| Ireland to face an old friend and
foe  Ireland
face England in the first of their super eight games in the cricket World
Cup on Friday and will line up against a familiar face.
Wicklow man Ed Joyce will endeavour to burst his fellow countrymen’s
bubble and send England to a resounding victory.
The 28-year-old was called into England’s side for this year’s
Ashes series in Australia and has become a vital part of England’s
stuttering outfit.
Joyce actually played a number of games for Ireland in the Inter Continental
Cup but in July qualified to play for England by virtue of his residency
on this side of the Irish Sea.
Ironically this isn’t the first time that Joyce has faced his
fellow teammates. In June of last year he played in a one day international
against Ireland in Stormont Park, Belfast.
Amazingly Joyce’s younger brother Dominick lined-out for Ireland
in the same game.
Meanwhile the Irish team have thanked their supporters in the Caribbean
for backing them thus far.
Known as the Blarney Armey up to 2,000 Irish supporters travelled for
the side’s group games with more expected to make the journey for
the clash with England.
Irish captain Trent Johnson said: “The noise they made was definitely
a factor in our qualification. I think it’s fair to say we won over
the Jamaican public and they backed us all the way.
“It was a great boost to have so many present, not just from Ireland
but also from America, South Africa and Australia.” |
