For Brian O’Rourke is was a special occasion as he had just married his lovely wife Linda and Barbados was the first week of their two-week honeymoon that will continue in Antigua. Brian’s cricket pedigree in Leinster is well known so the coming together with former Leinster and North-West professional Hendy Wallace ensured there was plenty to reminisce about.
The initial venue was Kensington Oval for the first semi-final of the Barbados Club Twenty20 Tournament, but a lengthy shower forced a rethink and a short trip down Spring Garden Highway to the much-loved Bush Bar. Once entrenched (after being drenched), the craic was merry about everything and anything cricket. Brian has plenty of stories about his playing days up north and of course, he’s heavily involved in the Cricket Ireland set-up as Development Officer. Hendy has recently been appointed Chairman of the Barbados selectors, but will continue his commentary work in the local media when he can get away from his Concierge duties at the Sandpiper Inn Hotel. The big Barbadian is much loved by the wealthy British tourists who flock to the island at this time of the year and love this well-known West Coast retreat.
Once the key issues in West Indies and Ireland cricket were done and dusted it was down to favourite memories and inevitably Hendy’s days in the North-West provided a host of colourful recollections. It is a sobering thought that it is almost 30 years since Hendy rolled in to Eglinton to begin a fairytale ride in Irish cricket folklore. His recollection of events is amazing and worthy of publishing given his experiences through the amateur versus professional saga and of course, the Troubles. 
Stranded in the Bogside in Derry at 3am with no possibility of a lift home, his colourful account of what happened thereafter is chilling, hilarious and quite amazing given the notoriety of the area at the time! No doubt more will be revealed to a broader audience at a future date if he goes ahead and publishes his Irish cricket memoirs. It is certainly in the pipeline.
As for Brian, the ladies and the author, it was a great night with friends, a few Bank’s Beers, a little Pinot Grigio, some Karaoke and lots of fun with the locals.
Congratulations Brian and Linda!
Many happy years of marital and cricket bliss.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
