Paul Stirling will not look back on his first major tournament in charge with many fond memories but the Ireland captain will know that a winless campaign and bottom place in Group A of the T20 World Cup is not as bad as it sounds.

After a near-perfect preparation, that included wins over Pakistan, the Netherlands and Scotland, the Boys in Green were blown away by a rampant Indian attack on a sub-standard pitch in New York and, still shellshocked, lost narrowly to Canada two days later.

A rained-off third match against the USA ended any hopes of reaching the Super Eight and another crucial lost toss in the final game allowed Pakistan’s pacemen to have as much fun as India’s, reducing Ireland to 32-6.

Encouragingly, though, Stirling and coach Heinrich Malan have moulded a settled team - only 12 of the 15-strong squad were used - who each know their roles, and several players are visibly growing in stature in the shortest form of the international game.

Mark Adair led the attack as expected but scored runs that wouldn’t have been a year ago, Gareth Delany has made the No 7 spot his, as long as he wants it, and Barry McCarthy showed what a threat he can be.

So, with Harry Tector and Josh Little certain to come good again too, and a purpose and direction back, the immediate future looks bright.

But with the skipper himself, Andy Balbirnie and George Dockrell all nudging the mid-30s this T20 World Cup could have been their best chance of making an impression on the bigger boys.

On the flight home they will have wondered what might have been - if those two coins had landed differently.T20 WORLD CUP MARKS

PAUL STIRLING - 6/10

The skipper will be disappointed with his scores of 2, 9 and 1 albeit in ultra-tricky conditions, but led the team well in the field and can’t be blamed for losing two vital tosses.

ANDY BALBIRNIE - 5/10

The opener’s scores of 5, 17 and 0 are hard to evaluate with the ball nipping about so much in the powerplay. He’ll be unhappy not to have kicked on against Canada, though.

LORCAN TUCKER - 5/10

The wicketkeeper/batsman has confirmed his status as one of the team’s most valuable members in the past year or so but his tally of 22 runs was well short of expectations. 

HARRY TECTOR - 4/10

Ireland’s best batsman had a fortnight to forget, making 4, 7 and 0. Struck viciously on the thumb against India he was given two lives by Pakistan and still failed to score. Ouch!

CURTIS CAMPHER - 6/10

Ever busy, the all-rounder failed to produce with the bat (12, 4 and 7) but was economical with the ball, conceding 39 from seven overs. His skiddy seamers were probably under used.

GEORGE DOCKRELL - 6/10

Showed glimpses of his power hitting at No 6 with 30 not out off 23 balls against Canada but it couldn’t deliver a win, and his left-arm slow bowling wasn’t employed by Stirling.

GARETH DELANY - 8/10

The Leinster man had a good tournament. He top scored in two innings - smacking a rapid 26 off India, and leading the recovery against Pakistan with 31, including three sixes. 

MARK ADAIR - 8/10

As ever, ‘Sparky’ was the main man with the ball at the start and end of innings, and is now realising his potential with the bat too, as shown by his tournament best 34 against Canada. 

BARRY McCARTHY - 7/10

Talisman Baz recovered from a shaky start to claim two Canadian wickets for four runs in the death overs, and then stunned Pakistan with a double-wicket maiden and 3-15.

JOSH LITTLE - 4/10

The superstar paceman looked short of a gallop after only one appearance during his six-week spell in the IPL. Didn’t take a wicket and went for 96. Good runs against Pakistan.

BEN WHITE - 6/10

The gangly leg-spinner took 1-6 in his only over against India before making way for an extra seamer in the next game. Came back with 1-11 from two against Pakistan. Decent figures.

CRAIG YOUNG - 6/10

Mr Reliable sent down a tidy four overs in his one match, taking 2-32 to peg back Canada. Would have been a handful for the Indian batsmen on the first pitch in New York