Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom insists the shock win over England is just the beginning as the team target the World Cup knockout phase.
Ireland, led by Kevin O'Brien's devastating innings of 113 - the fastest century in the history of the World Cup - defeated England by three wickets in Bangalore on Wednesday.
The victory saw Ireland revive their quarter-final hopes after they let slip the chance to beat co-hosts Bangladesh, another Test nation, in their tournament opener in the subcontinent.
Four years ago Ireland dramatically defeated Pakistan in Jamaica to reach the second phase of the World Cup but Deutrom said the reaction to Wednesday's remarkable victory had been dramatically different.
"It was a huge result and a huger night," Deutrom said on Thursday. "But it was noticeable the players were not triumphant. The big difference between 2007 and 2011 was that four years ago beating Pakistan felt like winning the World Cup."
Deutrom said there was genuine belief coursing through the squad that the England win could be a springboard to reaching the quarter-finals.
"That is the big shift from the last World Cup," added Deutrom.
"We shouldn't underplay the significance of beating England on the global stage in the World Cup but in terms of the tournament itself cricket followers will have seen a team last night that is a genuine contender for the quarter-finals - even the semis."
Ireland had seven English county players in their side on Wednesday and the rest of the team were professionals with contracts with Cricket Ireland. Deutrom said the Irish performance showed the value of such contracts.
Ireland return to the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore to face co-hosts India on Sunday, eyeing yet another Test scalp.
"Chasing 300 on that track in that stadium in a World Cup, we have shown we can do it," Deutrom said. "So why not on Sunday against India?. That would be some story."
