The Champion From Mushera

I remember him quite vaguely and his hair was silvery gray
But he was a famous athlete way back in his younger day
He used to visit Caherbarnagh, call to see Den Donnelly
And though quite young I still remember as I have good memory.

He walked with a cane's assistance and his walk was stiff and slow
But he was All Ireland champion many, many years ago
And an old time sport's fan told me that in the year of  nineteen ten
The All Ireland two mile hurdle Mushera's Paddy Keeffe did win.

'Twas nineteen ten  I think he told me I stand corrected if I'm wrong
That Paddy Keeffe from Mushera was the man revered in song
And that from Macroom to Mushera bonfires by the road did burn
For to welcome back their hero when their champion did return.

There were great men in Duhallow just remember Dr Pat
He was two times Olympic champion only few can equal that
And he broke a world hammer record in nineteen thirty two
And his homeplace Derrygallon became known to quite a few.

But before Dr Pat was even born Paddy Keeffe had won his fame
And through Muskerry and Duhallow he'd become a household name
But he never competed in the Olympics never had the chance to try
And the old time sport's fan oft times used to ask the question why?

Because Paddy Keeffe in those days was an athlete next to none
And the fastest men in Ireland he had beaten and outrun
He may have been Olympic champion may have come home with the gold
But he wasn't asked to compete so the story has been told.

If you see an aged fellow slowly shuffling down the street
Do not dimiss him with scorn he may have been great athlete
Just like Paddy Keeffe from Mushera one I used to vaguely know
A renowned All Ireland champion many, many years ago.