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Poem

The Town

In every town and village, In every county nationwide, GAA clubs are loved and nurtured, With the greatest, heartfelt pride.

My own club is no different, Portlaoise, the Town, as it’s also known, Where legends were born and raised, And idolised by their own.

A club known country-wide, Steeped in folklore and tradition, The birthplace of many greats, Who’ve earned their legendary positions.

Paddy Bracken, Pascal Delaney, The Fennelly’s, Bohan’s and the Browne’s, All legends in their own right, All heroes of the town.

Bill Phelan, Pat Critchley, John Taylor, The auld timer, John Joe Ging, All brought glory to the town, Giving us a reason to rejoice and sing.

Curly Prendergast and Bruno, Tommy Fitz and of course ‘The Chief’, They shed blood and sweat, For the green and white, And to their team mates, instilled belief.

Cahir Healy and Tommy Conroy, Men who always went that extra mile, The Mulligans and the great Atch Whelan, These boys played with heart and style.

Ellen Healy and Aisling Saunders, And the many ladies who came before, Their place in club history, set in stone, For now and ever more.

From an All-Ireland in ’83, To a record, 9 in a row, Success followed Portlaoise teams, Wherever they chose to go.

A dual club from 1887, With an insatiable appetite to win, Many times the gaels of Portlaoise, Were there when the town Came marching in.

- Dennis Tynan

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