Pat O Connor Poem by Francis Duggan

He fought a draw with Randolph Turpin the man who once beat Sugar Ray
And in his Hometown in Duhallow his legend still living today
And whether he's still in the land of the living, don't know and I only can say
That he took on some of the best in England in the tough game of fighting for pay.

It has been said that had he been properly managed that he might have gone a long way
That he might have fought Sugar Ray Robinson the world's best from the U.S.A.
He never did fight for a World title some still claim due to
circumstance
And many quite well versed in boxing said he was worthy of that chance.

A very good middleweight boxer Duhallow's best most would agree
He took on the big names in England far from his home in Boherbue
When I was a boy Pat O Connor's in north Cork was a household name
His name it was so often mentioned as one on the doorstep of fame.

I only knew of Pat O Connor though him I would love to have met
That he caused quite a stir in Duhallow is something I remember yet
The legends of my childhood memories are either dead or old and gray
And until I die they will stay with me though time has them fading away.

He fought a draw with Randolph Turpin who a short time later became
The middleweight champion of the world in boxing the World's toughest game
When I was a boy in Duhallow a legend around him did grow
But that was way back in the fifties and that was a long time ago.