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
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