THE recall of Malahide pace ace Shane Getkate to the attack paid rich dividends as Ireland defeated Zimbabwe to reach the Plate Competition semifinals at the Under-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.

And it got even better for the boys in green when torrential rain meant no play was possible in that semi against Canada, meaning Ireland progressed straight through to last Thursday's final without a ball being bowled, on account of their superior run rate.

However, they finally met their match in the shape of a very strong Bangladesh side who romped to a 195-run victory in the final.

Balrothery native Eddie Richardson was hit for three successive sixes and failed to trouble the scorers with the bat, while Getkate made 4 in an obdurate 16-over stand of 32 with Ben Ackland before being cleanbowled.

Consolation for Ireland is that they finished 10th in the tournament, their best result in the Under19 World Cup's history – and they can also look back with some satisfaction at their seven-wicket mauling of Zimbabwe in the Plate quarter-final.

In that rain affected game, Ireland were left to chase a Duckworth-Lewis adjusted target of 110 for victory in 27 overs – and they got there with 6.4 overs to spare as Paul Stirling scored 65 from just 51 deliveries after being dropped at first slip before he had got off the mark.

Earlier, it was the opening attack of Getkate and Craig Young who made inroads into the Zimbabwe top order.

Three wickets fell in the opening 13 balls, and at 8 for 3, it was always going to be difficult for the Africans.

Young bowled with genuine pace and hostility, troubling all the batsmen, and a final analysis of 4-14 didn't flatter him. It's not hard to see when he bowls like this, just why Sussex are keen to take another look at him.

Getkate, who hadn't featured in some of the previous games in the tournament, drew the short straw of having to bowl into a stiff breeze, but acquitted himself well to finish with 2-40 as Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for 102.