On The Passing Of Toots February 02 Poem by Francis Duggan

A renowned Gaelic Footballer when I was a school boy
He is now gone to the reaper but his legend will never die
To Millstreet and Duhallow he was a source of pride
And beyond the borders of north Cork his fame spread far and wide.

As fine a Gaelic player that ever laced on boots
When Glen Rovers had Chisty Ring in Millstreet we had Toots
He never had a poor game he always played hard but fair
And he was the true Sportsman and men like him are rare.

In Cork, Macroom and Coachford I watched him play football
And he always led by good example as I can well recall
A beaming man in victory and gracious in defeat
He more than any other depicted the true spirit of Millstreet.

When I was attending Primary School and that's going back in time
Toots Kelleher of Minor Row was in his glorious prime
From the late forties through the fifties he was one of Ireland's best
And he was not found wanting when he was put to the test.

A legendary Gaelic Footballer and he too had his day
And with the dead of Ireland Toots Kelleher now lay
From life's trials and tribulations he has found a release
And his sufferings now behind him and may he rest in peace.