Robert Torrens, known to all as ‘Roy’, won just 30 caps for Ireland. That may seem a negligible total in these days of up to 50 games a year. But his service lasted 18 long years as Ireland moved from a more genteel era into the age of competitive cricket.

From his 4-77 debut as a callow schoolboy, to the last of his 77 wickets, Roy never gave less than his best. A whole-hearted player became a whole-hearted administrator and he continued to serve the game in Ireland as a selector, as president and manager of the senior men at the 2007, 2011 and 2015 World Cups.   

His death during Covid pandemic saw an outpouring of grief among the cricket community and tributes from all over the world.