Low point in Ireland's fairytale
Barbados - Paul Davey set out to make a documentary charting Ireland’s experiences at the World Cup and it has turned into an epic. What could have been a two-week stay in Jamaica is now entering its fifth week.
The Irish amateur filmmaker is putting together a narrative covering the team’s fairytale tournament. There have been highs, like the victory over Pakistan on St Patrick’s Day.
And there have been lows, like being bowled out by Australia for the lowest total ever at the Kensington Oval in a match that was over by lunchtime.
Any disappointment Paul and Ireland’s band of supporters felt on Friday was tempered by the knowledge the side had already far exceeded pre-tournament predictions.
“Beating Pakistan was the high point. We were there with zero expectations – just there for the party,” says Paul. “And the tie against Zimbabwe was fantastic as well, although it has been forgotten with everything that’s followed it.”
Paul’s own story is the best place to start the tale. While running near his current home in Sydney he came across an Irish cricketer coaching Australian youngsters. It turned out to be wicket-keeper .
“I came up with the idea of a documentary, approached the Irish Cricket Union and they have been fantastic,” he says. “I’ve been allowed to go anywhere to film.”
He stops short at trying to interview captain Trent Johnston from behind his cap and sunglasses on the morning of a match, though. That might require extra danger money.
Cash looked like it could be a problem when Ireland made it to the Super 8. In fact, on the morning the team was due to move to Guyana, Paul didn’t have the cash for the flight.
However, telecoms multi-millionaire Denis O’Brien, who also as a reward for reaching the second round, stepped in to fund flights and accommodation to make sure the project is completed.
Along the way there have been some outstanding tales, and they keep coming.
Adrian Rafferty, the 6ft leprechaun who led the Irish conga at Sabina Park, is now back home in Australia and reports that he has built a party stand in his house. At 4am on Friday night he and a neighbour were dancing the conga around his living room.
Paul is proud of the footage he shot of burly Ireland team manager Roy Torrens’ desperate, and ultimately unsuccessful, attempt to fish a practice ball out of a roadside storm drain in Georgetown, using a borrowed net and pole.
More poignantly, opening bowler David Langford-Smith, who has a speech impediment, overcame nervousness about being interviewed because he felt he could prove to any Irish child in a similar situation that it is no barrier to achievement.
Paul hopes to have the project finished in the next three months, including some interviews with players once they are back at home, looking back on an amazing experience.
Meanwhile he had his camera in the post-match news conference, which began at the time the second innings was supposed to.
Ireland skipper Johnston refused to be downbeat, joking that he still hadn’t seen the four 90mph deliveries he faced from Shaun Tait.
Coach Adrian Birrell did admit, though, that there has been some mental “bruising” inflicted with successive defeats to New Zealand and now Australia, which he hopes won’t have an effect on the side ahead of Sunday’s seventh-place decider against Bangladesh.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting was glowing in his appreciation of what Ireland have achieved so far but tried his best not to be drawn on whether they should be at this stage of the competition.
Whatever the arguments, the last month has been a great story, and it is not finished yet.
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Have Australia ever beaten Ireland at Hurling?
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Good grief, Ricky Ponting must be hard up for approval to need to tell us all how brilliant Australia's form is against Ireland. Is there any limit to the man's arrogance?
Makes me think of Glenn McGrath telling the world that his wicket-take against Scotland (mixed amateurs, part-time professionals with a couple of professionals added in) was 'the best of his career'. Yeah, right, pull the other one.
Give me a break. Let's compare like with like, shall we?
I totally question the whole structure of this interminable World Cup. Why have Australia played no seriously international team apart from England? Why have England already played 3 (NZ, SL and Aus)? There ain't no logic.
Why is this thing not structured like a football league - e.g. 1st layer, 2nd layer, 3rd layer, with the top people from each layer getting the chance to move up? It would make far more sense. Also, how about, the World Cup, the World Vase, the World Plate for whichever team in their respective layer wins?
For crying out loud can they sort it out for next time (and the pricing, and the musical instruments!!!!)
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I think the Ireland team have been superb, they bring with them an amazingly high spirit, and a wonderful crowd. I think the movie will show everyone who thinks they are a waste of time just how much they feel for the sport. Well done to the producers, and well done to the team for doing so well in the tournament. Losing to Australia that bad may hurt them but they need not be disheartened as if anybody saw the way they slaughtered other teams e.g. South Africa, then they will understand the Aussies show no mercy.
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To make up for the lack of ±«Óătv television coverage at this world cup they should get hold of this documentary and show it on what used to be Grandstand. An inspirational story of what's great about cricket.
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I am a bit confused about some stuff .... people complain about the Irish being in the Super 8's rather than Pakistan, but they all played three pool matches and Ireland scored more points than Pakistan. It's great to see them there. Who knows, maybe in a few World Cup's time maybe they will be genuine semi contenders.
I like the idea of the documentary. Wonder if the ±«Óătv can show it at some point? The Irish have brought a breathe of fun to a tournament that sorely needed it. They deserve all the plaudits they receive.
Glynne Williams - your contribution has absolutely nothing to do with the article itself. It was just another piece of Australian bashing sentiment that permeates a lot of these blogs along with deriding off the tournament. At least let the Irish have their moment before you slag off everyone and everything. If you want to bash the Aussies got to 606 or one of the newspaper blogs. There are always plenty of like-minded souls there.
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Australia probably do have the right to be abit arrogant. No team has come even close to them this tournament, including SA, WI and England (We'll have to see if SL or NZ can come close or beat them - there is a chance)
About these "poor" games. They wouldn't be here if Pakistan and India had trounced these teams like everyone else (mostly) have. Their fault, better luck next time. Agreed though that it's unfortunate that we the spectators can't see better games but that's how it is.
Cricket is too long of a game to be shown on Terrestrial TV live. More important things like all those random Sci-Fi Drama shows and all that have to be put in!
Except for Horse Racing and Golf of course, those can last as long as they want. As long as the highlights are shown @ 11.30PM and like 5.00AM respectively it's all fine, right?
Yeah right.
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Don't get me wrong, Joshua - I'm absolutely not questioning the right of Ireland to be in this tournament: on the contrary, I think they're fantastic and I was absolutely on the edge of my seat listening to TMS when they were playing Pakistan. It was terrific. But I do question the way the tournament is run and the way it is structured, and I see that there are some serious questions being asked of David Morgan of the ECB who will be taking these over to the ICC next Monday.
I totally and absolutely support the lesser teams and I do think it's right for them to participate in a World Cup. What I think is all wrong is that at this stage of the tournament the big teams like Australia are pitched against a much lesser team (this isn't judgemental, it's just fact) and are pluming themselves about how fantastic they think they are. What's the matter with them? Australia haven't played anyone of international test level except for England. What's going on at this tournament?
Am I misunderstanding the whole thing - I'll be happy to be told I'm wrong and told why.......
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Martin,
It seems there is a different flavor to your stay in Barbados as opposed to your stay in Guyana.
Does Paul Davey have a website? I would like to get a copy of his documentary when it comes to market. It would be interesting to see what footage of Guyana makes it into the documentary.
Barbados is going to prove a problem to sides such as Ireland and Bangladesh who aren't accustomed to fast bowling.
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yeah damn those aussies glynne, why couldn't they take 45 overs to score 130 like england that's what people really pay to watch.
At least our boys dont go out and get pissed when we beat mighty teams like canada.
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Are the WI and SA not considered "seriously international" then? For that matter, do English fans still consider their team "seriously international"?
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The problem with cricket is that only about eight teams consistently play the game with a high degree of skill. Although Ireland played well above themselves to get into the Super 8, most would accept that - nine times out of ten - Pakistan will defeat them in a competitive one day match.
If, in common with soccer, cricket boasted fifteen or sixteen high calibre teams, then the teams reaching the Super 8 would be highly competitive. The problem, however, is that - in international terms - cricket is not really a global sport. Although the soccer world cup also has its "also rans", the final eight teams in the quarter finals are usually quite evenly matched. Much as I would have liked Ireland to perform well against Australia today, the reality is that it was a mismatch.
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A dreadful mis-match. According to reports Ireland expected to be hammered - wrong attitude entirely though I suppose realistic in the circumstances. Australia it seems went all out to make themselves look good and the opposition look pathetic - in which they largely succeeded.
Sport? No.
Entertaining? Dunno, can't get coverage here, but not something I'd care to watch anyway.
I feel sorry for the Ireland team, but they got themselves into it. Had they been more competitive in previous matches this probably would have been shrugged off, but the reality is that Ireland are not on par with Bangladesh.
Only another two games to go - it must seem like a lifetime!
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Glynne Williams must be watching a different world cup to the rest of us. Could I remind you Glynne that we have already beaten not only England (twice if you include the warm up matches), but South Africa and the West Indies.
I will confess that Sri Lanka and New Zealand will provide the truest test of Australia's ability as they are without doubt the other two teams most likely to carry off the trophy at the end of the tournament.
But I have little doubt as to the strength of Australia at the moment - South Africa only began their current wobble after being comprehensively beaten by Australia in the first round. Up until that point they appeared to be justifying their new status as the best one day team in the world.
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re. glynne. mate, you're a "seriously international" grade A twit! the empire's gone bud! dissapeared! how on earth can you claim australia has had an easier run than the poms? they had sth africa in their group, and having brushed them aside have rolled over the windies and bangladesh, all of these sides (including the latter) are far superior to england. i could go on, but your comment was so stupid that i won't dignify it with any more of a reply. and please, don't choke on yr muesli!
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Sounds like that will be a great documentary.
To the Irish boys, we're still proud of you all. Don't get downbeat about this defeat. Australia have done similar things to the 'big boys' like England in the past.
Lets show the world that Irish spirit bounces back up and never gives up. We've come a long way, so lets approach the remaining matches with renewed concentration, skill, heart and courage. Lets continue to learn from the top players and teams, and aspire in the medium - long term to their level.
Before we went out to the West Indies we were quite a few levels below the top teams, but we have already hauled ourselves up a few notches. There are a few more to go so lets keep it going. The huge defeat by Australia may well be the biggest learning curve so far for this Irish team. Their professional and ruthless approach was an eye-opener I'm sure for our guys.
When it is all over, this World Cup experience can be brought home and be the main ingredient in the progressive future of Irish Cricket.
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Hi all you who are having a go: no I'm not anti-Aussie - fascinating how you have completely misunderstood what I've written.
There 's an awful lot of us out here who don't enjoy teams being thrashed. That's nothing to do with whether they are English or not and no I'm not remotely interested in the Empire either. I'm a Europhile.
What I don't like is that superior teams plume themselves and try to make out what a fantastic performance they've given against teams who don't measure up to them. If there were some proper league system as in football, it would be a different World Cup and the stadiums possibly would not be empty either. Sorry chaps, I stand by what I said: I think it's utterly pathetic that someone of the stature of Ricky Ponting or Glen McGrath is having the utter brass face to tell us that their performance against a minnow is 'the best of their career'. No mate it isn't. If they're comparing it against Murali Muralitharan then that's a very different ball game and I will entirely respect what they say (and agree with it).
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The reality is that most people in Ireland would like the rugby team to play well in the Rugby World Cup in France. Few of them care all that much about the cricket. Faced with a choice of a semi-final place in the Rugby World Cup or winning a single game in the Super 8 series, 99.5% of the Irish population would choose the first option. We have no illusions about the cricket team.
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I wouldn't celebrate just yet me dear little Aussie cons. Your goose will get cooked at the Semi-Finals by either South Africa or Shri Langka. Mark me words.
Not that I wish to contradict ye, but England are not "big boys' in the cricket world. The tiny Shri Langkans would fit the expression better.
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Martin,
I hate to be negative, however I dread that I would never get to see the Documentary here in the US, nor would I be able to purchase it. Reason is as with most cricket DVDs produced, they are almost always only playable in Europe or Asia. You will be surprised how little is done for the North American market. The exception being India, but unfortunately they only make DVDs of matches won by India.
A great example of poor marketing is the Ashes series won by England (seems like such a long time ago). It was one of the most exciting and riviting series in recent memory, but again the DVDs were primarily for the European market and by the time they were available for NA, England was already on theway of returning the Ashes to Aus.
I have said it before and I'll keep saying it... Cricket is the most poorly marketed sport. Al anyone needs to do is google the team site for any American baseball or football team and you will see what's available for sale. At the team sites for the Test nations, you will see a cap (and it's a baseball cap), a T shirt and maybe 1 0r 2 DVDs.
I'll get off my pulpit now.
There is great potential for the Irish here. The ICC must strike while the iron is still hot. That means more immediate international exposure for the Irish. Teams visiting England should be made to play at least 1 "unofficial" test and maybe a couple of one day matches against Ireland. Perhaps making the ODIs a 3 team competition. Furthermore, the ICC should subsidize the salaries of at least 20 players, coaches and trainers for the Irish team for a pre determinied number of years or until they (Ireland) can stand on it's own. Ditto for Kenya.
By the way does anyone know of any good cricket movie? Kipperbang and Laagan (Indian) are the only ones that comes to mind.
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"I totally question the whole structure of this interminable World Cup. Why have Australia played no seriously international team apart from England? Why have England already played 3 (NZ, SL and Aus)? There ain't no logic."
Sorry, aren't South Africa and West Indies "serious international teams?"
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It was only a matter of time I guess. Stu's contribution includes the following: "the empire's gone bud! dissapeared!" [sic].
I'm assuming you're Australian Stu. It really is amazing how Australians bring up the empire all the time. As a brit, I don't think about the empire from one year to the next. I guess it's because the empire is of no relevance to us, whereas for an Australian it is, of course, crucial, because the empire is the only thing that gives there very presence in Australia any legitimacy. It is funny though, since my ancestors weren't the colonials, but Stu's were!
Anyhow, I've dignified your nonsense more than I should, so I'll stop now.
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Glynne Williams wrote:
"Hi all you who are having a go: no I'm not anti-Aussie - fascinating how you have completely misunderstood what I've written."
I think more pertinent is that in two posts you based your whole argument against the structure of this world cup, on the apparent 'fact' that Australia have only played England (as a serious international team...which is quite ironic in itself). When other posters pointed out how flawed your argument was - Australia have also played and well beaten South Africa (world #1) and West Indies (Champion's Trophy finalists) - you completely ignored them, misrepresenting them as somehow 'misunderstanding' you.
Your argument was flawed, based on a completely incorrect 'fact', and for that matter (on your other point) I didn't see Ricky Ponting lording over the press conference...I just saw a captain very happy with the form of his team. Which would be a reasonable statement at this point I'd imagine. Perhaps now might be a good time to admit you were seriously mistaken, before you climb any deeper into that hole you're digging...
;)
Kind regards,
Greg
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Very disappointing, my favourite players let me down. Why Eoin?????? Why? I have been mourning the drop in the lad's form.
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Well done Ireland for making the super 8's, revenge will be sweet once you thrash us in the other world cup in September, nothing has been won yet....
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Regarding the empire being "gone":
Britain still owns Australia - fact.
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Glynne, I think you lost all credibility when you referred to England as being a "seriously international team" and you can only play the opposition that is in front of you.
Once again there appears to be people who mistake confidence for arrogance. Australia went out there saying that they wanted to beat Ireland, and beat them well. They did that and I don't believe they were disrespectful, just honest.
England went out against Bangladesh and said they wanted to avoid a banana skin, and only just managed it.
As to your point about GM, do you honestly think that in his memoirs he is going to be writing about the time he took 3-14 against Scotland? He has a habit of saying things to wind people up and it looks like it worked for you. Bet you were indignant about both of his 5-0 predictions too.
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Great to see Ireland and Bangladesh putting some added interest into this world cup.
Well argued Greg, I couldn't believe Glynne Williams comments regarding the pedigree of Australia's victories so far. Is he just a casual observer?
A successful world cup depends upon the uncertainty of results to add to the interest. Australia may well be knocked out at the semi-final stage as the final four sides will all be solid. But if Australia maintain their form, another side will have to play well to eliminate them.
As an Australian, I don't have a confident expectation that they will win this world cup. Sri Lanka and New Zealand are fine sides that are playing well and any team will have to play very well to beat them. However, Australia has a great record in world cup cricket, and whatever happens in 2007, most countries wouldn't mind emulating their cricketing achievements.
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Is there some kind of one-off one day tournament between England and other local teams? Would they start one up even? Australia and New Zealand have their Chappell-Hadley tournament (best of 3?), though they have much fiercer cricket rivalry than poms vs anyone local... just a thought
As the Ireland captain alluded to, the fact that they got to play Australia more than makes up for the fact of how they would play against them, with both teams being leagues apart anyway. There wasn't much doubt this was going to be a horribly one-sided affair. Nice work in giant-killing to get to the top eight though!
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Mike2 old son, the only thing England currently owns of Australia is the Union Jack in the corner of the flag (and only the red cross of St. George). Give it a couple of years, and that will be gone too. China, the U.S. and Japan have more influence on present-day Australia than poor old England has. These days the "empire" doesn't extend past the Channel Islands (and the Falklands, if you want to start an argument with the Argentinians again).
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I'm an Aussie cricket fan. I came in here to congratulate Ireland and their fans for their indominatable spirit and their friendly spirit of competition. I am very disappointed to see a whole lot of messages in here accusing Australia of being "arrogant" and of all sorts of "sins" such as playing hard against Ireland.
Seriously! Think about what you're saying. Australia gave Ireland's players a HUGE amount of respect by always saying they were not going to under-estimate them and by the very fact that they DID NOT GO SOFT WHEN PLAYING IRELAND.
Had Australia pulled back and played less than their usual determined ferocious game just because it was Ireland that - to me - would have been arrogant and insulting. But they did the opposite. They took the match seriously.
The only time I saw Australia give a hint of not taking the Irish team seriously was when McGrath hit White(?) on the helmet. McGrath would not normally look so worried and approach the batsman so fast. Normally he would be thinking - well, you should be good enough to get out of the way! But he's a nice guy who knows the Irish players have not had the experience to play that kind of bowling with the skill of England or South Africa. He was worried he'd hurt the batsman. But that was as far as any of them went - the rest of the time they treated Ireland like equals.
Please stop bagging Australia for no good reason. They paid the Irish the ultimate compliment and pulled no punches, from the moment Ponting sent them in to bat to the very last 6 hit by Hussey. That's called respect. Would you have it any other way?
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Ireland have done well to reach this stage and the result was never in doubt because is far much superior than Ireland in cricketing terms. However, the real test for Australia will be against Sri Lanka and New Zealand and only then can we see good Australia really is.
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Ireland will be playing Sri Lanka....can Ireland upset the Lankans.
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Well done, Ireland. Can't wait to see the film!
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My understanding, from the TMS interview with Paul Davey, is that copies of the completed video will be available from the Irish Cricket Union (also known as CricketIreland). Send away for one, everybody - part of the proceeds go back into the sport in Ireland.
But you work for the Beeb, Martin - can't you persuade them to show it on national TV? I think it would be a splendid antidote to the current money-mad state of world cricket. The Irish and the Bangladeshis have reminded us that cricket is supposed to be fun - anathema to the English or the Australians, I know, who care only about winning the prizes (or in the case of England, explaining why they never do!)
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Less of a low point in Ireland's fairytale, and more just a harsh lesson from the masters of the one-day game. No disgrace in that. What Ireland has achieved in qualifying out of their group (of 3 test playing nations least that fact is overlooked) is nothing short of phenomenal. They've been reasonably competitive to a commendable degree in each of their super 8 games bar the Aussie encounter. I for one am immensely proud of their achievement and hope that these efforts can be built upon to support the game back here in Ireland. To TJ and the lads, well done, heroes all.
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To Glynne, you have to be joking. A rough definition of arrogance is "A person who is arrogant may exaggerate their own worth or importance in an overbearing manner."
There is absolutely nothing that is over exaggerated or over bearing in the way the Aussies have reviewed their own performance. There are very few teams covering as many years (if any) that have been as dominant and talented as the current group of Australian cricketers.
It makes me laugh that you question the structure of the World Cup. Australia haven't had any serious competition because when all teams play their best, THERE ISN'T any!!
Ireland are a joke and the funniest thing is, that most of their top players are Australian. HAHAHA!
SO, Glynne, Ireland are the charity team this World Cup and in my opinion don't deserve to be there.
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I would rather not agree to the comments that it was the low point of Irish cicket. But the whole Ireland met a wounded monster and were simply crashed with such venomon but they should hold their heads high for reaching this stage of the tournament. Because at one stage they knew that their fairtale run was bound to be ended. Australia are the defending Champions and known to be very cruel with so-called minnows and to Ireland till next time but people will remember the "wicket celebrations" most and hope in the next five years that spark is still there.
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England owes us a whole load of affirmative action and compensation for all the nasty stuff they put us through. but ofcourse they won't. because the debt is too great
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re: Post#38 Justice wa Baruti wrote:
I would rather not agree to the comments that it was the low point of Irish cicket.
So what would you say was the low point then ?
But the whole Ireland met a wounded monster and were simply crashed with such venomon but they
Australia are not monsters, just a great cricket team.
Do you think they should have played at less than their full ability? Then they would be accused of either not respecting Ireland, or of possible match fixing.
Australia are the defending Champions and known to be very cruel with so-called minnows
Please let me know how you think Australia should have played? Should they have let Ireland score a few more runs? Toyed with them for a bit longer perhaps ?
I am interested to know what you think they should have done?
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A word to Jacki:
As an Irish fan, I just want to say Thanks! You're right. Thrash us if you can, that's what it's all about. We don't want anyone holding back cos they're scared of hurting our feelings.
We compete above our weight in a lot of sports, but cricket..! C'mon, I've never even SEEN cricket played in Ireland, so I think we're doing well.
Now living in France where you'll never see a minute of it on TV (let alone Gaelic sports), so the doc will be welcome.
Ben said Ireland 'don't deserve to be there'... Isn't it rather India, Pakistan et al who no longer 'deserve' to be there???
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Well done to the Irish lads making the Super 8's. I did feel sorry for you the other night when you were pounded by our mob but good to see you didn't drop your heads and pushed to the end and didn't make any excuses for the loss. Perhaps the South Africans can learn from your example and not blame every one and thing apart from themselves when they get beaten.
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Of course Ireland deserve to be there, it's not like they were put in to make up the numbers. Pakistan are out, so let's make it a Super 7 then...
Just like if England had been beaten by Canada in the group stage, then Canada would have deserved to be in the Super 8's.
Funny thing about sport is that it is a meritocracy. Just like Manchester United will only win the Premiership if they deserve to do so....
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In response to post No:23
Quote Nick: "why is the British Broadcasting Corporation using British taxpayers money to promote Irish republicanism".
Nick, the local council is called "Derry City Council".
The British built Guildhall in the town center has original stained glass windows where the city is always referred to as, "Derry", and it was built in the 1800's.
The vast majority in the city call it, "Derry" and to top it all the flag in question is a "Derry City Football Club" flag.
This is 2007, Nick, not 1972. Respect and mutual acceptance are the buzz words now - whether you like it or not.
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Sad, in a way that Ben misuses his own language, viz., most of the Irish players are Australian. Three of the Irish players who played against Australia were born there and had played for either New South Wales or Australia at a representative level. Since when did three out of eleven players ever constitute 'most of' ? Next, Ben will be telling us that Kevin Pietersen is really South African.
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2nd high point of Ireland fairy tale ? Hitting 243-7 against Bangla Desh and putting Ireland in with more than a fighting chance of winning this match.
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Pauls brother David works in our office in Birmingham and has keept us up to date with the behind the scene stuff that has been going on. David is very proud of his brother and the rest of us are all very jealous as we sit toiling away while Paul is having the experience of his life! Not bad for someone who did not know one end of a cricket bat from the other until 3 months ago!
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I have interviewed a few times by Paul for his documentary & he has some amazing footage. I am really looking forward to seeing it all put together as the final product.
The 6'6" leprechaun.
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Paul's now put together a site that will follow the production of the documentary.
He's already got quite a few behind the scenes photos...
Worth a look if you want to find out more.
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