Cricket World Cup: Ireland in the Super Eights

Super Eights

Fan mail overwhelmes Irish team

From www.irishcricket.org by Robin Walsh, 17th April 2007

The young Irish rugby mascot who endeared himself to millions of television viewers at Croke Park has now touched the hearts of the Irish cricketers. Daniel Moloney made a huge impression when he stood beside skipper Brian O'Driscoll during the formalies at the historic game against England.

Now a card of congratulations - complete with photograph - he sent to the cricketers after their St Patrick's Day triumph over Pakistan is taking pride of place in a remarkable collection of mail that has inundated the team.

Irish team manager Roy Torrens is well used to comings and goings at his hotel room but nothing could compare with the traffic on the fifth floor of the Barbados Hilton on the night the mail was delivered.

Team members trooped in and out, spending hours in amazement as they read thousands of letters and cards of congratulations.

The greetings from all over the country - and further afield - came courtesy of An Post after it had offered free delivery following the Pakistani victory.

But although the messages were written weeks ago, they have only now caught up with the players. They arrived in Jamaica just after the team had left for Guyana and they arrived in Guyana just after it had left for Barbados.

"But the wait has been worth it." said Torrens.

"The players have been taken aback by the volume of the mail. It's overwhelmed them and they are very, very grateful for the wonderful support."

Young Daniel Moloney wrote that the St. Patrick's Day rugby match against Italy had ended in disappointment because although Ireland won they had failed to clinch the Six Nations Championship.

He wrote: "We were delighted to hear of your success on St. Patrick's Day - and wish you well for the rest of the tournament."

Dozens of schools - a lot of them without any tradition of cricket - have written with many pupils sending their greetings to particular players they've admired on television.

And one new found supporter reported that a ceile organised by a GAA club had to be cancelled because the men folk wouldn't leave the bar until after the Pakistani game.

"It's been remarkable," says Torrens. "But what's more remarkable is that I understand only half the mail has been delivered so far. "