MEMORIES OF CHURCHTOWN
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A TRIBUTE TO THE CHURCHTOWN
TEAM
NORTH CORK NOVICE HURLING TEAM 1969
by Helen Morrissey
1
The green parks of Churchtown where strong grows the ash
Have always known hurlers of courage and dash
The great men who lived by the Annagh's swift flow
We remember so well from the long years ago
In November their boys to Kildorrery came
Ballygiblin to meet in a fast, thrilling game
That was voted by all scientific and fine
In the final North Cork of nineteen sixty-nine.
11
Danny Relihan minded our goal-posts that day
Full-back Kevin Leary was Churchtown's main stay.
Jim Brien, Jerry Hallihan, Paddy Joe at his side,
John Bowles and Mick Carey withstanding the tide.
Outside centre-field Tan Simcox and Ned Hawe,
Our forwards likewise were six men without flaw.
Donie Jewitt, Pakie Morrissey, Bill Sullivan full.
Mick McMahon, Pat Behan, Denny Mahony pulled.
111
The game it was thrilling but bad for the heart,
For some ground they oft forced us to yield at the start,
And even at half time our spirits were low
But Tim Griffin, our trainer, then set us a glow
We went back for the second half hopeful and bold
Determined to honour our own green and gold
And the saves of Danny Relihan soon thrilled the crowd,
Supported by Leary and his wingers proud
1V
But up in the front we were near a breakthrough
As Simcox and Hawe up in centre-field drew,
Sending up to the six in our gallant front rank,
To resist - Ballygiblin would have needed a tank,
McMahon and Morrissey gathered around,
Jewitt, Sullivan and Mahony came with a bound.
Behan pointed a winner, we shouldered them up,
To the town of Kildorrery holding the cup.
V
Now tonight here we mention their names with great cheer,
As up go the glasses and down goes the beer,
We remember the Gaels not alone of today,
But all the good men of the years passed away.
And toast that the future may to us extend,
Good hurlers great honours unto us send,
Like the lads in whose praises we all of us join,
Who won the North Cork in 1969.
