Brothers in Arms as Ireland Begin Titanic Under 19 World Odyssey With Huge Live TV Clash with India

Following the withdrawal of Australia from the Under 19 World Cup due to safety concerns, Ireland have been give a late call up to replace the Aussies.

Michael McNamee from Radio Ulster's Sportsound catches up with the Coach of Ireland's Under 19 Cricketers Ryan Eagleson.

Michael McNamee: Let's hear from the Coach of Ireland's Under 19 Cricketers. They're into the World Cup. They got through into the World Cup after the withdrawal of Australia. They'll be playing this week in Bangladesh, in Mirpur against India, a massive game. Then Nepal on the 30t of January, then New Zealand. So very tough games for the Under 19s. And I think it was a bit of a sobering warm up defeat, they were hammered by Afghanistan by 126 runs, so plenty to think about for Ryan Eagleson.

Ryan Eagleson: Yeah it was disappointing. But I have to say I was very very impressed with the Afghanistan side. They've played a lot of cricket together over the last six months, and I think that showed today.

Our Bowlers stuck at the task manfully. I think special credit to Rory Anders, he bowled 10 overs, he had 4 for 40. And young Josh Little, sixteen year old Josh Little, opened the bowling, 3 wickets. But we bowled well the first 25 overs, but they played really well in the middle over period, and pushed the spinners around for ones and twos.

And then their Captain got 130 and he played some fantastic cricket near the end to take them to 270. It was always going to be a difficult chase. And they bowled really well. They had four quality spinners, who put us under pressure through the middle overs.

Michael McNamee: And Ryan for people who don't know, or weren't aware, Ireland weren't originally meant to be at this Tournament, relatively late call ups, after the Australians pulled out. Just explain that.

Ryan Eagleson: Yeah the Australian Team pulled out, and we found out, I think it was the 6th of January. So we had basically, we had 7 days to get the guys, well first of all to tell the guys that we had been offered a place in the Under 19 World Cup. And then we had to check with everybody, you know a lot of the guys doing their Leaving Cert's down South, and A Levels up North and some of the guys working. So we had a pretty mad period. That week was pretty mad. We had to just make sure everybody could bet off work, or get off school, that everybody was available to go. So we hadn't played a match since the end of the season, so three months without cricket. So it's been a pretty hectic week.

We were lucky, we had four days in Dubai last week. We played South Africa Under 19s over here. So trying to get the boys back into match conditions again really.

Michael McNamee: How difficult is it in such difficult circumstances getting guys focussed on the game, and also getting used to the conditions?

Ryan Eagleson: You know as we said to the guys, you're representing your country in an Under 19 World Cup. This was our aim, and we didn't quality for it. So we got another chance when Australia pulled out. So we're making no excuses, it is difficult. We haven't had much time together. And we see a lot of the guys have been on tours, practicing in the opposition teams. 

We're practicing every day, three or four hours out to practice in a cricket mad country. You know we're on the news. The World Cup is big news over here, all over Asia. And it's a real pleasure to be part of it. So we've got to get knuckle down hard and work on the areas that we think we've got to improve on for the upcoming games.

Michael McNamee: I spend 30 years playing cricket with usually one or two brothers in the team. You have a squad there that has got in total three sets of brothers, including the McClintock Twins from Donemana.

Ryan Eagleson: Yes, Gary and William from Donemana, two very hard hitting Batsmen. And we've got the Tuckers and the Tector's as well. But yeah Gary and William from Donemana also play for the North West Warriors. And two very exciting cricketers. So I'm just hoping that the boys can get in and entertain the Locals with the bat.

Michael McNamee: The game against India on Thursday, I mean is the Live TV Coverage still going ahead? This is going to be as big as it gets for any of your guys?

Ryan Eagleson: Yeah Live TV. India were playing Canada on the pitch opposite us today, and I watched a bit of that. And India scored, I think 460 against Canada today. So it's going to be a daunting task for our guys.

They're coached by the legendary batsman Rahul Dravid. He's the Under 19 Coach. So I got a fair bit of time to watch the India Batters today, there's certainly some superstars in that team, who have played IPL Cricket. And it's going to be a massive test for our guys. But one, you know, this is what you dream about, playing against India in a World Cup, live around the World.

Michael McNamee: And I would assume Ryan you'll be pinpointing the Middle Group Game against Nepal as a really winnable one, and maybe a bit of revenge against the Nepalese?

Ryan Eagleson: Yeah they beat us in the Play Off to qualify for the World Cup. They're a very useful side in Asian conditions. They have lots of slow bowlers. And you know it's going to be a difficult game. But that's certainly one we want to try and win. The Indian Game, as is say Live on TV, we'll just ask the guys, just go out and enjoy the experience. And you never know, a couple of early wickets, they might put a bit of pressure on India. But as I say, it's a massive task for the guys. But one that they're all looking forward to.

Michael McNamee: Finally Ryan we wish you the best of luck. And the fact that the Australians pulled out for Security Reasons, is their High Security around Bangladesh, this Tournament's going round to many different towns and cities?

Ryan Eagleson: Yeah in the morning, for example, the game start at nine o'clock over here in the mornings. So we've got to be at the grounds, we try and be at the grounds for half seven, quarter to eight. Today's fixture was an hour and a half in a bus. So the bus picked us up roughly at six, six fifteen this morning. So alarms go off at quarter to six, which some of our boys aren't used to. So it's a long day.

We got back to the hotel tonight at seven o'clock. Security is very tight. But I must say coming back through Dhaka City Centre this evening, it was a sight to behold. There was cricket matches going on everywhere. People waving at the bus. But security has been extra tight. We get police all the way in to clear the traffic. But yeah so far no problems and the guys are delighted to be here.

Michael McNamee: That's the former Ireland Cricket International, Ryan Eagleson, who is the Coach of the Men's Under 19 World Cup Squad. And they begin their bid for glory against India in Mirpur on Thursday, then Nepal on the 30th, and the 1st of February the final Group D Game against New Zealand.