Duhallow's Best

Pat O Callaghan of Derrygallon was Duhallow's best
The champion of champions when put to the test
In hammer throwing he broke World records and won two Olympic Gold
His greatness in song and in story is told

Kanturk's Mick Loughlin and John Mahony the Cork jersey did wear
As does Aiden Walsh now in his early twenties a star gaelic football player
As well as All Star Anthony Nash Cork hurling goalkeeper supreme
Duhallow's most decorated hurler who is held in high esteem

Cullen had Batt O Keeffe and Dan Morley and Niall and Doney Kelleher flew the flag for Knocknagree
And Pat O Connor the boxer brought honour to Kiskeam and Boherbue
From Newmarket Danny Culloty a former Cork player who is famed and widely known
And at his best Willie Shine the great Meelin athlete in a class of his own

Dromtarriffe had Dick Harnedy, Matt John Murphy and Miah Murphy in Seasons  long gone
Now with life's departed though their legends live on
In greyhound racing Banteer's Johnny McCarthy at training race dogs was a master hand
He trained more than one hundred race winners in Cork track in one Season his record today there stand

Pat Cashman of Tullig won the Irish Greyhound Laurels twice with Tanyard Heather and Killhoran Boy
And Con Kelleher who owned, bred and trained Laurels winner Philotimo was Cockhill's pride and joy
Donal O Mahony and his wife Geraldine with their dog Mountleader Rumble from the Limerick Greyhound track
To Millstreet Town brought the St Leger trophy with them back

Billy Coleman,  Jer Buckley, Tod Falvey, Eoin Moynihan and Charlie Drake
In motor rallying never left Duhallow down when prestige was at stake
And for promotion of World Championship Boxing and Showjumping and Musical Festivals at Green Glens Millstreet Town
Noel C Duggan the living legend one who does know of Worldwide renown

Some  of Duhallow's best gaelic footballers wore the Millstreet green
William O Leary, Toots Kelleher, Johnny Keeffe, Din Connors and Cormac Dineen
All wore the Cork jersey and done themselves proud
And  so often the fans did sing their praises loud

For Cork and Millstreet Con Hartnett, Humphrey Kelleher, John Coleman, Thomas Kelleher, Con Connors and Denis Long
In gaelic football men often lauded in story and song
And the Burkes Tom and Brendan, the Kenneallys and Denis and Derry Hare
Millstreet in gaelic football produced many a great player.

In walking Stella Cashman from Tullig above Millstreet Town
For the  U S won a World Championship Medal in her walk to renown
In track and field Paddy Byrne, James Twohig and the high Jumper Pat O Shea
Were amongst the best in Ireland and Irish Champions on their day

Paddy Keeffe  of Mushera was a legendary athlete
In two mile hurdle races he was never beat
And world championship Silver Medallist Willie Neenan with success against the best did compete
His fame it does live on as the best of Millstreet

Greyhound men the Dooneen O Keeffes, P J Callaghan, Maurice Finnegan, J J Cronin, Denis Dennehy and Steven O Riordan in their time famed Ireland wide
That Duhallow has a  great sporting history could never be denied
From Ballydesmond Donncha O Connor a leading Cork forward and a  gaelic footballer supreme
Four National Leagues and an All Ireland medal enhances his public esteem

Back in the very early years of the twentieth century this is going way back in time
Johnny Jack Murphy and Denny Penny Kelleher were champion road bowlers in their prime
And nowadays young Brendan O Sullivan of Ballydaly  an Olympic Medallist at Floorball
Many more sporting achievements in him left to recall.

The Corkerys, Duggans, Singletons, Connors, Collins and Hennessys and Sheas in greyhound circles well known
Duhallow has many famous sporting identities that it can claim as it's own
There are many more worthy of mention but one  has to stop somewhere
From the Barony that is  well known in the bigger World out there

On saying many great sports people in Duhallow i'm not saying anything that is new
There are more i could mention far more than a few
Some of them competed against Ireland's and the World's best
And were never found to be wanting when they were put to the test.