Sat Jun 14 13:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Tiny Tyrone Village Gears Up for Cricket Showdown as West Indies Seek Revenge
**Magheramason, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland** – The tiny village of Magheramason, population just a few hundred, is abuzz as it prepares to host a series of high-stakes T20 cricket matches between Ireland and the West Indies. The matches, to be held at Bready Cricket Club on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, mark a significant moment for the local community and a chance for the West Indies to avenge a historic defeat suffered on Irish soil over half a century ago.
In 1969, Ireland stunned the cricketing world by bowling out the West Indies for a mere 25 runs at Sion Mills. Now, the West Indies are back, and Bready Cricket Club is determined to prove it can host international cricket with the best.
“The bigger games tend to go to Dublin and Belfast, so for us to get the West Indies is huge,” said Norman Allen, Chairman of Bready Cricket Club. “We are determined to show Cricket Ireland that we can put on cricket as good as anybody.”
Thousands are expected to attend the three matches, with many more tuning in from around the globe. The event is steeped in history, with 87-year-old Ossie Colhoun, Ireland’s wicketkeeper from the infamous 1969 match, set to ring the bell on Saturday. Colhoun even recalls escorting the West Indies team to their hotel in 1969.
Preparations are in full swing, with the entire community pitching in to ensure the event’s success. Kathryn Rough, interim general manager for the North West Cricket Union, described the atmosphere as “all hands to the pump,” noting that even finance staff are helping with tasks like dressing curtains.
Beyond the cricket, attendees can enjoy corporate events, a kids zone, a food village showcasing local produce, and halftime entertainment featuring Irish and Scottish dancers and bagpipes.
While the excitement is palpable, the pressure is also immense, particularly for Trevor Hamilton, responsible for ensuring the ground is in peak condition. “I would say my sleep at night isn’t the same as usual, so it comes with a lot of nerves,” he admitted.
Adding a layer of historical significance, Bready Cricket Club’s colors are strikingly similar to the West Indies kit, a testament to the club’s founding inspiration from West Indies cricket culture.
“For this club to actually be able to host the West Indies is really special for all the cricketers here, but also for the local people to have international sport on their doorstep,” Rough concluded.
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