Ireland Provide Early Morning Cheer With Clinical World Cup Victory Over West Indies

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.


Gavin Jennings: Ireland have beaten the West Indies at the Cricket World Cup. John Kenny is in Nelson New Zealand, where he's been commentating on the game for the BBC. Good morning John. Beating the former World Champions, it's a great way to start the week, and the World Cup. How did they do it?

John Kenny: Eh well it's good evening actually now here in Nelson, New Zealand. The clouds have parted, there's a bit of late evening sunshine here. And yeah, what a way to start the World Cup for Ireland. And the comprehensive way they beat them, suggests this wasn't a fluke. Ireland now really need to be seriously taken on the world stage. If you go back to 2007, green wicket and all that, beating Pakistan. A come from behind victory with Kevin O'Brien in 2011 against England. This was a measured, controlled victory against a real powerhouse in World Cricket.

Gavin Jennings: A real powerhouse, who are now 8th in the World Rankings, whereas we're what, 11th John. Was this as much of a shock as those wins in the previous two World Cups?

John Kenny: No certainly not. It was a real, as I say, measured performance from Ireland. They had the West Indies in trouble at 90 for 5 at one stage. But Lendl Simmons and Darren Sammy settled the Windies, a stand of over 150. Simmons made 102. His side then made 304 for 7. We were thinking you know, 300 odd, that's going to be tough for Ireland. But the way they responded, the likes of William Porterfield and Paul Stirling, laying the platform for Ireland's response. Stirling commanding form, 8 runs short of his century, 92 won him the man of the match award. But if you actually look at the further contributions from Joyce who made 84, Ed Joyce that is. Niall O'Brien who made an unbeaten 79, taking Ireland over the line. And John Mooney, hitting the winning runs, remarkable because he actually did the same thing four years ago against England in Bangalore.

Gavin Jennings: I saw one tweet from a Fox News Presenter saying ``No wonder England have an Irishman as Skipper, the Irish can't find a spot for him. They're killing it. Sad times for the West Indies.'' John we've got the UAE, South Africa, Zimbabwe, India and Pakistan to play next. How far do you think we could go in this tournament?

John Kenny: Well the case in being, the point in being is Ireland think they can make the Quarter Finals, if you get three victories. They would have coming out here targeted the likes of the UAE who are a fellow Associate Nation, and Zimbabwe who have been slipping down the ratings. And they'd have to knock off one of the Test Playing Nations, as you mentioned it, the likes of India, South Africa or Pakistan. But the West Indies we knew were vulnerable. The first match of the World Cup, they hadn't played well in their warm up games. Beaten by England, who are no world beaters themselves. They only beat Scotland by 3 runs, don't forget in a warm up game. Ireland knew they could take the West Indies down, and that's what they've done today. A brilliant start from Ireland. But of course they have to take it on now. They can't just win one game and say that's it, our World Cup is over. They've got the UAE next on the 25th of February. We're heading to Brisbane for that. And you know, get two wins out of two. The quarter finals could be nearly assured at that stage.

Gavin Jennings: I know you're there in a working capacity, but you're also a fan. Were you alone? Was there many Irish in the crowd?

John Kenny: A good crowd yeah. I sent back some reaction from the crowd here, so hopefully you might be able to play a little bit later on. But yeah a good crowd here. Not quite the St Patrick's Day fever of 2007, because it's a long way to come to Nelson. But some of the ex-Pats who live in Christchurch and Wellington have made their way down to the game today. Six thousand in the crowd, a great atmosphere. Beautiful town, Nelson in the foothills of the Richmond Mountains. Absolutely gorgeous stunning place. Recommend to anyone come here for a holiday. We were taken out by the Tourist Board yesterday who showed us around, and we really enjoyed our night. But we're going to enjoy tonight even more after this victory today.

Gavin Jennings: John great start to the week. Good to hear from you, talk to you again later in the programme. That's John Kenny reporting live from Nelson, New Zealand, where Ireland have beaten West Indies in their opening game at the Cricket World Cup.