Johnston's Ireland were skittled for 77 by Sri Lanka

"I hope we won't be judged on this because we've done well and we've got good cricketers," Johnston said.

"One thing we wanted to do here was put Irish cricket on the map - not just in the world but in Ireland itself.

"I think we've done that, the public response back home has been fantastic. We can reflect on a great seven weeks."

Johnston, whose side were beaten by eight wickets in Grenada after being skittled for just 77, added: "There have been a lot of high points - the way we fought back against Zimbabwe to get us going, and then obviously Pakistan was huge on St. Patrick's Day.

I think now cricket has paid me my dues Ireland coach Adrian Birrell

"We've been away from home since 7 January. A few of the guys are looking forward to getting home to a bit of reality."

Johnston also thanked Adrian Birrell, who now leaves his post as coach to be replaced by former West Indies star Phil Simmons.

He added: "I'd like to thank, from all the boys, Adrian Birrell. It was not the send-off we'd have liked to give him but he's been great and we'd like to thank him very much."

The team's success has reportedly prompted a fivefold increase in interest in the sport in Ireland, a country more associated with Gaelic football, rugby union and soccer.

And Birrell reckons Irish cricket can only get bigger following the performances of his side in the Caribbean.

"We have young players in the wings awaiting their chances, and certainly on the spinning front, batting front and fielding front we've got all those bases covered," he said.

"It's mainly a sense of great pride that I've achieved what I've achieved.