O'Donoghue congratulates Irish Cricket Team following qualification to the World Cricket Championships 2007

Mr. John O'Donoghue, T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism today (7th July, 2005) congratulated the Irish Cricket Team who qualified for the first time for the Cricket World Cup to be held in the West Indies in 2007. Qualification was guaranteed following their win over Denmark to secure a top two finish in Group A of the International Cricket Council Trophy.

Minister O'Donoghue said "This magnificent win for the Irish team is testament to their determination to compete on a world stage. In recent years Ireland have taken huge progressive steps at club, provincial and international level and have, to date, achieved quite remarkable results. The continued development of the Irish Cricket team has, today, brought it to it's first ever Cricket World Cup, a massive achievement by any standards. The Irish Cricket Team has many outstanding cricketers at the moment and it is fitting that they will be able to play at the highest level in 2007."

"I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the squad through the Manager, Roy Torrens. A special mention must be given to Coach Adrian Birrell, Captain Jason Molins, new record cap winner Kyle McCallan and the outstanding player Ed Joyce. I must also congratulate the Irish Cricket Union who have had a huge success in hosting the ICC Trophy. I would like to, on behalf of the Government, to congratulate the Irish Cricket team on their achievement and wish them continued success throughout the World Cup in 2007."