Padraig Harrington did not know we played cricket in Ireland but just like winning major championships, he learned the hard way.

Before winning two Open Championship's he had to lose one. Standing on 18 tee in Muirfield 2002, he believed he had to make a birdie to win or be in a play off, choosing a driver instead of the 'percentage play' he duly knocked his tee shot into a greenside bunker, made bogey and missed the play-off by one. Chalk it down, learn and move on.

Yesterday in Toronto, Ireland's cricket team should be thinking the same, what Padraig ultimately learned was that you can only control your own score and the risk must be balanced against the reward. Batting first Ireland progressed but lost regular wickets, which kept them in check at times when acceleration was required. Batsmen got in, got comfortable then got out. White, Mooney, Johnston, McCann and Jones were caught as batsmen struggled for timing in gloomy damp conditions, all will feel that had they opted for the percentage shot, Ireland could have added another 20 runs which should have been enough to get them past an improved Canada side.

However someday you must tip your cap to the opposition and say you deserved to win, the home side, in the shape of Gunasekera and Bagai and the 140 runs they shared duly won the game for Canada in the end via Messers Duckworth and Lewis by 4 runs and duly deserved this win. In Gunasekera and Bagai, Cricket Canada has found a couple of role models for the large number of kids present yesterday to look up too and emulate.

For Ireland John Mooney was superb with his quick running, hustle and bustle, he led the way with a solid 47. Paul Stirling contributed 35 after struggiling early on with the pitch. Mooney also took a catch, right out of the top drawer, to get rid of Bagai, he threw himself to his left, the ball below his knee diving to his left and catching two handed.

Toronto Cricket and Skating have done a wonderful job as hosts and in particularly the Termainates associate team who were decked out in their splendid blazers for yesterday's contest and hosted all supporters from Ireland splendidly. Play today starts at 10.30 am, local time, weather permitting and Ireland will seek to level the series before taking on Zimbabwe in a couple of weeks.

       Rob Quin