The Match Coach

I don’t read poetry that much but enjoy it from time to time.

My son in law Rossa Mc Mahon recently sent me this one written by Bernard O Donoghue about some sadly departed GAA stars including his late Dad Garry Mc Mahon who when playing with Kerry scored the fastest goal ever in an all-Ireland Football final . I think it is a rather special poem and hope that you enjoy it too.

In memory of heroes

I had just, or so I dreamt, moved on ahead

To the bridge where the weeping willow

Bows down over the river when I saw

Garry Mc Mahon running back towards me

Out of the mist. “Hurry on!” he called:

“The coach will leave without you, and you’ll miss

The match.” “Who else is coming? I asked him,

“Who is already on the bus?” “John Kerins is there” he said,

“Tom Creedon will come for certain:

Humphrey Kelleher, Jim Brosnan, Christy Ring,

And Michael Mc McCarthy from O Donovan Rossa’s.”

“I’ll come” I said, “If you’re sure Toots is there.

And tell me one last thing: who is the driver?”

Garry said, “If it comes to it, I’ll drive the bus myself.”

Written in memory of Garry Mc Mahon, father of my son-in-law Rossa Mc Mahon. by Garry’s great friend Bernard O Donoghue a poet originally from Cullen in Cork who teaches English in Oxford.

Ted Dwyer Family Business

February 2017