In 1991 he came to Clontarf with Worcestershire to play Ireland and, as you can see, security was not an issue and two youngsters were able to get inside the gate to see their heroes up close.

The two little lads grew up and got pretty good at cricket themselves, and will probably get to meet Botham again this week. On the left is Niall O'Brien and to his right is his brother Kevin, heroes of Ireland's win over Pakistan.

ONE Irishman earning his wages more than anyone here is James Fitzgerald, communications officer with the International Cricket Council and at the eye of the storm here all week.

"Its been a week of high stress and very little sleep, " the former YMCA all-rounder told Inside Edge. "My phone just doesn't stop ringing, at all hours of day and night.

Calls from Pakistan, India, Australia, all over the world.

"What I try to remember is that no matter how difficult it is for me, it is far, far worse for Bob Woolmer's family and friends and all those people he worked with all over the world."

He had enjoyed the success of the Irish team, who he reported on for several years for the Irish Independent and the Irish Times. "I hear Ireland has suddenly gone cricket crazy. I've been trying to tell people for years about how exciting cricket can be. I'm glad to hear they're discovering it now, even if it wasn't from me!"

Fitzgerald is co-author of 'Irish Cricket's 100 Greats', launched just before the competition. "I've delighted to hear its flying off the shelves at home, " he reported.

A dampener on his week came courtesy of John Mooney, who chucked him into the pool at the Sunset Grande in Ocho Rios on St Patrick's Night.

THE locals have adopted Ireland here, and one reason why is the genuine affection many have for Denis O'Brien's Digicell company. Digicell have made huge inroads into the Caribbean and now employ 3,000 in Jamaica. In a recent survey of public knowledge of corporations in Jamaica, an incredible 87 per cent named the Irish firm first. Although Cable & Wireless are one of the event sponsors here, Windies sponsors Digicell have been clever in ensuring their name is prominent without being guilty of 'ambush marketing'.

SOME Irish supporters have been having fun composing chants. An ex-Ireland player has been getting some mild stick, with the line 'Ed Joyce, wrong choice' rhyming rather well. Jamaican reggae has been fruitful territory for the songsmiths, with 'Por-ter-field, batsman of Jah people' and 'No no-balls, no wides' sounding well. However it was your correspondent who won first prize in John Crow's Bar in Ocho Rios for a stirring version of 'Uptown Boyd Rankin'.