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.