Stirling effort helps Ireland win

Paul Stirling played the key role as Ireland got their World Twenty20 qualifying campaign back on track with a seven-wicket win over Jersey in Dublin.

In reply, Stirling put on partnerships of 44 and 47 with William Porterfield (17) and Andy Balbirnie (32 not out) before falling for 55 having accrued seven fours and a six.

Porterfield was caught on the boundary by Corne Bodenstein off the bowling of Antony Hawkins-Kay with the score on 44.

Left-armer Stevens trapped a sweeping Kevin O’Brien (8), but there was no further joy for the Channel Islanders as Balbirnie (31*) and Gary Wilson (11*) saw the Irish safely home with 3.2 overs to spare.

They were eventually bowled out in the final over as the competition’s leading wicket taker John Mooney completed his hat-trick with Ben Stevens holing out to deep mid-wicket.

Earlier, opener Ed Farley made 21, while Jonty Jenner made a brisk 26 off just 21 deliveries to lay the platform for the Jersey innings.

The wheels however came off the Jersey innings in spectacular fashion in the last five overs as they lost their last eight wickets in the crucial phase while adding just 20 runs.

Outside of Mooney, spinner Paul Stirling also took three wickets for the concession of 16 runs off his four overs, while Alex Cusack returned figures of three for 26 from his spell.

Mooney is only the fourth Irish bowler to achieve the feat – following Thomas Hanna way back in 1877, and in more recent times Peter Connell and Trent Johnston.

Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong and Namibia all went into the final day of Group A action with a chance of finishing top and booking a spot in next year’s tournament in India, while Jersey and the U.S. knew they needed wins to have a chance of keeping their hopes alive and going through to the knock out stages.

Namibia face Hong Kong later on Sunday, while the US take on Papua New Guinea with the top spot still up for grabs and instant World T20 qualification still to be decided.

Ireland top Group A ahead of the afternoon matches despite two defeats.