Ireland’s brave bid falls short

IRELAND’S bid to win cricket’s European Championships was left in tatters despite a commanding win in their final match against whipping-boys Denmark.

Adrian Birrell's side cruised to victory in Utrecht, only to see the English Cricket Board XI's narrow win over hosts Holland ensure they retained the crown they first won two years ago.

The Irish finished with three wins from their four games - having defeated the Dutch and Scotland over the last two days - but they were left to rue a cruel bowl-out defeat against the ECB on the tournament's opening day.