Those Men Of 48

It's been sixty three years ago this year since in 1948
When Millstreet Gaelic football fans for weeks did celebrate
Their senior team's Cork County Championship win for the first and only time
The babe back then is now a grand dad and way beyond his prime.

For Millstreet fans who craved success the win was worth the wait
The bonfires blazed in Millstreet Town and pubs stayed open late
And though I was only two years then and much too young to know
We'll toast the men of 48 some sixty three years ago.

Of Millstreet gaelic football teams the greatest team of all
Played St Vincents in the Cork Athletic grounds as history now recall
The Vincents took an early lead and won the early play
But Millstreet fought back towards the end and finally won the day.

The Millstreet Captain Johnny Keeffe played like a man inspired
A local hero in those days and in Millstreet still admired
And sterling full back Cormac Dinneen stood firm in every test
In every tussle for the ball the big man came out best.

Goalkeeper Manning could feel proud he did not blot his sheet
St Vincents failed to find his net for him a marvellous feat
And Jeremiah O Keeffe and Dick Barrett did not leave Millstreet down
Their fame spread beyond Duhallow and miles from Millstreet Town.

Back then the mighty Den Connors inspired the bards to rhyme
And his heroics on the field of play have not faded in time
And Seamie Kelleher in those days was held in high esteem
As one of the finest footballers in Millstreet's greatest team.

Despite the ravages of time the memories yet to fade
Of James Manley and J J Tagney and the great games that they played
And those who witnessed Millstreet's greatest win with fondness remember yet
The rasping shot Toots Kelleher sent to the Vincents net.

The mighty Toots a minor then in victory played his part
He kicked the goal that clinched the game and broke St Vincents heart
And of the marvellous Munty Singleton great stories have been told
The heart and soul it has been said of Millstreet's green and gold.

Tank Driscoll then a powerful man as his nickname would suggest
Built like a tank I have been told and brilliant at his best
Of Millstreet men of 48 the years have taken toll
But age and the wear and tear of time beyond human control.

When an injured Seamie Kelleher left the field of play for Millstreet a setback
But J O Connor, Weir and Michael Byrne fired them on to attack
And when Neilly Dennehy took the field to an ear splitting hooray
The cup was bound for Millstreet Town some forty miles away.

Paddy Kelleher and Denis Twomey wore their team colours with pride
And Con Corcoran and Paddy Cronin became known far and wide
And Denis T Kelleher was another one of the faithful who
By his loyalty and dedication helped make a dream come true.

Millstreet's only senior county winning team to history now belong
But they were mighty on their day and inspired the bards to song
And bonfires blazed for them in Millstreet Town and pubs stayed open late
So why not we recall with pride those men of 48.