CRICKET: On a chilly November evening last year, the usual suspects gathered for the annual Malahide Cricket Club dinner in the pavilion of that picturesque ground. Once the meal was over, the various speakers rose to their feet in the traditional manner. Some were amusing, others were thought-provoking and others still were neither.

But it was when the coach of the national team, Adrian Birrell, stood rather awkwardly to address the gathering the evening came alive.

Birrell began hesitantly, complimenting his hosts on their fine club and thanking them for his invitation. Then he slipped into territory where he was far more comfortable. He spoke in his soft, South African tones, about the Irish team, the World Cup and how the two were about to be linked for the first time.

He spoke about the road to the World Cup 2007 as if it was his odyssey, his quest and ultimately, his destiny to reach its end.

It was a remarkable speech from a quiet but nonetheless passionate man. What came across very clearly was his faith that not only did he have the resources to become the first coach to lead an Irish side to the World Cup but that no excuses would be acceptable if he failed in his job. No stone would be left unturned, he said, no route uncharted and no idea untested to make sure that Ireland would be going to the Caribbean in 2007.

What he did not say, but clearly implied, was that it was his sole job to make it happen and nothing else really mattered. Beating the West Indies in a one-day international in 2004, humbling Surrey in the C&G Trophy that same season and beating Zimbabwe the year before were all well and good as far as they went. European Championship and Triple Crown wins were nice.

But the World Cup was the only serious benchmark upon which his tenure as coach would be judged. Qualify, and show me the love, he seemed to be saying. Fail, and never speak my name again.

"Our time has come," he declared before retaking his seat at the top table in Malahide Cricket Club that November night. One or two people rose to their feet as applause spread quickly around the room. They obviously didn't get it.

After a speech like that it was clear: all standing ovations were on hold, all champagne was on ice and all praise was guarded. Playing well but falling just short was no longer good enough. Playing poorly but still qualifying for the World Cup was okay.

It was that simple. If we qualify, he seemed to say, you have yourselves a coach until the World Cup at least. If we don't, you'll have my resignation the same day.

The ICC Trophy, which gives Ireland that opportunity, runs in Belfast, Derry and Dublin from July 1st-13th and any top-five finish will be enough.

While Birrell knows the likes of Denmark, the Netherlands and Scotland quite well, some of the other teams will provide less familiar challenges. Who knows what UAE side will arrive, with their range of Pakistanis available to them? Or USA, with all their organisational troubles but no shortage of talented players? Or Namibia? Or Uganda? Potential problems litter the road from here to the West Indies.

This Irish team have achieved a lot since they were taken over by Birrell not long after the disastrous 2001 ICC Trophy but we are now entering the crucial weeks of this administration. All that has gone before is merely preamble, a curtain-raiser to the main event, and if they are going to gain maximum benefit from home advantage in the ICC Trophy his summer, they need large and partisan Irish crowds to turn out.

If you ever thought about supporting the Ireland cricket team, now would be a good time.