Ballyhea GAA : Cork : Ireland : History

A Ballad For Ballyhea (by Tom Casey)
The Autumn mists are sweeping down,
O'er mountain vale, and glen.
As once again, the County Crown,
Is brought home by our hurling men.
Oh! Ballyhea adown the years
We have loved your banner bright.
Through joy and sorrow, smiles and tears,
But never as on this night.

The memories now came crowding fast
Of great and gallant men,
As they troop from out the distant past,
We can see them all again.
Those men who set the scene alight,
And won for their own dear black-and-white
A proud page in hurling's story.
Yes, we see again brave 'Tyier's' men
Dash to the fray once more.
And Paddy German's as that crown they win,
Back in the days of yore.
They've handed on a glorious name,
But our hurlers of to-day,
Have proudly kept alive their fame
And that of Ballyhea.

The only club in Avondhu,
Ever, to win the Senior Crown.
You've set a standard high 'tis true,
Can other gain the same renown?
Oh all have longed to see that day,
For nigh a hundred years I'm told,
But only you, famed Ballyhea,
Have won as yet, the precious gold.

And as we now our glasses raise
Amidst the ringing cheers,
Let's not forget to sing the praise
Of those men of former years.
So, come let's toast our grand young side,
Whose future looks so bright,
Who have given us such joy and pride,
A toast to the Black-and-White.

This poem was written to celebrate the 1980 Co. Intermediate Hurling Championship title success over Mallow.