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The Cricket Ireland President Robin Walsh gives us the latest update from the Irish camp in the Caribbean as Ireland got their first win on the tour and begin the important build up to the 3 West Indies Internationals.
PORT OF SPAIN – FEB 12, 2014

Things could only get better and so it was with victory at last, spirits lifted all round and a welcome dressing room rendition of Ireland’s Call. Not to mention a surprise birthday party and pleasant hospitality at the hands of a Irish-born hotelier in the delights of neighbouring Tobago.

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Given defeats at the hands of Guyana and Jamaica – thus non qualification for the final stages of the Nagico Super 50 – victory in the final group match against Windward Island was essential to restore confidence for the three daunting encounters that lie ahead against the West Indies in Jamaica. Windward were the defending champions and Ireland had been pegged to 179, so it was going to be touch and go – but the arrival of fresh support changed all that. The national coach’s wife Jace Simmons and that enthusiastic supporter from YMCA, David Cooke, took their seats straight from the airport in time for the Windward innings – and ensured victory by 64 runs. Some rather excellent fielding and a splendid spell of 3 for 14 from Man of the Match, George Dockrell, also had a hand in it.

George Dockrell and Max Sorensen were in the wickets in the win over the Windward Islands.

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Before Windward’s innings I had been interviewed by Ian Bishop on ESPN’s television coverage and on radio by “Reds” Pereira and had suggested that hitherto Ireland had not done themselves justice and better things were round the corner. Much relief! My main message though was thanks to the West Indies Cricket Board for their willingness to engage Irish cricket more than any other Test country. “Reds” is a legendary figure in the West Indies and one for the history of the game as he asked me to take his listeners through Ireland’s two solitary victories over the West Indies. I had fun with July 1969 at Sion Mills, listing the batting order that could muster only 25 against Messrs O’Riordan and Goodwin. June 2004 in Belfast was also clear in the mind as Brian Lara’s side went down by six wickets. I suggested opposition was less formidable thereafter as they went straight to England to win the Champions Trophy!

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A little birthday surprise the night before the game. I had been invited to the team room to present a birthday cake to Gary Wilson whose 28th it was the day before – totally unaware that a second cake was waiting in the wings for a recipient of somewhat more venerable age. Much, much touched but composed myself to suggest that if the batsmen had an average equivalent to my age they would win the World Cup in 2015. I also requested a second present: victory over the Windward Islands the next day. As always I found the players most obliging.

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So victory under the belt and a well earned 20 minute flight for a day sampling the enchanting holiday playground of Tobago. It was a thoughtful – and much appreciated – gesture by the island’s Tourist Board…..playtime on the beach, lunch and an afternoon spend on a glass bottom boat to take in the splendour of the island’s Coral Garden. And a final treat at the expansive Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort where John Murphy from Blarney holds court as general manager. He’s an old hand within the Caribbean hospitality industry, reminiscing about the Sunset Grand which he once managed at Ocho Rios and which had played host to many of the Irish supporters who’d witnessed the World Cup heroics of Ireland in Jamaica back in 2007.

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As I write Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados are preparing for their semi finals and, alas, noplace for Ireland. But there’s been no rest – practice morning and afternoon is the Phil Simmons’ order of the day and his impeccable local contacts have ensured two friendly games later in the week. The two T20s and one ODI against the West Indies at Sabina Park will be invaluable to the preparation for the T20 finals in Bangladesh. But make no mistake, the West Indies see the games as an important forerunner to their series against England so expect no quarter to be given.

Cricket Ireland
John Murphy, general manager of the Magdalena Beach and Golf Resort in Tobago, with the Ireland squad.
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