John Kenny's World Cup Diary
Entry Nine - 21 March
It's hard to take a break, while also trying to keep up with the extraordinary goings on here in Jamaica during this World Cup.
Ireland's qualification for the second phase is a story in itself but news of the untimely death of former Irish Cricket President Bob Kerr, and the astonishing allegations surrounding Pakistani coach Bob Woolmer, has the small Irish press pack running around in circles at times.
The amount of work is taxing, and I requested the office to take two days off to at least recharge the batteries before leaving Ocho Rios on the north of the island and head back to the Irish squad in Kingston.
But the news stories keep coming, and the demands for updates back home keep coming naturally enough. It can be hard to explain to some back in the offices just how demanding it's been, but we are getting through what has been an incredible Group D and we hope that RTÉ are bringing you all the stories that count.
Speaking of getting through, Ireland have amazingly qualified for the Super Eight after Pakistan demolished Zimbabwe on Wednesday. Who would have thought that when we first headed out here?
All the supporters just booked the two weeks of the group stages and will head home after the game against the West Indies, which means that Ireland's fantastic support will be missing for upcoming games in the second phase. It's a pity because they have been great.
As we look forward to round two, I have been getting texts and emails asking me to explain the Super Eights system, so here goes:
Ireland play the West Indies in the final Group D game at Sabina Park on Friday and that is technically the start of the next phase for both sides.
Because both have qualified, they will not face each other in round two and whoever wins will take two points into the Super Eight.
Ireland will then face the likes of England (assuming they don't lose to Canada in their final group match), Australia and the four other qualifiers from the opening groups.
The top four from the round robin Super Eight qualify for the semi-finals with the winners playing the final in Barbados.
It's a little confusing and this tournament is too long, but the best team will emerge to rightly claim the title of world champions.
As I write I'm in the lobby of the Sunset Grande Resort waiting for a lift to Kingston with my colleagues Neil and Albert from Ulster Television who have been kind enough to offer me a ride south.
It's off once again across the treacherous Blue Mountains and the crazy drivers who seem to have a death wish.
We got a chance on Wednesday to visit the last resting place of Bob Marley. Having been to the 9 Miles town which was his home, standing by his marbled tomb and getting a sense of how he led a very simple life, many of those crazy drivers could well take a leaf out of the Rastafarian way of life and slow down and relax.
You will get there in the end.
As they say 'Yea Man, respect, Rastafari'.
