A superb unbeaten 71 from Lorcan Tucker salvaged some pride for Ireland in a losing cause as they were well beaten by Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane.
Chasing 180, early sixes from Andy Balbiirnie and Paul Stirling gave hope of another memorable chase, but that notion quickly evaporated as 18 without loss in the second over quickly became 25 for 5 in the fourth.
Pat Cummins bowled Balbrinie, while Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc both struck twice to leave the Irish reply in tatters.
Pembroke keeper/batsman Lorcan Tucker has enhanced his batting reputation during the competition - indeed he is currrently the tournament's leading run-scorer with191 at an average of 47.75.
Undaunted by the Halloween horror display of the top order, he continued to play positively, adding 43 with Gareth Delany, 23 with Mark Adair, and when he and Barry McCarthy plundered 33 from three overs, the Irish incredibly had a sniff with 44 required from 18 balls.
Alas, Tucker didn't face another delivery as McCarthy picked out Steve Smith at deep midwicket and Josh Little was run out attempting to give him the strike - Ireland 137 all out with 11 balls unused.
Tucker's 71 from 48 balls (9 fours, 1 six) wasn't enough to garner the Man-of-the-Match award which went to Australian captain Aaron Finch for his 63.
Ireland's attack stuck manfully to their task for the most part, with Barry McCarthy taking three wickets, and his Pembroke team mate Josh Little accounting for the dangerous Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis in his 2 for 21.
George Dockrell bowled his full quota, keeping it tight, but Mark Adair had one of those days to forget. His third over went for 26 - extended by a series of wide that saw it being an 11-ball one. He was plundered for 59 runs as the hosts posted 179 for 5, which was always going to be a tough task.
Ireland have still one match to play in the group - against New Zealand in Adelaide on Friday. A win would almost certainly mean automatic qualification for the next T20 World Cup.
A tough ask for sure, but who would write off Heinrich Malan's battling troops..