Ballyhea GAA : Cork : Ireland : History

Ballyhea V Bandon (by Con O Brien)
I'll tell a story of our Gaelic Glory
To rouse your hearts in the old old way
How the boys of Bandon made a gallant stand on
That Leeside meadow against Ballyhea,
When the hurleys clashing and the champions dashing
Made ringing music as sweet to me
As the bells of Shandon fling loud and Grand on
The pleasant waters of the River Lee.

'Twas late September as you well remember
And strong we rallied for the final fray
When gallant Bandon made a manly stand on
That Leeside meadow against Ballyhea,
When the cheers unending urged the Gaels contending
Like friendly rivals in a nation free
Like the bells of Shandon rang loud and grand on
The pleasant waters of the River Lee.

With dash and daring beyond comparing
'Twas man to man and no children's play,
With the speed and tussle and the pluck and muscle
Of merry Bandon and Ballyhea
And the mighty striking to our dearest liking,
And the leather soaring, a sight to see,
Made a day of glory for a poet's story
While the bells rang sweetly o'er the River Lee.

But our score is mounting and 'tis pleasant counting,
And 'tis safe and certain for Ballyhea,
And the game is ended with a rally splendid
That won our medals that September day.
What other nation in the whole creation
Can show such manhood as our own in play,
And what sounds more glorious than the cheers uproarious
From and Irish crowd in the Irish way.

I'll end my story with a wish for glory
And further honours on a future day,
And may dash and daring and a manly bearing
Stamp merry Bandon and Ballyhea;
May crowds admiring watch the Gaels untiring
On Erin's meadows as we love to see.
While the bells of Shandon ring loud and grand on
The pleasant waters of the River Lee.

The above poem was written by Con O' Brien on the occasion of Ballyhea's victory over Bandon in the final of the 1931 County Intermediate Championship.