IRELAND’S SPORTING heroes rarely bleach their hair blond with a pink mohawk down the middle. Not until now that is.
Kevin O’Brien stunned the world of cricket at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore last night to help Ireland to an incredible World Cup victory over England by three wickets.
Four years on from knocking Pakistan out of the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, Ireland provided an even bigger shock, considering they had to chase down England’s mammoth runs total of 327 for eight on a batsman’s paradise.
They did it with O’Brien hitting the fastest century in World Cup history in the biggest run chase ever seen in the competition.
And did we mention it was against England? It should make for some good small talk up in the Áras if the queen does pop in for tea this summer.
The pick of England’s bowlers belted to all parts of the stadium to huge cheers from both the Irish contingent of about 200 fans and the locals, who enjoy both an underdog and a big hitter.
The umpires were even forced to change the ball as one six smashed into the concrete terracing that accommodated the local fans, who danced and cheered and waved both Indian and Irish tricolours.
Kevin, whose older brother Niall was also in the team, was watched by parents Brendan and Camilla and girlfriend Ruth-Ann Kilty, who all only arrived in India early yesterday morning.
Brendan, fondly known as “Ginger” in cricketing circles, captained Ireland during his 52 appearances, but he declared yesterday the finest he had ever had in the game.
“It’s the proudest day for me to have the two of them out there. And I suppose beating the old enemy is probably sweeter than anybody else,” he said, before recalling the broken windows suffered down the years in the O’Brien household on Gilford Road in Sandymount.
“A lot, a lot. There was a lot of test matches played in our front garden, him and Niall and their big brothers as well, but it was all worthwhile.”
O’Brien, who is 27 tomorrow, now faces a battle to keep his new hairdo ahead of the clash with India on Sunday.
“My girlfriend doesn’t really rate it,” he said, “she’s begging for me to shave it off, but I might just hold that for a couple of weeks.”
He batted like Samson yesterday, it might be just worth holding on to for now. Taoiseach-elect Enda Kenny said the win would lift the nation’s spirit. “Ireland’s victory marks one of the finest days in Irish sport and my warmest congratulations go out to each and every member of the squad.”
He added: “Their supreme effort will lift the spirits of every single Irish person, no matter where they are in the world. Ireland’s performance is truly inspiring, demonstrating that, with self-belief, the apparently impossible can be made possible and that real change can occur.”