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The latest Presidential Diary from the Caribbean celebrates success in the first Twenty20 international and all that came with it on and off the pitch for Ireland.
KINGSTON, JAMAICA: FEBRUARY 20:

I swear I detected a tear in the eyes of Phil Simmons and it was hardly surprising. I was sitting beside him on the team balcony at Sabina Park; Kevin O’Brien raced for a second run and Ireland had defeated the West Indies by six wickets. We simply shook hands: words were superfluous to a man who had just taken his adopted country to a magnificent victory over the side he had distinguished 169 times. There was certainly a tear in mine. And almost another one when I was privileged to present the Man of the Match award to Ed Joyce.

Not for the first time “Ireland’s Call” reverberated around the dressing room of this famous Kingston stadium. Skipper William Porterfield and the brothers O’Brien had been there before as the sole survivors of those who took the field for that never-to-be-forgotten World Cup triumph over Pakistan in 2007. Phil Simmons was also there. Back then he was shadowing the about to retire Adrian Birrell; now he joined the victory song in a somewhat different role.

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Much has been written about the importance of this latest in a long run of international successes and none of it is an exaggeration. Given the recent deliberations of the International Cricket Council no-one knows more than the players how significant these games are. It was a point well made by Cricket Ireland chairman, Ross McCollum, at a pleasant post-match celebration he hosted back in the Pegasus Hotel. Ross is out here with Performance Director Richard Holdsworth and the chairman of selectors Alan Lewis and a happy little trio they make. What a start if you happen to be talking to the West Indies Board about possible future games.

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Rarely have I seen greater magnanimity in defeat than from the delightful folk in Jamaica, whether the ordinary spectator or the top administrator. The latter is exemplified by the young and energetic President of the West Indies Cricket Board, Wycliffe “Dave” Cameron, for whom defeat would have been difficult in the extreme. Yet his demeanour after the game was that of the perfect gentlemen.

I often think that the measure of people is to be gauged in their reaction to defeat. There had been a healthy crowd of over 3,000 at the game and our departure from the ground was somewhat delayed as spectators stopped to offer handshakes of congratulations. Little wonder the squad sees Sabina as a second home.

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Finally it’s back to the Pegasus, the 320 bedroom hotel which is home to both teams. With a rest day today, the team was permitted a relaxing hour or two to enjoy the moment. Well deserved and well respected. There is still much work to be done.

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Birthday presents don’t come any better that Stephen Haughey’s 60th from his wife Elaine – a holiday in Jamaica to watch Ireland’s three games. And, of course, the Ireland players have put the icing on the cake. The present also included executive membership of Cricket Ireland and the Belfast-born enthusiast and his generous wife have been part of the squad’s social activity. Not surprisingly, Stephen describes the trip as “fantastic” with the win making him one of the happiest guests in the hotel. Stephen is the former chairman of the all-Ireland/international law firm of A&L Goodbody and in his semi-retirement in West Cork acts as a consultant to the company. Plans are now being made for another overseas cricket date – the ICC World Cup Down Under next year.

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Everywhere we go within the hospitality industry there is a strong Irish influence and the Pegasus Hotel is no exception. Far from it – so meet Cork-born Peter Hilary, who cut his teeth in the big Dublin hotels of the Gresham and Shelbourne where he became banqueting manager; took his skills to the Bahamas, Tunisia and Anguilla and is now general manager of the Pegasus. Loves his cricket and tells me that once upon a time he captained the St Conleth’s College side at Ballsbridge. He saw the Ireland win from the Jamaican Cricket Board’s box where he hopes for repeat performances on Friday and Sunday.

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I write on the eve of the second T20 on Friday and everyone is expecting the West Indies to come hard to restore something of a very battered reputation. The local media have been merciless in their condemnation of the national side. An even bigger crowd could well turn up in the hope that the two T20 match series can be squared. Here’s hoping our departure from the ground will again be delayed……

Robin Walsh
It was my honour to present the Man of the Match Award to Ed Joyce © WICB
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