Two of Ireland's greatest cricketers, Dermot Monteith and Roy Torrens, were elected presidents of the Irish Cricket Union (ICU), for this year and next year, at its annual general meeting in Dundalk yesterday.
Monteith, who succeeds Enda McDermott as president for this season, won 76 international caps between 1965 and 1984 and captained his country 37 times. He took more international wickets than any other Irish bowler, with career figures of 326 wickets at an average of 17.37. His best performance was 8 for 44 against the MCC at Lords in 1973.
A serious accident prematurely ended his playing career in 1985. Since his recovery, he has worked ceaselessly for the ICU, and latterly was chairman of the national selectors.
Roy Torrens, a fast bowler of considerable determination and verve, won 30 caps for Ireland between 1964 and 1984, and, playing days over, he served as a national selector. He will succeed Monteith next year, to be the ICU's millennium president, as it were.
McDermott, the outgoing president, said that one of the few disappointments during his term of office were the poor attendances during the tour of the Australia A team last summer. "That tour was a first for Irish cricket, when we had Steve Waugh, now the new Australia Test captain, playing for us, and it was a pity that some very good matches failed to draw the crowds," he said.
"I hope that more people will watch the South Africa A side on their visit this summer. The World Cup match between West Indies and Bangladesh at Castle Avenue on May 21st will be another Irish cricket first, will boost public interest and will also help Ireland's continuing drive to attain one-day international status," he added.
At the meeting, the union confirmed its commitment to appoint a chief executive, having already taken on board two development officers, one in the north, the other operating in the south.
Bob Kerr was voted chairman of the ICU yesterday, with John Cauldwell the new vice-chairman. John Wright and Murray Power were returned as honorary secretary and honorary treasurer, respectively.
