Humphrey Kelleher

In his prime Humphrey Kelleher was a hard nut to crack
A mighty Gaelic footballer and Cork's greatest fullback
A barrel chested fellow with broad shoulders and lean
He played for Cork and Millstreet and his like not since been seen.

In his hey day in the early to the late seventies and that's going back in time
The great fullback from Millstreet inspired the bards to rhyme
In Pairc ui Caoimh, Coachford and Killarney and in Macroom and Croke Park
The pride of old Duhallow one might say made his mark.

When Cork won the All Ireland in nineteen seventy three
Four great footballers from Millstreet helped them to victory
Half backs John Coleman and Con Hartnett and midfielder Denis Long
And big Humphrey at fullback was gallant and on song.

Two nights later in the Town of Millstreet a twenty thousand crowd
Were jammed into the Town Square and they cheered long and loud
When the Cork players were introduced a great memory to recall
And amongst them Humphrey Kelleher was standing proud and tall.

Though it's been twenty years or maybe more since he played gaelic football
He's still known through the length and breadth of Ireland from Cork to Donegal
The mighty Humphrey Kelleher mixed it with Ireland's best
And he was not found wanting when he was put to the test.