Irish cricket star Kevin O'Brien says the win over England yesterday is bigger than the victory over the same opposition in Bangalore nine years ago.
The win at the 2011 World Cup in India was the first for Ireland against the English, with the target of 329 that day the very same as that which was achieved in Southampton yesterday.
A knock of 142 off of 128 balls from Paul Stirling helped Ireland to the seven wicket victory - although England took the three-game One Day International Series by two games to one.
O'Brien told OTB AM this morning that it was hard to compare the two.
"They're both fantastic occasions, I think probably the magnitude of yesterday's win and the team we were playing, the world champions... that's been mentioned a lot by the media and in our squad sessions as well.
"They are the best team in the world... so when you beat them in their own back yard, having come off five months rest and lockdown and all that type of stuff.
"They're both huge wins, and it's hard to place which is bigger. But certainly, at the moment, last night's win is absolutely massive and that's our last win, so it's probably bigger than Bangalore.
"I'm just trying to let it sink in, it's absolutely fantastic. On the inside I was absolutely over the Moon. When you're in a run chase and it's coming down to the wire... if you let your emotions get the better of you your emotions aren't as good.
"Whenever I'm chasing runs and batting second I try and stay as calm as I can. Getting down to the last couple of balls I was always confident we were going to get the one run needed off the second-last ball.
We hit 329 in 2011, and we've done it again. #ENGvIRE | #BackingGreen ☘️ 🏏 pic.twitter.com/H2Z9R4JT0E
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) August 4, 2020
"It was a great feeling, it's always special when you chase a big score.
"It shows a lot of potential in the group, and a win like that is going to give everyone confidence to go forward and try and get better and give everyone belief.
"We are a good team, and I think we need to start telling ourselves that. We've beaten England yesterday, we've beaten Afghanistan in India in their own conditions, and we beat West Indies in January, so we've beaten three full-member nations, and all away from home.
"We need to start being a bit more respectful to ourselves. We're a good team, we've got veteran players who can score against the best teams in the world, and we've got bowlers who can take wickets against the best teams in the world.
"Hopefully it's a kick for this squad and the younger players to realise that they're here to take Irish cricket forward, and they're all good enough to beat the best teams in the world on their day."
The win boosts Ireland's hopes of qualifying for the 2023 World Cup, with Andy Balbirnie's men also picking up their first points of the ICC World Cup Super League.
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