Feature: Irish set out to stump opposition

By Alvin McCaig BBC Sport

Kyle McCallan has taken 166 wickets in his Ireland career

The commentator takes the mike and introduces us to the teams:

"A line-up packed with multi-millionaire superstars takes on a side that includes a cobbler, plumber, estate agent, engineer......."

The media never seems to tire of trotting out the occupations of the minnows, emphasising the gulf in quality and sadistically alerting us that a hammering is on the menu.

Don't be surprised if the old trick gets an outing when the Cricket World Cup starts in a couple of weeks.

Ireland are likely to get the treatment as they are the cricketing equivalent of San Marino, Liechtenstein and the Faroe Islands.

It's a first World Cup appearance for the Irish, one of six associate nations taking part in the tournament.

Ireland have genuine hopes of winning their first Group B match against Zimbabwe but respectability will be the target for the encounters with Pakistan and the hosts.

The squad from the Emerald Isle boasts a few players employed in the profession, including Middlesex starlet Eoin Morgan and Northants wicket-keeper batsman Niall O'Brien.

But the majority don't have that labour of love luxury and must pay the bills from jobs far removed from leather and willow.

Irish coach Adrian Birrell will bring a panel that includes an electrician, postman, civil servant, teacher, logistics manager, delivery driver, storeman, fitness instructor and two students, one of whom is a farmer in the off season.

Walking out in front of all those Irish fans to play Pakistan on St Patrick's Day will make it all worthwhile Kyle McCallan

The World Cup represents the pinnacle in these players' careers - getting there required many sacrifices, a very understanding boss and for some an equally understanding spouse.

The Irish schedule is a busy one and comes on top of club commitments which often includes fixtues on both Saturday and Sunday.

Waringstown all-rounder Kyle McCallan is Ireland's most capped player with 151 appearances in an 11-year international career.

McCallan was there when the national team was ailing and is now enjoying the incredible renaissance under Birrell which has has culminated in the fantasy trip to Jamaica.

The 31-year-old Belfast schoolteacher may have the fortune of lengthy summer holidays but there is still precious little free time to be had.

McCallan's training regime is unremitting and his life is cricket, cricket and yet more cricket.

A social life and starting a family will only come into play once his Ireland career ends.

"I took a decision years ago that if I wanted to continue at this level you really have to dedicate yourself to it and sacrifice other things," said McCallan.

"My wife would tell you I live, breathe and sleep cricket. She accepts it and is very supportive.

"When I have children I would like to enjoy watching them grow up as opposed to being away so often.

"Walking out in front of all those Irish fans to play Pakistan on St Patrick's Day will make it all worthwhile."

McCallan is a Physical Education teacher at Grosvenor Grammar, a school which probably deserves a letter of thanks from the Irish hierarchy.

Kenny Carroll was captain of the Ireland U23 team

Getting time off for international duty is merely a matter of asking but giving McCallan a seven-month sabbatical to prepare for the World Cup is approaching Employers of the Year territory.

The Sports Council for NI have done their bit by giving McCallan funding equivalent to his wages.

"I'm in a very fortunate, very priviledged position," he admitted.

"I said to the headmaster I'd like to give it one crack and he said the school would support me 100% - I hope to give the school back 10-fold what they've done for me.

"In the seven-month period, which ends after the World Cup, I am a full-time cricketer.

"It allows me to focus on what will be the biggest cricketing event in my life and something that may not come along again."

Kenny Carroll is a new face on the senior scene after skippering the Irish U23 team to their European Championship win in 2006.

The Railway Union batsman and occasional spinner impressed Birrell in his first few appearances and got the nod ahead of former capatin Jason Molins for inclusion in the World Cup squad.

With just five caps under his belt this 23-year-old Dublin postman can look forward to mixing it with the likes of Brian Lara and Inzaman Ul-Haq.

"It's an amazing opportunity for me but only made possible by my employers," said Carroll.

"It works both ways - they allow me time off when I need it while it's good for them to be associated with an international sportsman.

"They are always supportive of what I do so I can get on with training and striving to make an impact at senior level.

"Every spare minute is spent training and improving but if I was working in another job there would be a good chance I be watching the World Cup, not playing in it."

Ireland v West Indies - Sabina Park, 23 March.

"It's one of the biggest sporting shocks ever - the hosts have been been beaten by a team that includes a farmer, delivery driver, postman....."