Far From The Stands Of Croke Park

Far from the Stands of Croke Park and the cheering Rebel crowd
Us Cork Gaelic Football fans in exile too can feel happy and proud
That Cork with them brought Sam back home after a two decade wait
But through the lean years the Rebel fans with their team kept the faith.

Cork played Down for the Sam Maguire cup Sam was a Dunmanway man
The undying legend of the true Gael the passing of the decades span
On their five previous All Ireland Final appearances in Croke Park Down were never beat
Though by a single point they lost their record to Cork they were gallant in defeat.

When Graham Canty the courageous Bantry man raised aloft the Sam Maguire
The cheers rang loud around Croke Park for a man Cork fans admire
He and their goalkeeper Alan Quirke have been with Cork for some time
The years creep up on the great duo now well past their playing prime.

Not found for to be wanting when they were put to the test
Michael Shields and Eoin Cadogan held their own against Down's best
And for Kilnamartyra's courageous and determined Noel O Leary Cork cheers rang in Croke Park
He overshadowed no less a player than Down's renowned Marty Clarke.

Under the most extreme pressure Ray Carey refused to crack
And though Down did lead them early Cork showed courage to fight back
And John Miskella the running half back from Ballincollig as usual led Cork's counter attack
Of this Cork team it cannot be said that in courage they do lack.

Paudie Kissane a very fine defender made Down fight for every ball
In years to come in Gaelic Football his is a name we will recall
At midfield Alan O Connor and Kanturk's Aidan Walsh served up a great display
They will recall in years from now their greatest ever day.

The veteran Carrigaline midfielder Nicholas Murphy a Gaelic Footballer supreme
When called upon from him another great display to add to his esteem
And Pearse O Neill of Aghada a strong hard running player
In Cork's seventh All Ireland win no effort he did spare.

Colm O Neill and Ciaran Sheehan with their displays can feel satisfied
In years from now to the part they played in Cork's win they can look back with pride
And Eire Og's Daniel Goulding in Croke Park he strode tall
Nine points his contribution perhaps in his greatest game of all.

Ballincollig's Paddy Kelly in Gaelic Football circles one known far and wide
For Cork in another fine game for them his very best he tried
And Ballydesmond's Donncha O Connor proved a huge headache for Down
Five points he added to his and to Cork's tally on his march to renown.

John Hayes and the Nemo rangers pair Paul Kerrigan and Derek Kavanagh true Rebel grit these three did show
'Tis true what is said of winners that them the masses wish to know
And their manager Conor Counihan planned and inspired the Rebels win
Though behind for long periods of time on the scoreboard his players refused to give in.

Gallant Down's contribution to a memorable All Ireland Final one ought not to forget
That their All Ireland Final perfect record came to an end should not cause them any regret
They lost by a single point to a great Cork team in a great game of football
And fought it out right to the end though their backs were to the wall.

Finally let us raise our toasting glasses to toast Conor Counihan's men
Cork the All Ireland Gaelic Football Champions of the year two thousand and ten
The joy of bringing Sam back home to Cork with them was worth the two decades wait
And in towns and cities far from County Cork their win Cork migrants celebrate.