(1949-2009)
Come, gather round, Columbans/Leprechauns,
Stifle, or else conceal, your ripening yawns,
While I reactivate my verse-ignition
To celebrate our Sixty Year Tradition;
For we, in friendly rivalry combine
Since June the 15th 1949.
Flash-back:- December 16th , '48,
Ignoring which would brand me an ingrate.
Within the precincts of a bank, in Bray,
The Leprechauns were launched upon their way:
Chief Architect, C.Bowlby, man of mystery,
Furnished the format for our future history.
Others deserving gratitude/attention,
Meriting more than one mere line of mention:-
Sir Stanley Cochrane, President, (OC);
The Sowbys, Warden, David; George McVeagh;
Lord Rugby; CP's Founder, 'W.P.T.'
(Apologies for shaky scansion here!-
I sacrifice it for a friend most dear.)
With missionary zeal, Faith, Hope, unbounded,
A Common Wealth, for Irish sport, was founded...
Today, in grim Recessionary Times,
This Happy Theme to stimulate my rhymes!
Respite from "Banksters", Child-Abuse Reports,
To celebrate the King of Summer Sports.
Come Muse! Inspire me now with lines succinct
To honour Names with this Tradition linked;
Names who stand out in our six-decade span;
Though some pose problems for a Rhyming Man:-
Jacobson, Mahony, Graham, (foes to rhyming),
Dineen, the blazered Lysaght (famed for timing);
Skeffington, Amoroso (gifts for scanning);
College Supremos N.H.Lush, L.Canning;
McCaw (G.), born both brush and bat to wield,
Whose strokes adorned the Canvas and the Field:
Goulding, behind the stumps an agile leaper,
Quick-scoring batsman, zestful wicket-keeper.
These, plus so many more, become alive
While memory makes "the burnt-out Junes revive".
Six Decades On: Prized Sporting Link unswerving;
Proud Joint-Tradition, worth our Joint-Preserving.
Morgan Dockrell ( for 10th June 2009)
Note: The above was commissioned for the Sixtieth anniversary of
the match between Leprechauns CC and St.Columba's College.
As both a Columban and Leprechaun I suffer from divided loyalties
when the teams meet. The 2010 fixture coincided with the opening
of the newly renovated Pavilion. An impressive ceremony took
place, with the ageless Norman Lush, former Sub-Warden of the
College and ex-President of Leprechauns making a delightful speech.
§