After the fairytale of Tolka Park, it's back to reality for Ireland's rugby league players. The reality is this is a team that should shake England; that could even topple them in a much anticipated quarter-final tie next Saturday.

They were unconvincing in beating Samoa in Belfast and lacked sparkle in defeating Scotland in their first match in Dublin. But on Saturday night all the potential and promise finally burst through as the New Zealand Maoris, Ireland's toughest opponents yet, were out-fought and outthought in a passionate and rousing victory.

From the non-stop drive of prop and captain Terry O'Connor to the incomprehensible finishing pace of 35-year-old winger Mark Forster, the performance didn't just bring the crowd to its feet. It also lifted a World Cup competition that has been crying out for an under-dog team to prove itself capable of chipping at the egos of the established rugby league nations.

Ireland's lead of 12-0 at half-time at Tolka Park owed as much to their defending as it did to the finishing of their two wingers.

The veteran Forster had charged down a kick and raced in from 40 yards for the first try, and Brian Carney twisted out of a couple of tackles for the second. Steve Prescott landed two goals.

Time and again, though, in that first period, the Irish defence repelled waves of Maori attacks.

In the second half, Ireland dominated. David Barnhill galloped in six minutes after the break, just after Steve Prescott had kicked a penalty, and Ireland's date with England was now beyond doubt.

Desperate Maori handling kept the ball alive long enough to finally stretch Ireland's defence beyond breaking point, and Boycie Nelson zipped in at the corner with 49 minutes played.

But Ireland's reply was instant. Gavin Clinch picked the pockets of the Maoris, stealing the ball from a tackle and setting up the position for the powerful centre, Michael Withers, to tear through.

Ireland then had the luxury of a lead that wasn't threatened even when Hare Te Rangi and Wairingu Koopu both scored tries. And they still had the most satisfying finish. Scrumhalf Ryan Sheridan skipped past a static defence in the last play of the game. Prescott's conversion had a noisy crowd of just over 3,000 in raptures.

The cheers and applause of Tolka Park should still be ringing in the ears of the Irish players when they take to the pitch at Headingley next Saturday.