Strathmore Cricket Union Handbook 1998

54 John Durnin 30.9.55 - 31.10.97 I vaguely remember John playing for Norwood. It probably would have been the late 1970’s or the early 1980’s. A lower middle order batsman and very occasional bowler, John decided that a change of scenery was in order, and so his move to Lawside was born. Why Lawside? Perhaps he sawan opportunity to fully develop his cricketing skills, he may have seen it as an appropriate outlet for his manic excesses or maybe he saw a group of potential soul mates, giving him the chance to enjoy the game, the crack during thematch, and the inevitable apres cricket. Whatever the reason, it was John Bennett’s loss and Lawside’s immeasurable gain. John’s, at times, devastating bowling put a respectability on many a mediocre Lawside performance and indeed was largely responsible for Lawside’s championship and Two Counties Cup wins. Although he never fulfilled his batting potential, he did contribute some exciting innings and was capable of many fine strokes, not least his favourite back-foot cover drive! Among ex-lawsiders, John will probably be best remembered as the eccentric who provided much hilarity, enjoyment and the name ‘Sons Of The Desert’. The epithet ‘mad’ was rarely so appropriate. John went into a gradual retirement after the birth of his son, Padraig, in 1992, of whom he was immensely proud. Father and son could often be seen wandering around the boundary during a ‘Sons’ match, father no doubt recalling to son the many times that vicious late inswinger broke a batsman’s heart (and wicket). During John's last weeks in hospital at Ninewells, I know that he looked forward to visits from friends, especially his cricketing colleagues, with whom he could reminisce about the heady days of Lawside’s domination of the 2nd division. Indeed it was often difficult to leave, allowing John the rest he needed if he was to fight his cruel illness, such was his love of company. John's passing left all who knew him with a feeling of acute sadness and loss and we will miss his humour, his jokes, his temper, his eccentricities, his wit and his wisdom, but most of all, we will miss John. GJM