Cricket Council's decision to cut the number of teams at the next World Cup.

It's all over for this team in this World Cup and, in all likelihood, it’s all over for me in the World Cup competition itself.

WHATEVER the result of Ireland’s last game in Pool B, this Cricket World Cup campaign has been arguably their most successful yet.

William Porterfield was in ebullient mood ahead of Ireland clash with Pakistan.

IRELAND step out onto the Adelaide Oval for yet another of those biggest-in-our-cricket-history matches.

If Ireland manage to beat Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval and qualify for the World Cup quarter-finals, it's a fair bet that one of the O'Brien brothers will be in contention for the man-of-the-match award.

Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup quarter- finals came unstuck in Adelaide on Sunday as Phil Simmons’ charges fell to a 7-wicket defeat against Pakistan.

At some stage over the next few weeks ICC is going to break its silence over the furore about the 2019 ten team World Cup.

Spin bowler Andy McBrine insists Ireland will go into Sunday’s game with Pakistan full of confidence despite coming in off the back of a heavy loss to India.

And so to Adelaide for Ireland’s final Pool B game against Pakistan, our own Super Sunday if you like as two of the remaining quarter-final berths will be decided between Ireland, Pakistan and the West Indies.

Ireland's cricketers trained at the Adelaide Oval on Friday in preparation for Sunday's crucial winner-takes-all game against Pakistan - their final Pool B encounter of the 2015 World Cup.

Roy Torrens doesn't expect Sunday to be his last game in charge of the Ireland squad - he's planning to retire on the high of a World Cup quarter-final.

There's four teams battling for the final three places. The fact that we're one of those four going into the final stages is the reason why the mood is still good.

Zimbabwe wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor has offered his apologies to John Mooney after the Ireland all-rounder was the subject of an "unacceptable article".

IRELAND’S cricketers World Cup hopes are still on the rails despite an eight-wicket mauling by India.

IRELAND’S cricketers were reported to be “angry” at a vicious personal attack on player John Mooney at the Cricket World Cup.

India took apart a diligent but limited Ireland attack to sweep to an untroubled eight-wicket victory and confirm they will top Pool B.

Stats, facts, and summaries ahead of Sunday's crunch match

PERHAPS it needs Bob Geldof to storm into the ICC offices in Dubai, slam his fist on the table and demand: "Give us your ******* Test status!"

William Porterfield post match press conference after India beat Ireland by 8 wickets.

Ireland suffered their second defeat from five games when they came up well short against the current world champions, India.

Ireland are one point away from a certain place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup but no-one is expecting them to gain it in Hamilton when they take on the world champions, India.

ANDY BALBIRNIE has announced his arrival as an international batsman with two half-centuries in the past week.

Victory over India would secure qualification for the quarter-finals; here's the background.

After cutting it fine against the UAE, our coach Phil Simmons said he was getting too old for those sort of games. But us being us, we managed to make this win even more nerve-wracking.

Brainless bowling, sloppy fielding, a controversial catch and panic-stricken batting abounded as the margins between Ireland and Zimbabwe narrowed. But Alex Cusack is blessed with the coolest brain and nerve in Irish cricket and he had the ball in his hand.

Ed Joyce hit 112 as Ireland beat Zimbabwe by five runs after Alex Cusack grabbed two final-over wickets to bowl out Zimbabwe for 326 in their World Cup Group B clash in Hobart.

Ireland coach Phil Simmons admitted to a few nerves as his side scraped home against Zimbabwe but praised his players' 'hearts of steel' in securing their crucial World Cup Group B win.

Ed Joyce has given a birthday gift to her mother by scoring a century and also winning the Man of the Match award in the World Cup match against Zimbabwe on Saturday.

Ireland recorded a nail-biting win over Zimbabwe at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Saturday and in the process gave themselves a wonderful chance of qualifying for the quarter finals of this year’s World Cup.

Paul Stirling has warned his Ireland team-mates that Zimbabwe will still be a major threat despite the loss of their influential captain Elton Chigumbura.

Ireland coach Phil Simmons yesterday gave the simplest of explanations as to why Craig Young has not bowled a ball in the World Cup so far - other bowlers have been bowling better.

WITH a World Cup coming down with batting records, Ireland’s bowling attack isn’t the only one to come under huge pressure.

PHIL SIMMONS is counting on 'home advantage' for Ireland's crucial World Cup match against Zimbabwe in Hobart after conducting a first training session at the Bellerive Oval in cold and blustery conditions.

It is regularly said that Ireland’s next match is the most important in its history. Sometimes it is but most often it is anything but. However Saturday’s match against Zimbabwe falls firmly into the former category.

It's never easy to sit down in a dressing room and find positives when you've been beaten by 200 runs but we know we came up against one of the best sides in the world

Andrew McBrine is hoping Ireland bounce back strong after today's defeat to a very strong South African outfit.

Andrew Balbirnie was happy with his innings against one of the World Cup favourites South Africa.

A look ahead to the vitally important group match against Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe have suffered a huge blow ahead of Saturday's Cricket World Cup clash against Ireland, with captain Elton Chigumbura apparently ruled out due to injury.

Ireland have suffered a big defeat at the hands of South Africa, who battled past the 400-run mark for the second successive match and put one foot in the Cricket World Cup quarter-finals.

Irish bowling found wanting as South Africa pile on the runs in heavy loss.

William Porterfield answers the media after a heavy defeat by South Africa.

One of the men who will be expected to step up is Kevin O’Brien, for so long the baby of the Irish side but who will make his 232nd appearance, a new Irish record.

ANDY BALBIRNIE knows that, but for one stroke of good luck, he could be sitting at home in Dublin watching the World Cup on TV instead of preparing to meet the might of South Africa in Canberra.

WILLIAM Porterfield has no recollection of the catch he took to dismiss AB de Villiers in Guyana eight years ago. But he will be desperately hoping for a repeat when the sides meet.

Having won matches against the West Indies and the UAE in the space of 15 days, the games will now come thick and fast for Ireland.

IRELAND succumbed to their first defeat at this year's World Cup when they lost to a strong South African side at the Manuka Oval in Canberra.

All the salient stats ahead of Ireland's third group match

Irish Coach Phil Simmons is happy with the way preparations have gone for Ireland's huge World Cup encounter with South Africa.

As they prepare for their toughest encounter yet in World Cup 2015, Ireland's John Mooney says Ireland need to concentrate on getting their plans right and not worry too much about the opposition.

Irish Captain William Porterfield is looking forward to catching up with his Mentor and Ireland's former Coach Adi Birrell when Ireland square up to the mighty South Africans.

A fantastic start to the World Cup has seen Ireland move above Afghanistan in the ICC rankings ahead of Tuesday's high-profile encounter against South Africa in Canberra.

It was Birrell, now Assistant Coach of South Africa, who took Ireland to the promised land when, three years after taking over as National Coach, he led them to the final of the 2005 ICC Trophy and qualification for the World Cup finals two years later.

THE Irish players were out to dinner in Canberra on Friday evening when the texts and tweets started to come in. Someone checked an online scorecard and blinked. 'AB de Villiers, not out 94, 49 balls'.

If Ireland needed an incentive to focus on the one area that has been mis-firing for them so far, it was provided by AB de Villiers smashing an astonishing 162 not out from 66 balls against the West Indies in Sydney.

JOHN MOONEY has designed an attachment to his batting helmet, protecting the neck at the back and side of the head, that could save lives in the aftermath of the Philip Hughes tragedy.

ALEX CUSACK has been central to many of Ireland's recent triumphs but few would have given him as much pleasure as watching from the other end as George Dockrell hit the winning runs on Wednesday night, just a few minutes' drive from where he grew up in Brisbane.

The Ireland squad were given the day off in Canberra after a second straight win at the World Cup but National Coach Phil Simmons admits there is plenty of work ahead for the bowlers.

But it’s not just this year’s competition on Joyce’s mind. He is furious at the International Cricket Council, the governing body of the sport, with its decision to make qualification for the next competition so much trickier.

Players, backroom team and supporters will have had time to take stock after Ireland’s brilliant start to WC2015 and no doubt there will be plenty of food for thought ahead of Tuesday’s huge test against South Africa.

GEORGE Dockrell was Ireland’s unlikely hero with the bat as they made it two wins out of two to consolidate third place in Group B at the World Cup and keep them on course for place in the quarter-finals.

Niall O’Brien says Ireland got out of jail against the UAE as they made it two wins from two at the Cricket World Cup.

THE bottom line of two World Cup points was achieved, but Ireland nearly messed it up in a thriller against UAE.

Skipper William Porterfield reflects on a narrow two wicket win over the UAE.

We need to talk about Kevin - again. Well, not just my brother Kevin obviously, but hitting 50 off 25 balls changed the momentum of the game and, along with Gary Wilson, they turned an awkward situation into a win.

Kevin O'Brien revived memories of THAT innings four years ago as his broad bat again rescued Ireland from a tricky situation with a barrage of fours and sixes to set up a nerve-tingling two-wicket World Cup victory over the United Arab Emirates at the Gabba.

Ireland's Coach Phil Simmons was a relieved man following a thrilling two wicket victory of a gallant UAE team in Brisbane.

Ireland's Master Blaster, Kevin O'Brien rediscovered his mojo today when it was most needed.

As he so often does with the ball, Dockrell delivered with the bat this time, helping to steer his side home to a 2 wicket victory with 4 balls to spare.

Ireland coach Phil Simmons was interviewed for the job of West Indies coach in January, the Irish Daily Star can reveal.

The long wait is almost over and Ireland, finally, get the chance to make it two wins out of two when they face the United Arab Emirates at the Gabba in Brisbane.

At home, there's nothing strange about being stuck indoors in February because of high winds and torrential rain, but it's not the sort of thing you expect to be dealing with during the Australian summer.

George Dockrell has never lost to the United Arab Emirates - and neither have any of his team-mates - but Ireland are well aware that familiarity and complacency could be the biggest dangers.

Ireland made it two wins from two games at the start of their Group B campaign with a thrilling victory over the United Arab Emirates at the Gabba on Wednesday.

No Irish Complacency As Simmons Puts Ireland Through Tough Preparation for UAE Encounter.

Porterfield Says Ireland Expecting and Preparing for a Very Tough World Cup Encounter from UAE at the Gabba.

Cusack’s Clonmel-born father will be at the Gabba on Wednesday and hopes his son can force his way back into the starting XI.

George Dockrell believes that the attitude of the current squad is the best he has ever seen and the Dubliner is confident that Ireland will account for the UAE in Wednesday’s Cricket World Cup clash at the Gabba.

The pressure continues to mount on cricket's governing body following the ICC's decision to reduce the next World Cup to 10 teams - and none other than Sachin Tendulkar has added his massive influence to the argument.

Ireland could go top of World Cup Pool B with a big win against the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday – but the ‘Boys in Green’ are perhaps a little further from qualifying for the quarter-finals after the weekend matches.

Gary Wilson gave up the chance to retain the captaincy of Surrey because he did not want to miss an Ireland match.

From the man in the street to elder statesman Sir Everton Weekes there is widespread recognition that Ireland is a formidable opponent these days and competes on the same level.

NIALL O’Brien is Ireland’s most experienced tourist and he has a simple goal at this World Cup. He wants to be the leading run-scorer for a third successive tournament.

Perhaps one day they’ll erect a monument to the Irish cricketers who kept taking on and beating the best teams in the world.

Ireland opening batsman Paul Stirling is not one of those. He is a cricketing Paul Scholes, wary of press attention, uncomfortable with the formality of the interview process, and cautious with his words.

THE Irish team are still dreaming of greater things after their win against West Indies.

The chortling could be heard from Brisbane to Balrothery -another World Cup group game between two 'full members' of the ICC and another hopeless mismatch.

The Ireland squad were forced indoors as they resumed training ahead of their second World Cup Group B game against UAE next Wednesday.

Facts, form, and statistics as Ireland prepare to play the UAE

Ireland young gun Andrew Balbirnie said he revelled in the team's remarkable win over the West Indies, but insists they must now focus on the task ahead against the UAE next Wednesday.

Ireland are refusing to have their World Cup plans blown off course either by inclement weather or by reports linking Phil Simmons with a return home to coach the West Indies.

Experienced Irish Batting Coach Matthew Mott Impressed With Batting Depth as Ireland Head to Brisbane for UAE Clash.

Kyle McCallan, the former Ireland international and record cap holder, is the latest to go on the attack against the International Cricket Council's treatment of Ireland.

Cricket Ireland President Joe Doherty will undoubtedly have enjoyed the first leg of his World Cup journey following Ireland's win over the West Indies.

Phil and Lendl Simmons' family rivalry was not the only one at the Ireland versus West Indies game at the Saxton Oval in Nelson earlier this week

Brisbane was bracing itself for the arrival of Cyclone Marcia, just hours before the Ireland cricket squad arrive in the city.

Graeme McCarter has travelled to Australia to provide stand-by support for the Ireland team currently participating in the World Cup.

Kyle McCallan slams ICC and says Eoin Morgan can't play with freedom for England.

THE next time Ireland face West Indies, National Coach Phil Simmons could be in charge of the opposition.

It’s a fantastic achievement to chase 300 runs in any game and to do it three times at the World Cup is absolutely brilliant for the boys to be involved with.

What a day, another great win for Ireland in a World Cup but this one was slightly different. It was our best win by far. I’m talking about how we dominated the game for 75 of the 95 overs that were bowled.

Brian Stirling saw his son Paul Stirling being out to Khan the first ball in the 2011 World Cup in India.

After he hit the winning runs against England in Bangalore, Johnny Mooney hurled his bat high in the air and screamed as his teammates charged on to celebrate.

It wasn't a shock. It really wasn't. When John Mooney hit the winning runs the earth failed to move as it had seemed to four years ago in Bangalore when a similar boundary beat England.

Ireland's love affair with the World Cup is alive and well. It took the class of 2015 just one match to promote themselves to one of the favourites for a quarter final place alongside the elite of the game.

As the winning boundary from John Mooney’s bat crossed the rope the camera cut to a shot of the Ireland dressing room area. Unlike the scenes of unbridled joy in Bangalore in 2011this time there were merely congratulatory smiles, pats on the pack and the occasional hug.

Following Ireland's stunning victory over two times World Cup winners the West Indies, Newstalk's latest recruit Pat Kenny talks to one of Ireland's newest recruits Andrew Balbirnie.

Morning Ireland's Gavin Jennings talks to RTE Sport's John Kenny who was in Nelson, New Zealand for Ireland's excellent World Cup victory over the West Indies.

Ireland's Coach Phil Simmons says Ireland excited him with the brand of positive cricket they played.

One down, five to go for Porterfield as Ireland beat West Indies.

Niall O'Brien delighted with Irish win but looking ahead to rest of competition.

Ireland chase West Indies' 304 to win by 4 wickets with 25 balls to spare.

Captain William Porterfield says both he and the Ireland squad are in a ‘good place’ going into their World Cup opener here against West Indies

Ireland and West Indies too are pitted together tonight in a game that is already crucial for both sides, and with added spice for Ireland coach Phil Simmons.

It's a short distance from a slap on the back and a kick up the backside

When Ireland take the field against the West Indies in their first match, they will be cheered on by more than the handful of green-onsied or leprechaun-costumed travelling fans in the 6,000 crowd at Nelson.

Ireland kick off their World Cup tomorrow night in Nelson, a game that will be crucial to their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.

This is John Mooney’s third World Cup. In 2007 he soloed the ball in tribute to his pals back in Man O’War GAA club. In 2011 he smashed the winning runs against England.

EIGHT years after Ireland made their mark on the world stage with victory over Pakistan at the World Cup,
William Porterfield leads the class of 2015 into the opening match of their seventh global event.

With the first match in World Cup 2015 looming large Ireland's Gary Wilson is looking forward to Ireland peaking at the right time.

Sorensen took his omission well, and worked hard when brought to Dubai for pre-World Cup training as a net bowler. It was there in the desert that he learned of his reprieve because of Tim Murtagh's injury.

Fingal warrior John Mooney produces great display as Ireland win in Sydney.

One of Ireland's rising talents Andrew Balbirnie showed today why he's so highly thought of by those who know a thing or two about this great game of cricket.

Andrew McBrine has made an impressive start to the tour.

Ireland put Tuesday's disappointing defeat to Scotland well and truly behind them in Sydney when William Porterfield's men recorded an impressive four wicket win over Bangladesh at Blacktown.

Stats, facts, and form ahead of this Sunday's match against the West Indies

IT’S hard to underplay the significance of Ireland’s opening fixture in the ICC Cricket World Cup next Sunday night.

IRELAND suffered a serious setback to their World Cup plans when they went down by 179 runs to Scotland in Sydney.

Ireland’s official World Cup warm-up programme got off to the worst possible start in Blacktown as William Porterfield’s men were on the wrong end of a comprehensive defeat by old adversaries Scotland.

No excuses from Porterfield as Ireland fall to embarrassing 179 run defeat to Scotland in World Cup warm-up match.

THE next eight days will be crucial for Irish cricket - on and off the field.

Brett Lee has joined up with the Irish squad this week for some sessions with the Bowling Unit. Vastly experienced in the Antipodean conditions, Lee should be a fountain of knowledge for the Irish attack.

Ireland opening bowler Craig Young on the opportunity to work with Brett Lee and the chance to bowl against Chris Gayle.

On the eve of the last ICC World Cup to feature four Associate teams, the timing could hardly be better to launch a book about cricket’s Second XI, the countries destined to be forever on the outside with little prospect of joining the ICC’s elite.

Having served both the North West and the parent body with great distinction over the past couple of decades Joe Doherty is an ideal figurehead to represent Ireland during this tournament.

Ireland slumped to a five wicket loss against Sydney based Randwick Petersham in their 50 over friendly at a sun drenched Coogee Oval.

William Porterfield's reaction to Ireland's defeat by Sydney grade side Randwick and Petersham.

BRETT LEE will aid Ireland's World Cup preparations after agreeing a short-term deal with Cricket Ireland to act as their bowling coach during the warm-up period in Sydney.

Brett Lee will aid Ireland's World Cup preparations after agreeing a short-term deal with Cricket Ireland to act as their bowling coach during the warm-up period in Sydney.

We are staying in a suburb to the South East of the city called Coogee. It’s fairly safe to say that there are worse places we could be. The cricket ground is literally a stone’s throw from both the hotel and the beach.

Ten days before Ireland play their first match at the World Cup finals, they get their first taste of action Down Under tomorrow when they face leading Sydney Grade side Randwick Petersham.

On the 16th of February Ireland’s third successive 50 over World Cup campaign will get under way against West Indies in the New Zealand South Island city of Nelson.

Coming off the field at the Kensington Oval having been annihilated by Australia in 2007, senior members of Ireland’s playing staff commented that the opposition were of “a level I’ve never experienced before.”

Ireland have been given a further World Cup boost with the news that Pakistan left-arm quick bowler Junaid Khan has been ruled out of the competition because of a hamstring injury.

The decks have now been cleared and following a short, well earned break for the management and players last week, the Ireland cricket squad landed in Australia yesterday as World Cup work began in earnest.

In his column for the News Letter, Ireland wicket-keeper Gary Wilson gives the run-down on the Irish World Cup players and backroom staff.

West Indies call up Miller, rankings mountain for Ireland, and umpire appointments for Ireland's matches.

Ireland's bid to make their mark on the ICC Cricket World Cup next month has been given a boost – by getting the chance to qualify for the next one.

Batsman Ed Joyce is upbeat on Ireland’s chances of putting in a good showing at the upcoming Cricket World Cup and making it through the initial group stage and into the knockout rounds.

It was the new playing strip which attracted most of the attention at the sponsorship announcement in Dublin.

Tourism Ireland will be Ireland's team sponsor for the ICC World Cup which gets under way in Australia and New Zealand next month.

Ireland excited about the challenges of World Cup and the following tournaments.

IRELAND bowler Tim Murtagh’s World Cup dream ended yesterday when he was ruled out with a foot fracture.

MAX Sorensen, the most controversial omission from Ireland’s World Cup squad, will be involved in the Finals in Australia and New Zealand after all.

Former Irish captain reflects on past World Cup glories with Ireland.

Stress fracture in his right foot rules Tim Murtagh out of World Cup. The Hills' Max Sorensen replaces him in the 15 man squad.

Event Technical Committee of ICC has approved Max Sorensen as a replacement player for Tim Murtagh in Ireland’s squad for the tournament, which starts on 14 February.

After an injury-free 25 days, Ireland have confirmed that the squad currently in Dubai preparing for four one-day internationals against Scotland and Afghanistan will be the 15 for the World Cup, starting next month.

The squad is the same as that touring Dubai for four ODIs against Afghanistan and Scotland next week.

There are no changes to the 15 players named last month for the training camp and tri-series in Dubai against Afghanistan and Scotland.

Paul Collingwood believes the Associate nations can cause further upsets at the World Cup.