Paul Stirling smashed a glittering half-century as Ireland eliminated twice champions West Indies from the T20 World Cup and advanced to the Super 12 phase with a nine-wicket thrashing in Hobart on Friday.
The burly redhead's unbeaten 66 from 48 balls helped Ireland mow down a modest total of 146/5 with more than two overs to spare on a cloudy afternoon at Bellerive Oval.
Brandon King scored an unbeaten 62 for the West Indies but had little support as the Caribbeans made their earliest exit from the global showpiece since the inaugural 2007 tournament in South Africa.
The West Indies won the tournament in 2012 and 2016 but came to Australia with a new-look team after the likes of Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard retired, and Andre Russell was overlooked.
After the West Indies won the toss and batted at a breezy Bellerive Oval in Hobart, the Irish bowlers sent down nine dot balls among their first 15. In frustration, Kyle Mayers embarked on delivery from Barry McCarthy and was caught by Harry Tector at mid-off for one.
Brandon King, who skipped the West Indies' last game with illness, was dropped two balls later and made the most of the opportunity, crunching four boundaries to date them to 67-2 at halfway. In reply, Ireland got off to a cracking start with Stirling and Balbirnie on a mission, blazing 54 of the first five overs, with eight boundaries, four of them sixes. Ireland hopped to the target for the loss of one wicket with 15 balls to spare.