But a group of young Irishmen are defying this image with a brand of fast, colourful and aggressive cricket that has taken this country into the World Cup finals for the first time. The atmosphere of Italia '90 is starting to build around the squad who are hopeful of doing Ireland proud in Jamaica.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for the team, and a great boost for Irish cricket", says captain Trent Johnston, "The interest being shown by the cricketing public in the country has been fantastic, and I know how much the players are enjoying the increased media attention, which the game so badly needs in Ireland."

Coach Adrian Birrell, whose arrival in 2002 sparked a renaissance in the game, is confident that Ireland can do well. "There's a lot of work to be done as we prepare to play in the World Cup for the first time in our history. There's a huge challenge for us out there, and of course an opportunity to put Irish cricket even more firmly on the map. I'm confident that we'll play good cricket in those games, and if we bring our A game with us, then who knows what might happen? We have been preparing both mentally and physically for the World Cup for a long time, and the attitude and commitment of all the squad has been exemplary.

"We've played big names before, and taken a few notable scalps along the way. I'm backing my team to do well, and hopefully we'll produce some notable performances."

The first game - against Zimbabwe - is Ireland's best chance of success, and victory would provide the momentum to take the team into games against world powers Pakistan and the West Indies.

Ireland's current success has not been achieved overnight, and the development of cricket has been assisted by the enormous support received from WhitneyMoore, Solicitors, who have been sponsors of the Senior League in Leinster for more than 10 seasons. The firm's commitment to the progress of the game is also obvious in its championing of the annual young player award, won by several members of the squad including Kevin O'Brien and Eoin Morgan.

Staging the World Cup in the West Indies is akin to having the soccer equivalent in Brazil or the rugby world cup in New Zealand. This is where cricket is played with the greatest passion, where the game means more to people than a harmless pastime.

The Irish public will wake up this month to the third biggest sports event on the planet, and with our own team there for the first time. It's going to be special.

IRELAND SQUAD Trent Johnston (Clontarf, captain) Andre Botha (North County) Jeremy Bray (Eglinton) LHB Kenneth Carroll(Railway Union) Peter Gillespie (Strabane) Dave Langford-Smith (Phoenix) Kyle Mc Callan (Waringstown) John Mooney (North County) Paul Mooney (North County) Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) Niall O' Brien (Northants) Kevin O' Brien (Railway Union) William Porter"eld (Rush) Boyd Rankin (Derbyshire) Andrew White (Unattached)