View from the outside: Different disciplines, same delight

DERMOT BOLGER (Novelist):I saw the end of the match and yes, it was very exciting. I watched the match against Pakistan four years ago and that was almost as exciting.

I always think that there is more of a pleasure when Ireland excels in one of the minor sports than the bigger ones. In the major sports, like rugby or football, there is always such hype around it. One of my most mesmeric 20 seconds or so was when an Irish athlete (Clifton Wrottsley) in the Winter Olympics a few years ago came down the mountain on his mother’s tea tray.

One of my favourite parts of Co Dublin is out towards Skerries in a place called Man O’War, which has a wonderful cricket ground. Cricket has lots of these little local clubs. But yes, when we beat England we win the World Cup don’t we?

BERNARD DUNNE (former World Champion boxer):I watched it during the day and in the evening. You kind of thought that England had the match won, but the Irish spirit came back and the Irish team showed what they were made of. I'd never watched cricket before. But Wednesday's match was incredible. The last 50 balls was truly edge of the seat stuff. It really, really was fantastic and I'm delighted for them.

If we’d beaten Sri Lanka or India it wouldn’t have been such a big deal.

But beating the English and the way we were able to beat them made it so incredible. Sure, if we beat England at Tiddlywinks that would be a reason to celebrate.

SEÁN BOYLAN (GAA coach):I watched it twice. I watched it when it was on and then again at 1.30 in the morning. It was just absolutely spectacular, fantastic. It was spectacular to get so many things right at the right time. They came up about 10,000 leagues, and you were just overawed by the quality of how they played. So many lads were so good. It was like an England hurling team coming over here and beating Kilkenny.

I wouldn’t be an authority, but what I saw was just amazing, and the range of hits. Some of the cricket England played this year was immense. They are full-time professionals. That’s their job.

Ireland were incredibly well prepared and you can see if the right environment is created it shows you what can be done. They deserve huge credit.

BRIAN KERR (Faroe Islands football manager):I saw bits and pieces of the match. I saw them when they were down and not looking that great, then I came back when they had five wickets left. It was absolutely brilliant. I've always had an interest in cricket and I'd keep an eye on the results when Ireland were playing. I went to the odd Test match in England when I was there, so I was delighted for them.

It is hard for sports like cricket to make an impact.

It was brilliant, brilliant stuff. All that tension in the last few overs . . . and when it came to the last over you were still questioning it. Cusack was great with O’Brien. I thought it was emotional stuff. Given England’s history in the sport, it was an amazing result. It’s really hard actually to get a handle on how big it was.

DES CAHILL (Broadcaster):I watched it in the most incredible atmosphere. I went to Woodbrook Golf Club and there were a few people watching it inside on the television. That grew to 20 people. That grew to 40 people. That grew to 60 and 80 and 90 people. They just kept coming in because of all the shouting. People were coming from the locker-rooms, the car park, the putting green. It went from two guys knowing something about the game of cricket to about 50 experts by the end of the match.

There really was an unreal buzz in the room. It is one of those things you will always remember. I do think the fact that because it’s 50 overs it’s more manageable for the Irish psyche. The aggression and the fact that they have to go for it makes it attractive for the players and for the average sports fan.