Irish cricket fans to follow team to World Cup Jamaica

Irish sports fans are putting together a new version of the Green Army to bowl over the opposition at the Cricket World Cup in Jamaica this March.

More than 500 fans have already booked into one resort on the Carribean island.

Several hundred more are expected to travel over for the competition – the world's third largest sporting event - and celebrate St Patrick's Day with a mouth-watering clash against Pakistan.

And although they are complete underdogs, Jamaican authorities are planning to keep the atmosphere alive, marking Patrick’s Day with day-long street parties and special events.

The strength of the euro against the American dollar is also a massive incentive for fans combining the World Cup with a Caribbean holiday.

The ICC Cricket World Cup will be held in nine Caribbean countries between March and April next year.

Despite the daunting task of facing the West Indies, Pakistan and Zimbabwe in Jamaica, Ireland have something to build on.

In June 2004 in Belfast they beat the West Indies in a one-day match and the previous year Zimbabwe tasted defeat at the hands of the team.

“Over 500 Irish visitors are booked to stay in Ocho Rios so we're preparing to help them paint the town green,” said Elizabeth Fox, of the Jamaican Tourist Board.