CALL FOR MORE INTERNATIONAL HONOURS
Roy can speak from experience, having entered the senior game some 25 years ago and still going strong. His first century was scored against St Johnston in 1979, and ironically he repeated the experience against the same opponents earlier this season.There have been several others in between, and a healthy haul of wickets, the best of which was eight victims against Limavady. No doubt Roy could have achieved more, especially in recent years, but so often his fine performances were sandwiched between those of James and “Junior”. It’s a reality he accepts with typical modesty… “I’m always delighted when the team does well, and if it’s the boys who star, then I suppose I’m like any other older brother, I get a wee bit more satisfaction! They have achieved a lot over the years and I’m very proud of them”. If Roy has one regret, then it’s in respect of J
ames… “Over the years James has performed very consistently at both club and interprovincial level, so I feel he deserved more than the one Irish cap he won in 1986 against Scotland.” It is a justifiable comment, coming from a player who has captained the North West interprovincial team six times in 20 appearances. But Roy puts forward a suggestion, which could benefit the younger players coming through… “In the present Irish set up, the North West area needs two selectors to give us a fair balance with both Leinster and the NCU. We have had poor recognition over the years, although I appreciate there were many fine players around Irish cricket in the Seventies. In recent times, it has been good to see the selectors recognising the talents of Stephen Smyth, Decker Curry and the Cooke brothers of Ardmore. So I hope it will continue with young Peter Gillispie of Strabane getting a chance.”
