THE LEGEND THAT IS DECKER CURRY- CATCH HIM WHILE HE’S HOT

Last Saturday saw the launch of Billy Platt’s latest book “A history of Ardmore CC from 1860-2015” and with my colleague Mr Chambers working off a few hours after his latest trip, I availed of the opportunity to go along and get a few snaps.

Ardmore has always been a favourite ground of mine since the Waterside days when the banter was fantastic; although I was at the centre of a row between the clubs about 40 years ago at Corrody, which is another story for another day.

Going back to the ‘Green these days has very mixed emotions for me because while I always enjoy the craic; every journey costs 6 quid to get my car cleaned the following day.

On the way home on Saturday the thought crossed the old noggin that Ardmore have had a real “rub of the green” this season to the extent that they could easily end up winning the senior title (that was before the Sunday after the Saturday night!!).

The early season fixtures had been kind to them and a couple of wins helped Gary Neely’s boys to build up a bit of momentum in the league, while they had reached the Ulster Cup final just by beating Derriaghy.

On closer scrutiny however, luck has little to do with what is currently going on at the Bleachgreen because you don’t have to scratch too far below the surface to see the amount of hard work that has been the real story.

The club has made some excellent moves in the past few years- making Dermot Ward the Chairman for example; Kevin Martin coming in to look after coaching and fitness and re-organising the underage structures at the club.

None however, not one single thing, has trumped bringing in John Desmond Curry.

Despite the fact that Strabane blew several chances to win Saturday’s game, Curry’s 86 was the difference between the teams. He came in when they were 20-odd for 4 and he lifted them by the collar straight out of the mire.

It’s what he does, and pretty much what he’s always done.

The rest of the journey home was spent wondering what might have happened if Decker had got the other 14 runs he needed to post his 99th career century, and what would have happened if he got another one between now and the start of September.

At this point I have to hold my hands up and admit that I don’t know the great man, and not sure I know anyone else who does either. I have taken his photo a million times, done half a dozen interviews with or about him and umpired a hundred matches that he has played in.

Yet I’m pretty sure he hasn’t a clue what my name is.

As my journey came to an end I remember thinking what a privilege it had been to have been at the game that day and had a cuppa with some genuine, down-to-earth cricket people (from both clubs).

I couldn’t help but think that in 50 years’ time, people will be talking about Decker in the same way as the older generation today talks about EDR Shearer or Scott Huey, or the more recent North West legends like Ossie Colhoun or Brendan Donaghey.

Many people around today would tell you that Brendan was the most stylish players ever to come out of this region. Brendan would tell you in a heartbeat that Decker is the best he’s ever seen.

I suppose my point is that while Ardmore have pulled off a real coup in bringing Decker to the ‘Green for the past few years, and despite the fact that he’s in the shape of his life, the opportunities to see him strut his stuff are counting down.

He’s no longer the same savagely destructive batsman that prowled the North West and beyond for two decades, but as he proved on Saturday, he doesn’t need to be.

There are many who believe he’ll come back next season if he doesn’t manage to get those couple of elusive centuries in 2016.

I doubt very much if he gives the proverbial monkeys.

Decker knows that by getting his hundredth 100 he’d have to give another five interviews and have 50 photos taken and that’s the bit that doesn’t sit well with him.

What is for sure is that Curry turns 50 this December and although he won’t be dictated to by numbers, he has set and maintained these huge standards. He’ll know when it’s time to go and it’s very unlikely that he’ll hire an open top bus to announce it.

Great players only come around once in a generation but special players not even that much.

It might be an idea to take in as much as possible now while you still can just so as you can say you were there….