Trying to find a cricket supporter in Ireland this week is almost as difficult as understanding how the complex game is played. More than 1,500 enthusiasts have gone to the Caribbean to watch Ireland making its World Cup debut in Jamaica.
While most people did not even know that Ireland had a cricket team until recently, there are about 18,000 registered players and officials here, according to the Irish Cricket Union.
Ireland's 15-man squad made their debut yesterday playing Zimbabwe and are up against Pakistan tomorrow. "Getting to the World Cup is hugely significant for us and will give a profile to the sport that we never had before," said John Wright, Irish Cricket Union secretary, on the phone from Jamaica.
The Irish Cricket Union is an all-Ireland body and traditionally Northern Ireland was the cricket stronghold. However, that has changed in recent years with Dublin clubs winning the All-Ireland league in five of the past six years, thanks to the increase in immigrants here.
"We have players from countries like New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, India and Pakistan," he said. "It has made a big difference."
For cricket fans who could not travel to the World Cup, the Railway Union cricket club in Sandymount was showing the game yesterday. Roger Whelan was watching at the club and was expecting a large influx of supporters after work.
The 26-year-old bowler is on standby for the squad. Three other Railway Union members are on the team, two of whom are brothers. "That's the thing with the sport, it's family-based. My dad grew up beside this club and my two sisters play. Heather is captain of the Irish ladies team."
Rita Parsons was also watching the game. She played cricket "many moons ago" and loves nothing more than to spend a day watching a game, even if it does go on for about seven hours.
"You nearly have to play it to completely understand it," she said. "People say to me, how could you sit and watch that in the house on a sunny day, but I think it's just lovely."
She agreed that there was a perception that it is "a real gentleman's" game. "Years ago you wouldn't hear spectators screaming or clapping but now you will. Maybe that's why more people are getting interested."
