IRELAND WOMEN spurned a great opportunity to end their ICC World Twenty20 on a high note as they slumped to a 17 run loss to Bangaldesh in the 9th-10th placing match in Sylhet.

14 year-old Lucy O'Reilly looked to have set Ireland on course for the win as she bowled quite superbly to claim 3 for 15 to restrict the hosts to 106 for 7 in front of a huge and very vocal home crowd under the floodlights.

She was given excellent support by skipper Isobel Joyce (2-17) and Louise McCarthy (2-19) as Ireland bowled tightly in an impressive performance.

Chasing what looked like a modest target, Ireland got off to a disastrous start when the talismanic Clare Shillington was run out second ball without scoring.

Isobel Joyce (4) was trapped lbw shortly afterwards, and when Mary Waldron and Elena Tice both fell for 9, Ireland were reeling at 31 for 4.

Cecelia Joyce (19) and Melissa Scott-Hayward (16) rallied briefly sharing a 5th wicket partnership of 28, but in what has been a familiar story in the tournament, the required run rate climbed and wickets tumbled as the middle and lower order attempted to accelerate.

59 for 4 became 71 for 9 as five wickets fell for the addition of just 12 runs, and it took an unbeaten 14 from Laura Delany to get Ireland up to 89 all out.

A bitterly disappointing end to a competition which could have proved ground-breaking for Trent Johnston's young charges. It's back to reality for the Ireland squad as look to rebuild as they begin their ECB County Championships campaign next month.away to Lancashire.

ICC World Twenty20 Women's Championship

At Sylhet International Stadium

BANGLADESH WOMEN 106-7 (20 overs, Sharmin Akhter 35, Lucy O'Reilly 3-15, Isobel Joyce 2-17, Louise McCarthy 2-19) beat IRELAND WOMEN 89 all out (19.2 overs, Cecelia Joyce 19, Melissa Scott-Hayward 16, Laura Delany 14*, Panna Ghosh 3-25, Salma Khatun 2-8) by 17 runs.