Cricket:It may still be eight months away but Ireland's cricketers are already plotting England's downfall when they travel to the new-look Malahide ground for the RSA Challenge One-Day International on September 3rd, writes Emmet Riordan.
Ireland may have lost the previous three ODIs against England here, but all have been close-run affairs, and they will be drawing on the spirit that saw them beat England at the last World Cup in India in what will be the biggest attendance to watch a cricket game in the country.
North County all-rounder John Mooney hit the winning boundary against England in Bangalore last year and he believes a capacity crowd of around 10,000 can give Phil Simmons’s side an edge.
"It’s going to be a great occasion to play England again and it’ll be a superb boost to the team to have a capacity crowd behind us. There’s always an extra edge and a great atmosphere when Ireland play England at any sport and it brings out the best in us all,” said Moone. “It’s extra special for me in the fact that the game is in Fingal and I’m hoping the new venue at Malahide turns into a real fortress for Irish cricket.”
Simmons believes the World Cup victory over England was vital in the development of a mentality within his players that they can come out on top against the best sides in the world.
“There’s a new belief in Irish cricket and that comes from the confidence the players have from beating teams like England. There’s no doubt in my mind that the result in Bangalore brought home to the squad that they belong at the elite level,” said Simmons. "The professionalism on the field has been matched by events off it, and the new international venue at Malahide is going to be a fantastic resource for both the players and the fans. It’s bound to be a magnificent occasion as we take on England, and I’m sure the fans will once again come out in large numbers to support the team.”
Tickets for the game, which will be an all-seated event, are priced at €40 for adults, with a special family ticket for €99 and are available from Ticketmaster.