The celebratory dressing room ritual is a legacy of the former national coach, Adrian Birrell, who had secured the place in the final before handing over the reins of office to Phil Simmons.

It was fitting then that Birrell should have been contacted by mobile phone from the Leicester dressing room to listen to his former charges' celebrations.

But, make no mistake about it, this was Simmons' occasion: a clinical, two day, innings victory which gave the former West Indian all rounder his first Irish success after no fewer than five straight defeats at the hands of English counties in the Friends Provident Trophy.

He will hope it's the first of many and it will certainly put his players in more confident mood as they face another weekend of daunting one-day challenges - Surrey at The Oval today followed by Sussex at Hove on tomorrow's Bank Holiday.

The talent drain to the English counties will, of course, continue and will do little to enhance Ireland's chances of "breaking their duck" in the FPT.

The biggest loss remains Eoin Morgan who, having played for Middlesex and scored a century into the bargain, cannot wear his Irish sweater over the last four FPT games.

Morgan's carefully thought through mixture of sensible defence and effective offence did much to take Ireland to 352 and ensure an innings victory.

The quality of Morgan's 84 simply added to the mystery and disappointment of his failure in the long World Cup campaign.

Jeremy Bray's towering 146 left no-one is any doubt who would be the man of the match. His was a one-day style innings in what was a four day match cut in half and this bold approach to the longer-form game has reaped him rich rewards.

He is overdue real satisfaction in the one day game since his return from the World Cup and one senses this could be his weekend.

David Langford-Smith has an injury to his side and will miss both games. The former South African Test fast man Nante Hayward will step in to share the new ball with skipper Trent Johnston and Morgan's place will be taken by the second overseas professional, New Zealander Jessie Ryder.

Their appointments continue to be the subject of much boundary chat, little of it of a complimentary nature.

Supporters are willing them to succeed and succeed they must if Ireland are not to go through their nine FPT games in total ignominy.

Yesterday here in London the Irish team were back training at The Oval where they will meet a formidable Surrey today - a Surrey that includes more than a sprinkling of internationals who earlier in the season set a world one day record of 496 in 50 overs.

And that was against a Gloucester bowling attack that subsequently reduced Ireland to the tatters of 63.

In the side will be Mark Ramprakash who has the somewhat unenviable distinction of losing to Ireland while playing for both Surrey and Middlesex.

Few expect what Ramprakash would view as a highly embarrassing hat trick.

If Ireland are not to come away empty handed from their busy weekend, Hove tomorrow is the more likely venue for success against a Sussex side that hasn't been setting the FPT alight this season.

They have managed only three points from four games and are to be found in the lower reaches of the table. But then a total of three points just happens to be three points more than Ireland!