Ireland powered into the play-off stages of the ICC World Twenty20 qualifiers courtesy of a comprehensive 82-run victory over Uganda in Dubai.
The victory guarantees the Irish a place in the top three of Group B - but top spot, and a place in the first qualifying final, could still be theirs if unbeaten Namibia slip up against Italy on Tuesday.
Ireland made 179-5 against the Ugandans, Will Porterfield top-scoring with 53 off 43 balls and Gary Wilson (30) and Kevin O'Brien (39 not out) chipping in down the order.
That was always going to be too many for their opponents, who were blown away for 97.
Trent Johnston got the ball rolling with two wickets for eight runs with the new ball, before George Dockrell (3-26) and Kevin O'Brien (2-7) also impressed.
Ireland face Oman in their final group fixture but they will be without all-rounder John Mooney (hamstring) for the remainder of the tournament.
As a result Ireland have called up Andrew Poynter as a replacement.
Mooney fell awkwardly in pursuit of a catch on the boundary during Ireland’s 17 runs victory over Scotland at the Dubai International Stadium yesterday and an MRI scan revealed the worst for the 30 year old Dubliner.
Poynter got the nod ahead of the other named reserves, Tim Murtagh, the uncapped Middlesex pace bowler who has recently qualified for Ireland, slow bowler Albert van der Merwe and Instonians batsman James Shannon.
Ironically Niall O’Brien, who was left out of this squad because he chose to play in the Bangladesh Premier League last month rather than play for Ireland in Kenya is due to arrive in Dubai on Wednesday to play for MCC and Stuart Poynter is also here with the MCC Young Cricketers.
Sunday's victory over the Scots, masterminded by Ed Joyce’s highest T20 score in 66 matches for county or country, eases any worries Ireland might have had of securing a top three place in Group B, which qualifies them for the play-off matches for a place in the finals in Sri Lanka in September.
Alex Cusack was also ruled out of Ireland’s game today after he left the field at the end of his second over with a groin strain.
