Many cricket enthusiasts in the North West of Ireland say that E. D. R. Shearer was the greatest batsman to grace the local cricket scene.

True as this may be, it would be perhaps reasonable to say that the more recent outstanding and memorable performances by Decker Curry perhaps overshadowed Shearer's glittering batting performances.

Shearer first appeared in North West cricket at the beginning of the 1927 season and in 18 completed innings for the City of Derry club aggregated 595 runs. A fine start indeed.

In his second season, 1928, he totalled 333 runs in 14 innings. With only these two seasons behind him, Shearer severed his connections with the district due to business commitments.

He re-appeared at the start of the 1931 season after a two year absence and although only completing seven innings for the City of Derry club , he scored 337 runs for an average of 48.14.

At this time he was regarded as one of the best batsmen to have taken part in North West cricket. But there was better still to come as Shearer set out to prove that with a straight bat, a perfect balance, correct footwork and the ability to play a definite stroke, runs were easily acquired.

In 1932 he scored his first century in North West cricket, scoring 110 against St Johnston. Such a good year had he that he just missed scoring 1000 runs for the season by 35 runs when rain deprived him of his final innings of the season. 1932 also saw him win his first of 32 caps for Ireland.

In 20 years he played 52 innings for Ireland, scoring 1300 runs for an average of 23.21.

During his long international spell he had the distinction of captaining the Irish team and became the first North West player to score a century for his country.

On the local scene from 1932 Shearer marked a niche on cricket and in eight seasons he scored 12 centuries, including three in representative fixtures, scoring his last 100 against the South Wales Borderers in 1938 while his 233 against Killaloo in the semi-final of the Senior Cup in 1933 established then a record individual score.

Certainly City of Derry were lucky to have player of his calibre on their team and there is no doubt that he played a big part in the club's success. However, City's record before Shearer's time is more impressive, winning the Senior Cup four times out of five attempts from 1919 to 1926 while the Senior League was won three times during this period.

Oddly enough the Senior League was not won in Shearer's time, although a runners - up position was gained on three occasions while the Senior Cup was won four times.