IRELAND went into thw crucial third-place play-off of the ICC Women's World Twenty20 qualifier feeling slightly bruised.
The opponents hold few fears - they've only beaten them once in the last 28 encounters, and that was when Ireland sent a development side in 2010 - but Ireland have failed to click as the event entered its crunch phase and lost heavily to Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
"We're just not batting well", admits captain Isobel Joyce, whose 23 runs in four innings has been a disappointment.
"We know what to do, but have just not being doing it."
Ireland have bowled and fielded like tigers - better than they have for years - but since Clare Shillington's 114no and 81 in the opening games only Kim Garth has passed 20. The Pembroke all-rounder has been a revelation in the tournament.
Just turned 17, she has grown in her role in the side and Joyce is in no doubt she is a star of the future.
"She's a really exciting talent", she says. "And she's still growing so when that finishes and she gets better control she'll really begin to stand out."
Garth is a phenomenon in club cricket - "She almost never gets out", admits Merrion rival Joyce - but has yet to impose that at international level.
"We're only starting to see what she's capable of. Her bowling can be phenomenal - she blew away Bangladesh last year in an ODI in YMCA. Once she gets more confidence at this level she will really shine on the world stage."
Garth has been playing for Ireland since she was 14 - thrown in at the deep end against New Zealand and England - and has already amassed 47 caps.
That's more than her distinguished parents Jonathan Garth (26) and Anne Marie McDonald (13) won put together in their own international careers back in the 1980s and 1990s. (Note to readers: Has there ever been an international sports person been born to two other internationals?)
She has already played in the upper reaches of Pembroke's men's sides, and her mature batting in this tournament, especially her unbeaten 38 against Sri Lanka on Monday, suggests there is far more to come for Kimberley Jennifer Garth.
CLONTARF'S win in the RSA U15 cup was yet another fine performance by a team that has won all round it since they started as U9s. Colin Currie made yet another century, following a brilliant ton in the semi-final which showcased his impressive shot selection and ability to score freely all around the wicket.
I'll wager there hasn't been a century like it by a lad his age since Eoin Morgan packed his bags for London.
Currie made his first XI debut at the weekend and the club will fight hard to keep him - he is a top-class hurler too and that sport has suddenly become a bit more attractive in the capital.
SINCE our cricket renaissance several would-be Ireland stars have turned up from major nations offering their services and hoping for a fast-track cap. Merrion had Queensland opening bowler Ronan McDonald for a time this summer, but he got the hump at being overlooked and flew home early.
A Nottinghamshire 2nd XI player wrote to YMCA over the winter, explaining his Navan roots. Bobby Gamble turned up last month and has impressed in fighting his way into the league leaders' line-up.
Bobby's resourcefulness impressed too -after his first morning in Sandymount he invested in a bucket and mop and by the end of the day he had pocketed €58 cleaning windows.
Tweet of the week: "Delighted to hear the royal baby was named after me seeing as we share a birthday" @georgedockrell
Performance of the week: Greystones CC have bedded down well since their recent foundation - and are now top of RSA Div7 after scoring a whopping 299-1 against Wexford in the N11 derby. David Drane and Steve McGrath made centuries.