Just thinking there that the Hurling League is as much entitled to the razz-mataz that was granted to the football.
Can't wait for the Semple Stadium launch of the league between Cork & Tipp and Boy George chained to the railings having to recite this little bit of rubbish I puut together yesterday while snowbound in Delany's pub !
125 Years And Counting.
125 Years And Counting.
Think of the number of balls that were kicked, in one hundred and twenty five years.
Think of the number of games won and lost, then think of the joy and the tears.
Wonder at how many ash trees have been felled to make hurls for the beautiful game.
Remember those heroes of so long ago, we still call them by their first name.
Who would have thought, from that very first day when Cusack and Davin sat down,
That throughout the world, our flags would unfurl in far away cities and towns.
Back then times were harder, with less in the larders, they had different trials to meet.
Our own Civil War and searching for work with Black And Tan's burning our streets.
When they shot Michael Hogan on that Bloody Sunday it was a deed that would put them to shame,
Today fans celebrate and teams receive cups in a stand rightly called in his name.
In the troubles up north the Brit's they resorted to hassling and hindering our Gaels,
But true to their colours, our Gaels stood together and the hassling and hindering failed.
Now picture the scene in an old country cottage up to twenty five people within.
You could hear a pin drop as they waited to hear the voice of O'Hehir streaming in.
No four course lunches, no flat screen TV's, just a 'fag' and a bottle of stout.
With all ears on the wireless while everyone listened to hear how the teams would line out.
Each score was described through the crackling noise of that wireless stuck up on a shelf,
O'Hehir so exciting, you would think that sometimes you were up there in Croker yourself.
Even though they were 'neutrals' a side would be picked, that's when you would hear the odd clap.
And the scorer of goals was often described as 'the one that was wearing the cap'.
Then came the TV, and at last we could see our heroes displaying their might,
But for some strange reason, teams wore the same colours, those colours being plain black and white.
Those games are still remembered for flying boots, flying timber, No cheating or diving allowed,
La Manga was Bray, and the toughest held sway, and on the side of the pitch sat the crowd.
It's not fair to recall, without naming them all, as to which of them was most supreme,
But its hard to imagine, a white pair of posts, without Reddin or O'Keefe in between.
Tommy Murphy, Mikey Sheehy, and Purcell of course, on any team would be a deffo,
And at right corner forward, the fair haired old chief, affectionately now known as Heffo.
When it came to the sticks, nobody could lick, the likes of the Rackard's or Doyle's,
But the best of them all was the bold Christy Ring, there was no one could match him for style.
O'Connell (Martin) from Meath and Mick from Valentia, will be remembered as names of renown,
And who could forget, well, not if they'd marked, Sean O'Neill from the county of Down.
We have come a long way to where we are today, the best amateur sport on the map.
That's down to our players, their dedication and training, but remember the man with the cap.
Now think of the changes that daily take place, in the world that we live in today,
Then think of how proud we can say that we are, to be part of the great GAA.
(http://blogs.smh.com.au/mashup/images/applause.gif)
Have you seen thius Orior?
http://www.sportsfile.com/photo-essays/gaa/ (http://www.sportsfile.com/photo-essays/gaa/)
Quote from: Bud Wiser on February 04, 2009, 12:16:02 PM
Have you seen thius Orior?
http://www.sportsfile.com/photo-essays/gaa/ (http://www.sportsfile.com/photo-essays/gaa/)
Very good!
Maith thú a Bhud
Great reading Bud - covered more in those verses of the spirit of the GAA than the Late Late.
great job Bud.
Savage Bud. Savage.
That was brilliant, well done and thank god for that snow :)
How long to that appears in one of the papers given previous form
That sings well to the air of 'Spancil Hill' Bud. Very good it is and all.
You should give this man a shout and see if he's interested in covering it!
(http://dynimg.rte.ie/000063600c8r.jpg)
Good man Bud, maith thú ar fad!
Bud, I think we should club together and buy you a season ticket for Delaney's. And hope for more snow.
Great bit of stuff Bud
Great poem Bud
(loved that response orior)
Really enjoyed that Bud. Must get snow bound in a pub with you some day.
Great stuff Bud.
Great stuff! :)
Just a little mistake but it takes nothing from the overall piece.
There's nobody can say they're not glad
Quote from: Eoghan Mag on February 04, 2009, 09:35:58 PM
There's nobody can say they're not glad
Poetic Licence! ;)
It's boys like you Bud that keep this site alive. God Bless you and the statue that's being erected in your honour in Dungannon.
Maith Thu Bud. intaoch ar fad
Fancy a pint Bud?
Brilliant
Thouroughly enjoyed reading that Bud. The first one that is, not the second one. Which although has merit - is a little on the short side.
Mighty stuff Bud..
Only after reading that now, but that was a superb piece of poetry Bud. Fair play again.
Only after seeing this baby now, powerful stuff Bud!
Quote from: Bud Wiser on February 07, 2009, 03:12:02 PM
Sorry for bringing this back to the top, Mod, is there no way you can edit a post and leave it where it is.?
Anyway, believe it or not I had a little interest from a sports section of a publication !!
But, like poor ould Ronnie Drew and Seven Drunken Nights they wanted to leave out a few lines that might be offensive so I edited it all but said there would be a strike if I was to do that, paticularly as the "offending" lines represented the truth.
Why couldn't it be published in its proper form? What is wrong with having an opinion or worse still telling the truth. The truth can be an inconvenient fecker I suppose, depending where you're sitting.
leathel stuff, sent a big shiver up my back!
Following up on Bud's ode, a few 125 years pics from the Irish Times:
125 Years Pics (http://www.irishtimes.com/indepth/slideshows/gaa125)
Thanks F.O.S.
Just annoyed they did not include this one though, it's not as if we have 25 or thirty of them !
(http://www.emerald-isle-gifts.com/images/articulos/icha115.jpg)