Rain ruins Ireland’s big day at Malahide

15 minutes after the rain came to halt play in the one-day international between Ireland and England, all 9,000 seats at Malahide Cricket Club were empty and the groundstaff had already begun the clean-up.

Seven hours were still technically available for play, but the weather radar’s stark and ultimately correct prediction that the dark clouds were there for the day prompted a mass exodus of Ireland supporters to the pubs and restaurants of the picturesque north county Dublin village.

Only those in the hospitality tent remained, determined to get value for money from their €300-a-head tickets through food and drink in lieu of any more on-field action.