Pat O Shea

He was Irish high jump champion in his prime day
The great athlete from Millstreet Pat O Shea
Each time he jumped he soared over six feet
And back in those days he was the one to beat.

I've seen him jump and I remember still
The style and grace of tall Pat from Cockhill
And though the records he set bettered many a time
He was a marvellous athlete in his prime.

Old records tumble as the years go by
And high jump records have reached a new high
And records can be broken from once set
But former champions we should not forget.

And since Dick Fosbury introduced his 'Fosbury flop'
High jump records have been tumbling non stop
And modern coaches in their athletes bring out the best
And have them fit and ready for each test.

Each time he jumped a record in his sight
And the bar was risen to another height
And like all great athletes he too had his day
That great sportsman from Cockhill Pat O Shea.

In book of Irish track and field his name is wrote
And for him I'd write a poem were I a poet
At Irish track and field meetings he stole the show
When I was young a few decades ago.