Fame And Family
My cousin, John
I used to boast about him
Mayo GAA and Garda too
We played together
Football in the glen
When we were children
Soccer what I knew
He went on to mighty things
After Kiltane
Mayo GAA All Stars too
And rising in the ranks
Garda Siochana
Made Chief
Before his working life was through
I discovered
That his father, Uncle Hugh
A working farmer
Not interested in sport
Did not attend
Those football great encounters
Preferring to stay at home
And mind the fort
The boyos up in Bangor
Liked to goad him
To take a rise from Hugh
Their gentle game
Did you go to see the match?
Now up in Croker
Hugh of course was ready
For the same
I didn’t go, he said
A pint beside him
I didn’t go
No, I stayed behind
I sent representatives instead
His eyes a-twinkle
His hat upon his head
Now don’t you mind!
Brian Fahy
19 May 2021
Erris Poetry 