Ireland got off the mark in the ICC Trophy on Saturday with an eight-wicket victory over Hong Kong, but achieved little either in points or belief that they are capable of claiming the ultimate prize of World Cup qualification.
Kyle McCallan's return failed to lift the seam bowling battery, and it needed the expereince of Matt Dwyer to check the progress of Hong Kong.
The left armer took 1 for 29 from his 10 overs, and in harness with off-spinner Decker Currry applied enough pressure to force three run-outs as the Hong Kong innings lost it's way from 101 to a total of 193 for 9.
Jason Molins took on the responsiblity of seeing Ireland home, carrying his bat for 81 not out, Domnic Joyce played a couple of delightful drives before running himself out for 46, and with brother Ed easing to his second half century in two innings the victory was never in doubt.
But already it looks very unlikely that Hong Kong will qualify for the second stage of, and if so Ireland's win against them won'tr count in the final tally.
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