John Kenny's World Cup Diary
Entry Two - 13 March 2007
Dawn breaks over Morgan's Harbour Hotel. I should know, I've been waiting for the sun to come up for three hours. I woke far too early and couldn't get back to sleep and lay there waiting for the sun to rise before breakfast.
I arrived in Port Royal just outside Kingston on Monday night after a long 10-and-a-half-hour flight from Gatwick. I met with some of my colleagues from the BBC who were kind enough to give me a lift to the stadium this morning. That's where the trouble started.
Security is ridiculous. At every turn there is a gate with overly officious police and volunteers. Everything is searched. At one stage I left the media centre because there was a problem with my lines to Ireland and I was asked to follow a technician. I arrived back not two minutes later to be searched again.
In 30 degrees of heat and with four bags to carry it's no fun. One guy was screaming at the police sergeant that he had a pass to drive into the ground. His car could come in but he couldn't and he was letting the local constabulary have it.
There was also a problem with my accreditation. RTÉ are not rights-holders but are allowed to broadcast reports. This means I need access to the broadcast positions. My pass wouldn't allow me access so I spent the first two hours at Sabina Park chasing the accreditation people trying to change my pass.
The people in the media centre, to their credit, have been more than helpful but it's a pain in the neck when you don't have the right accreditation. Hopefully this will be sorted out by the time Ireland play Zimbabwe on Thursday.
Right now we are waiting for the World Cup to start and I'm heading upstairs to see the opening game between the West Indies and Pakistan. There is plenty of home support but there are not many locals backing their team. It's a crucial game for both sides and a loss means they will play catch up for the rest of the group.
Both the West Indies and Pakistan should emerge from Group D with Ireland and Zimbabwe hoping to spring a surprise, but a winning start for the group favourites is important.
There is nothing untoward to report from the Irish camp. They are training today (Tuesday) and on Wednesday at the Keningston Cricket Ground and will have a press day on Wednesday before their game against Zimbabwe on Thursday here at Sabina Park.
The World Cup is upon us; let's hope for a little less security and a lot more cricket.
