Poem

The Melvin Gaels

(Anonymous – Written to about the victory of the Melvin Gaels in the County Championship of 1959)

When the brown winds of Connaught are blowing,
And Autumn leaves dance in the sun;
Then each Melvin Gaels heart is bounding,
The Championship it has been won.

The candles were lit in St. Aiden’s
And prayers were sent up in the flame,
That the old Gaelic saints around Melvin
Would guide us to victory again.

Through all the bright summer we triumphed
From we first kicked a ball in the spring;
‘Til we vanquished in old Ballintrillick
The best that North Sligo could bring.

When we met Aughawillan we rallied
The boys quickly came to the call;
From fire and from camp and from schoolhouse,
From glenside and far study hall.

From the four green fields came supporters,
All confident we would not fail;
And the resonant accents of Munster
Rang out with “Come on Melvin Gaels”.

McGowan, McGloin, Connolly, Gilmartin
Were all to the fore on that day;
And the Gallaghers, Jackie and Aidan
And Patsy, were fit for the fray.

McGurran, McMahon, O’Malley,
The Kellys to no man did yield,
And with Michael McGloin there to lead us
Petie Foley sped over the field.

Now our hopes, as we look to the future
Remembered, those names long may be;
Where the Duff rolls along by Ahanlish,
And the Drowes sweeps down to the sea.