IRELAND reached the play- offs of the World Twenty20 qualifiers with an 82-run victory over Uganda in Dubai yesterday but again decided against calling up Tim Murtagh for the final stages of the tournament.
When John Mooney tore a hamstring against Scotland on Sunday it seemed that Middlesex star Murtagh would be a perfect like-for-like replacement for the North County all-rounder.
Instead the Ireland selectors have flown in Clontarf batsman Andrew Poynter leaving Murtagh to wonder just when he will get to use the Irish passport he received only last month.
"We thought about Tim but we already have seven or eight bowlers doing a good job," Ireland coach Phil Simmons said.
"What we wanted was someone who would cover for Alex Cusack's batting if he doesn't recover from the groin niggle he has."
However, unless Italy end Namibia's 100 per cent record in the final round of Group B matches today, Ireland will need to win three straight play-off games - with no room for error - to qualify for the World Twenty20 finals in Sri Lanka in September.
So it seems odd that such an experienced bowler should be overlooked for a young batsman, especially as Ireland had little trouble in racking up 179-5 against Uganda.
William Porterfield and Paul Stirling led the way with a brutal opening stand of 78 while Kevin O'Brien weighed in with 39 not out from 20 balls at the end, including three fours and two sixes.
O'Brien then claimed 2-7 with the ball to earn the man-of- the-match award and Leinster teenager George Dockrell took three wickets as Uganda were dismissed for 97.
Ireland complete their Group B campaign against minnows Oman today and barring upsets will play Canada in the first round of play-off games on Thursday.