Roy Torrens honoured at Cricket Ireland Awards

It turned out to be an excellent night for the North West on Friday as Cricket Ireland unveiled their prize-winners for 2020, including four from the local Union.

No doubt the most poignant moment of the ceremony was when Roy Torrens was named as winner of the ‘Outstanding Contribution and Service to Irish Cricket’ category- an award dedicated to the memory of the late John Wright. The death of ‘Big Roy’ impacted a lot of people the length and breadth of the country and the flood of tributes in the intervening weeks are a clear testament to the esteem in which he was held.

At Friday’s presentation it was Roy’s best friend and himself an icon of the game here, Robin Walsh, who accepted the award on behalf of the family:

“It’s a privilege for me to accept this award on behalf of Joan and the girls who incidentally are delighted that Roy has been honoured in this way.

Of course there is deep sadness but I know that it is something that will provide fond memories for them. It is also fitting that the award is in memory of John Wright, celebrating two of Irish cricket’s finest men.”

There were also testimonies to the former Ireland Manager from Adi Birrel and Phil Simmons as well as Kyle McCallan, John Mooney and several other former players. The constant theme was of a man for whom nothing was too much trouble. A man who made it his business to be there when he was needed. Most importantly a man whose company people wanted to be in.

That’s the Roy Torrens that we’ll remember.