Joe Curtis selects some of his favourite photos, including remembering some legends sadly no longer with us.

Image # 1 ; Mike Joe Butterly of Rush CC and Kit Mooney from the days of Balrothery CC. This image was taken on a day in North County when a few of the older Fingallian cricketers dropped into the ground and mingled with these active today in the game both as players and administrators.

I took the opportunity to take a few photos and it turned out to be a good call and was well received. This feeling of recording something that probably will not last as we know it as all sport becomes more professional and taking photos at grounds becomes more and more limited under the heading of ‘health & safety’ makes me go again.

Image # 2 Sean Moore, John Fanning & Kit Mooney, all from the days of Balrothery CC. All three were pretty handy cricketers with Sean Moore unbelievably fast from only a few steps of run-up, John Fanning was a line and length bowler who was hard to score runs from and Kit Mooney bowled swing was a cute player who was a nightmare for a wicketkeeper. Sadly Sean departed this world in recent days: Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

Image # 3 Joe Clinton, Hills CC As I write this small contribution I am mindful that Joe departed this life three years ago today, the 11th April. Joe was someone who had a great vision for what was possible for local Cricket and the drive to carry his dream to reality. He and I regularly talked by phone and Joe was always as entertaining and positive even when illness was making things difficult for him. A decent man taken too soon.

Image # 4 shows Paul Mooney taking a wicket versus Namibia in 2006 This match was a must win game for Ireland in order to progress further and the game was scheduled as a four day game; however it was terribly rain delayed and it only a last gasp win that got Ireland through. It was a nail biting game but with delay after delay. It was one of those games you look back on and say “I was there”.

My equipment in those days was Nikon D 200 and a 50mm to 500mm Sigma lens that cost a very modest sum. It was taken at ISO 200 at 1/750th of a second. Nowadays such low ISO would be a joke due to improvements in camera design. Yes, a memorable game for me.

Image # 5 John Mooney from the days of Balrothery CC. I played minor cricket for the first time in 1953. Balrothery were short a few players and John Mooney called me and told me I was playing today. This came as a real surprise as I was out for a stroll, minding my own business with little or no interest in cricket. I went out to bat, no gloves, and only a pad on my left leg. The player the opposite end was Christy Cannon and unfortunately he was bowled and I was left standing there on my own. As far as I was concerned I was not out yet and this cricket looked easy, I took the bad news that I had to walk back to base pretty poorly; what kind of game was this?

Well, nearly 70 years later I still have not worked out the answer to my question. My wish to all is to Stay Safe in these uncertain times and when the cricket starts again I will try for one more season to fathom this simple game that is as complex as Coronavirus itself.