While not necessarily the most successful cricketing nation, Ireland do have a pedigree of performing well when it comes to tournaments.
The famous World Cup victories over Pakistan and England in 2007 and 2011 respectively captured headlines around the world, with a win over the West Indies in 2015 another example of the scalps they are capable of taking.
While this isn't quite to that level, Ireland have opened their 2021 T20 World Cup campaign with a victory over The Netherlands this afternoon.
It was a fairly comfortable afternoon for the Irish, who would emerge as seven wicket winners with 29 balls still to play with.
It was the perfect start for Graham Ford's side in Abu Dhabi, with one man stealing the headlines.
Bowler Curtis Campher was in exhilarating form, joining very illustrious company after pulling off a remarkable feat during the match.
Campher would take four wickets in four consecutive balls, becoming only the third bowler (after Rashid khan and Lasith Malinga) in the history of the 20-over format to do so. He is also the first player to manage the 'double hat-trick' in the T20 World Cup.
Ireland would go on to win the match in a comfortable fashion on the back of Campher's performance.
22-year old Campher was born in South Africa, qualifying to play for Ireland through his grandmother, playing his club cricket for Leinster Lightning and Munster Reds over the last couple of years.
He certainly captured the imagination with his performance today.
Curtis Campher in his second over against the Netherlands in the 2021 T20 World Cup:
Wd, 0, W, W, W, W, 1
He became the third bowler in T20 history to grab 4 wickets on 4 balls. 👏👏#T20WorldCup #CurtisCamper pic.twitter.com/rwY83F0oQa— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) October 18, 2021
Curtis Campher has taken more wickets in this over than his entire T20i career! 4 wickets in 4 balls. Incredible scenes in Abu Dhabi! #T20WorldCup
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) October 18, 2021
Campher four wickets in four balls! Carnage! Scenes! Scenes of carnage! #T20WorldCup #IRE #NED #IREvNED
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) October 18, 2021
A double hat-trick.
This #T20WorldCup is delivering so far. Absolute scenes.— Alex Fair (@AJFair85) October 18, 2021
This result sets Ireland up perfectly for the rest of the tournament, with games against Sri Lanka and Namibia to come over the remainder of the week.
One more win from those games would ensure a top two finish in the group, enough to see them advance to the 'Super 12' stage where they would face some of the top teams in the sport.
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