An Irish Fan dressed as a leprechaun

Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter

WHEN THE Irish come to party it's serious business.If you mix that party with cricket, the result is pure excitement.

Those who were not at Sabina Park yesterday not only missed the third tie in Cricket World Cup history, when Ireland and Zimbabwe both made 221 off 50 overs, but they also failed to taste real Irish party.

"No problem, man," commented one Irishman, who said he was there to bring luck to the team.

Come Saturday, Ireland play Pakistan and he says that with that being St. Patrick's Day, they are going to win that game and advance to the Super Eight stage before the semi-finals.

Pure optimism, but, pay it little attention. He is in the Party Stand where liquor flows.

Despite cricket still being an amateur sport in Ireland, hundreds of Irish supporters took up residence at Sabina Park yesterday to cheer on their team.

If you think Jamaicans were vibesy, think again their their dancing may seem offbeat, the Irish, particularly those in the Party Stand, converted a few Jamaican girls, who also tried unsuccessfully to copy their style.

Go merry making

Irish fans who turned up at Sabina Park for their Group D minnows clash - Ireland vs Zimbabwe - in the ICC Cricket World Cup match at Sabina Park, Kingston, yesterday - not only came to bask in the warm Jamaican sun, but they came to party. There was hardly a dull moment at the park, as the Irish, with liquor as impetus, partied to the end the result they wanted, a win, did not come. - Photos by Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

At the signal of an Irish boundary or the fall of a Zimbabwe wicket, the leprechaun men and members of the 'Blarney Army' took the opportunity to go merrymaking.

And even in dull periods, they broke only to gulp a few beers.

"Read my eyes," Adrian said, as he spoke of the power and taste of Red Stripe.

Moments before, he had picked up his wife, Kylie, after Zimbabwe's Stuart Matsikenyeri failed to score off the day's last ball.

The Irish supporters thought they had won and were almost uncontrollable until the realisation set in that the scores were level and it was a tie.

Maybe for the first time in the day Adrian is staying still and it is only because he was speaking with The Gleaner.