Decker Curry is one of the finest batsmen, if not the finest, batsman the North West has ever produced. A hard hitting, left handed batsman Curry has played for either Donemana or Limavady for over two decades and has dominated the batting stats for the North West.
He also played 50 times for Ireland between 1992 and 2001 and was Man of the Match for a run-a-ball 75 in Ireland’s victory over Middlesex in the Benson and Hedges Cup at Castle Avenue in 1997, Ireland’s first competitive victory over professional opposition. He scored one century for Ireland, 100 against the Earl of Arundel’s XI in 2001.
Curry was also a very useful right arm slow bowler and an excellent fielder in the slips.
Born John Desmond Curry on 20th December 1966, Decker’s Ireland career was controversial. He was an outspoken character whose relationship with the Irish management team was often difficult. Ireland’s ICC Trophy campaign in Canada in 2001, the qualifying tournament for the 2003 World Cup, a disastrous one for Ireland, was the end of Curry’s Ireland career.
Though Curry averaged 27.11 for Ireland, very respectable given the opposition that Ireland played against in those days, his exploits for Donemana and Limavady for the last 25 years or so are what has marked Curry out as a special talent.
Liam Rooney
Copyright: Cover Point
