BLARNEY ARMY KNOCKS AULD ENEMY FOR SIX

IN terms of sporting upsets, it’s a bit like England beating Ireland at hurling, a Jamaican bobsleigh team sliding to victory, or the Equatorial Guinea Olympic swimmer who nearly drowned in Sydney winning gold.

Ireland is today waking to the mother of all underdog hangovers, after the nation’s cricket team beat England to secure their place in World Cup history.

In a miraculous day that led to claims the result could kick-start the faltering economy in the same way as Euro 88 and Italia 90, the “Blarney Army” caused one of the greatest shocks recorded in cricket.

Despite England scoring an apparently insurmountable 327 for eight in Bangalore, India, Ireland achieved a jaw-dropping three- wicket win.

Cheered on by their small army of fans, star man Kevin O’Brien hit 113 — including the fastest century in World Cup history, which took just 50 balls — inspiring his country to a dramatic comeback and giving Ireland a real chance of qualifying from Group B with three games remaining.

In the process, at least one patriotic Irish punter won almost €10,000 after putting €25 on an Ireland win with Betfair.com’s odds of 399/1, when there was still a 221-run gap between the sides.

“This is my Ray Houghton moment,” beamed the man who hit the winning run, John Mooney.

His teammate, the electric-pink haired jewel in the Irish crown, O’Brien, added that while the win will be savoured, no sore heads were expected this morning because “the bars here close at 11pm”.

Cricket has rarely had a place close to Irish hearts — with famed writer George Bernard Shaw once remarking that “as the English are not a very spiritual people, they invented cricket to give them some idea of eternity”.

However, after yesterday’s astonishing win — and the previous achievements in World Cup 2007 when they beat the then fourth-best team in the world, Pakistan — all that may be about to change.

In a statement responding to the result, Taoiseach-in-waiting, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, said the All-Ireland team should expect a heroes’ welcome on their return.

“Ireland’s cricketers exemplified all the best qualities of our nation, playing with courage and pride and showing that seemingly insurmountable odds can be overcome.

“The victory marks one of the finest days in Irish sport. Their supreme effort will lift the spirits of every single Irish person, no matter where they are in the world.

“Their performance is truly inspiring and demonstrates that, with self-belief, the apparently impossible can be made possible and real change can occur,” he said.

Ireland’s rugby captain Brian O’Driscoll also congratulated his countrymen on their achievement.

Ireland falling for the frightfully English game of wickets and overs? Ní cruicéad é sin (that’s just not cricket).