ST PATRICK'S DAY, Sabina Park, Jamaica. It was always going to be a colossal match.

But none of the 15,000 revellers could have predicted the tragic events that would unfold after the Ireland v Pakistan game.

Irish cricket fans flew in to celebrate and combined with the party-loving West Indians, the atmosphere at the ground was incredible.

It hadn't been bad from the start. Seven years in the planning, the Cricket World Cup has been eagerly anticipated in this part of the world.

Windies fans were conga-ing around the stand before the game began.

This was cricket at its best. Not necessarily in terms of the game, but the atmosphere.

When the Irish sealed the match, sending Pakistan reeling out of the tournament, it was with genuine feeling that Irishmen and women shook hands with their counterparts and offered them a pint of the black stuff, specially brought in for the match.

How different the atmosphere was the following morning.

News broke at lunchtime that Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer had died.

Speculation was rife from the start that something was amiss. His death just seemed too coincidental, particularly hearing reports that in Pakistan, effigies of players were being burned.

West Indians love nothing better than to gossip. Ask an islander for their views on anything and they're only too happy to give it - exhaustively.

The initial post mortem result of "inconclusive" brought further speculation.

Then when Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields - a British officer who came to Jamaica several years ago to help fight the war against drugs - said police had not ruled out foul play, all hell broke loose.

"Murder" screamed Jamaica's newspaper headlines a day before the rest of the world.

Journalism isn't quite what it is back in the UK. Editors don't often wait for confirmation, but it would seem on this occasion, they were right.

Conspiracy theories have abounded since then.

And Jamaica has found itself thrown into the spotlight - for all the wrong reasons.

Many are concerned this will further add to the island's already troubled image.

Having invested so much time, effort and money into preparing for the tournament, some fear all their efforts pre-World Cup will have counted for nothing. Unfortunately, they may be right.

Will Jamaica be remembered as the nation which hosted the opening ceremony of World Cup 2007, or for being the island where Bob Woolmer was murdered? I know which my money is on.