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President Michael D. Higgins congratulates Ireland’s cricketers on their third consecutive ICC Cricket World Cup Qualification upon the side’s arrival home to Dublin today.

President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, has sent his congratulations to the Ireland Men’s Cricket Team after they secured qualification for the 2015 ICC World Cup with a thrilling tie against The Netherlands in Amsterdam on Tuesday.
“May I offer my best wishes and congratulations to the Irish cricket team on their qualification for the 2015 Cricket World Cup.

The team’s journey to the very highest level of cricket is a tribute to the talent, and deep commitment of every single player; but also to the power of the collective spirit.

The team has shown tremendous tenacity, strength of spirit and skill with their recent ICC World Cricket League performances. This is very much to be admired and must be inspirational for those who love cricket.

May I wish the team every success at the ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2015.

In the meantime I look forward to seeing the team play against England in Malahide this September.“

Ireland head coach, Phil Simmons, was delighted to have secured qualification for the 2015 World Cup with two matches to spare, and has called upon his side to carry that momentum into the RSA Challenge One-Day International between Ireland and England at Malahide in September.

Speaking today at a press conference to mark the return of the team, Ireland coach Phil Simmons said: “It’s fantastic to be through to another World Cup. The boys deserve this, they’ve worked hard and were focused on getting nothing but a win. In the end it was a tie, but the point was enough to see us through.”

Ireland’s next match is the RSA Challenge One Day International at Malahide on September 3rd against England.

Tickets are selling fast for the match which is on course to be the largest attending match ever take place in Ireland, with in excess of 10,000 people expected to attend Ireland’s newest international venue. Simmons looked forward to Ireland’s next fixture: “The RSA Challenge promises to be a historic occasion for Irish cricket and I’m really forward to seeing a huge crowd get right behind the Boys in Green as we take on England in what is our first real preparation towards the 2015 World Cup.”

Tickets for the RSA Challenge are available by clicking here and at Ticket Master outlets nationwide.

Dave Kelly from RTE News talks to Kevin O’Brien at Dublin Airport

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