‘Bold Sam’ is in the sights of the Liscarroll bard

FOR many years there was very little literature on the GAA.

But then suddenly it began to flow as histories were researched, autobiographies and biographies published and yearbooks and magazines written.

Even GAA games and stories inspired reams of creative writing. Probably, two of the greatest exponents of the latter came from my own county of Kerry: the legendary Listowel duo of Bryan McMahon and John B Keane.

Last week, I had the pleasure of joining Mary McEvoy (the much loved Biddy, wife of Miley in the series Glenroe) to launch a book of poetry by a great GAA stalwart from Cork.

We were launching the bard of Liscarroll, Philip Egan’s latest anthology ‘Rhymes for a starry night’. The poem is written in a most readable and beautiful way capture the essence of everyday life and the simple things that really matter.

But being a GAA man through and through, his poetry couldn’t escape such a primal influence. Philip won Munster Colleges medals with Carraig na bhFear and for years has been a dedicated and successful mentor and official of both the college and his beloved Liscarroll.

In one poem ‘The Paper Shop’ he recalls the part played by the local shop in the lives of the people as he was sent daily to buy the Examiner and what it meant to him and its thousands of readers.

The counter there was seldom bare with papers in a row,

I loved to read sometimes at speed, the stories done below.

When Ring had scored we all adored the photo on the back,

On someone’s wall it would stand tall, the maestro in attack.

Well, some thing’s never change and ‘De Paper’ is still inspiring both through print and photography, the nations people.

There is one poem dedicated to another former footballer who is still a hero and if Cork win the All-Ireland football final he will be revered even more — the great Conon Counihan.

Appropriately, called “Rebel Hero” (Conor Counihan) it goes as follows:

When you were young you loved to stroll down to the golden strand,

And there with Dad you scored a goal

And soloed toe to hand

Then on the rocks you sat and looked

And watched the waves go by

While back at home your Mama cooked

A tasty dish with joy.

II

Then late that night tucked up in bed

You dreamed of games in school

For football was inside your head

And football was to rule

When Dad told you be brave and strong

You practised long and hard

It seemed that you knew all along

You would get your reward.

III

For red and white was in your sight

And when the great day came

You set the Park in Cork alight

With fervour in your game

That was a taste of things to come

For soon at centre-back

Your steely play was troublesome

For many an attack

IV

Down in Killarney’s hallowed ground

You rose to greater heights

With Larry Tompkins now around

Bold Sam was in your sights

While in Croke Park you led the line

On days we cherish still

With Cahalane you did combine

Your mighty power and skill.

V

And many times you plucked the ball

From danger round the square

And many times you did enthral

When winning in the air

So when they talk in years to come

Of legends loyal and true

True Rebels will become lonesome

When telling tales of you.

That’s the tribute to Conor Counihan, the player. What will the poet Egan write if the Counihan the manager who has “bold Sam” in his sights again brings the Cup back to Rebel County next years? Another book of poetry at least.