Ballyhea GAA : Cork : Ireland : History

Ballyhea V Churchtown (by Con O Brien)
The very name of Freemount brings music to my ears,
I haven't seen that little town for quite a score of years.
Gaelic spirit stirs my blood to travel there to-day
For Churchtown boys will cross camans with famous Ballyhea.

In Buttevant a month ago, we met our Waterloo,
When Churchtown did, what they had tried for fifty years to do
But that defeat just roused the blood of the boys of Ballyhea
They have come to Freemount determined to wipe it out today.

'Tis the final of the medals and crowds on every side
Are filling up the village street from districts far and wide
But mark those groups of smiling youths, whose laughs ring loud and gay.
And mark my words they'll sweep the field in Freemount here to-day.

The toss is won by Churchtown, a gale blows down the field,
They have their chance with wind and sun to make the rivals yield,
But no, though wind and sun gave aid, the half-time figure told,
Four scores for dashing black and white and two for green and gold.

Ah! Churchtown! now your chance is lost when change of side took place.
With wind and sun assisting you, you failed to keep your place,
The tide is now against you, and the boys of Ballyhea,
Are fleet as deers to finish out this tournament to-day.

Up goes the ball, and smacking shots like bullets passed me by.
The Churchtown posts are peppered with balls hit low and high,
The scores run up, the goals are eight, the points exactly four,
Go easy boys, you don't require to beat them any more.

Twelve goals to three, the final count, so said the referee,
The medals came to Ballyhea and proud our boys should be,
While Tyler, Lenihan and Hawe, they'll yet dash through the fray,
To save the name and bring us fame, to dashing Ballyhea.

The Piggotts and Doherty too, with Desmond and O' Brien,
With Mooney, Geary, Callaghan all fit to toe the line.
And Ryan and Carroll will play, as men may play
To help the name and ancient fame of good old Ballyhea.

The above poem was written by Con O' Brien on the occasion of Ballyhea's victory over Churchtown in the Freemount Tournament in the 1930's.