Roy Torrens, the former Ireland player and team manager, has died aged 72. Torrens played 30 times for his country between 1966 and 1984, and was team manager during Ireland’s famous run to the Super Eights stage of the 2007 World Cup.A brisk medium-pace bowler who took 77 wickets in Ireland green at an average of 25.66, Torrens’ best performance came against Scotland in 1974, when he claimed figures of 7 for 40. He was also good enough with the bat to thrash 177 in an hour in a club game.After retiring, he served as a selector and president of the Irish Cricket Union (the forerunner to Cricket Ireland), before becoming Ireland men’s manager in 2004.”I am greatly saddened to learn of the loss of our great friend, Roy Torrens,” Ross McCollum, chair of Cricket Ireland, said. “Roy was a truly remarkable character, an immense presence in Irish cricket, and a truly great friend – not just personally, but to many people within and outside the cricket family.
“He was a player, a team manager, a president and – most importantly – an inspiration to all he met.”It goes without saying, but we will miss him greatly and our hearts go out to Joan, the family and his friends at this time.”During Torrens’ time as manager, a position he held until 2012, Ireland developed the most-successful side in their history. As well as overcoming Pakistan and Bangladesh at the 2007 World Cup, they qualified for World T20s in 2009, 2010 and 2012, while famously beating England at the 2011 World Cup.In 2009, Torren was awarded an OBE for his services to cricket.
