The Carlow Fifteen
Authors; Tommy Lynch and P.J. Furey
In 1944, Carlow made sporting history by winning their only Leinster Senior Football Championship, defeating Dublin in the final. This momentous victory was immortalized in verse by P.J. Furey, capturing the excitement, pride, and determination of that legendary team. Below is the full transcription of his poem, celebrating the Carlow fifteen and their unforgettable triumph.
In the year Forty-four towards the end of July,
The great Leinster final was played in Athy.
This game of fine football was listed between,
The boys from the Liffey and the Carlow fifteen.
Oh! I'll never forget till the day that I die,
Of the crowds that went travelling that day to Athy,
They peddled and walked it, excitement was keen,
By the many supporters of the Carlow fifteen.
There were horses and ponies and jennets and traps,
For most of the journey not caring two raps,
There were donkeys came trotting down every boreen,
With their ears to attention for the Carlow fifteen.
O'er the mountains of Leinster the cheers rose and fell,
As Dublin played strongly and Carlow right well,
When the tin whistle sounded the score board was seen,
To be down in the figures for the Carlow fifteen.
As the crowd held their breath and the great climax came,
It was whispered all over that Dublin held game,
But none ever thought of the scoring machine,
The forward division of the Carlow fifteen.
What change in the last half did the minutes unroll,
As the boys from the Barrow kept swarming the goal,
It was blue in an old spot, but red, gold and green,
Were the colours of victory for the Carlow fifteen.
Now we'll crown every player with a gay flowered wreath,
Made from cauliflowers and onions and sugar beet,
There will be smiles on the features of dark Rosaleen,
Decorating the boys of the Carlow fifteen.
As the years creep upon me, I'm wrinkled and grey,
There are times that I gossip and times that I pray,
I will sit by my fireside and puff my dudeen,
And go with my thoughts on the team fondly stray.
Jim Quinlan the goalie was the best in his day,
Jim Archbold, Joyce, and Lawlor full-back,
Whelan and Farrell and O'Rourke weren’t slack.
Centre field was Luke Kelly and Jim Morris of fame,
Mickey Byrne and Hosey and Moore were all game,
But Sullivan, Doyle and Jerma near were green,
Proud champions of Leinster were the Carlow fifteen.
Dublin Core
Title
The Carlow Fifteen
Authors; Tommy Lynch and P.J. Furey
In 1944, Carlow made sporting history by winning their only Leinster Senior Football Championship, defeating Dublin in the final. This momentous victory was immortalized in verse by P.J. Furey, capturing the excitement, pride, and determination of that legendary team. Below is the full transcription of his poem, celebrating the Carlow fifteen and their unforgettable triumph.
In the year Forty-four towards the end of July,
The great Leinster final was played in Athy.
This game of fine football was listed between,
The boys from the Liffey and the Carlow fifteen.
Oh! I'll never forget till the day that I die,
Of the crowds that went travelling that day to Athy,
They peddled and walked it, excitement was keen,
By the many supporters of the Carlow fifteen.
There were horses and ponies and jennets and traps,
For most of the journey not caring two raps,
There were donkeys came trotting down every boreen,
With their ears to attention for the Carlow fifteen.
O'er the mountains of Leinster the cheers rose and fell,
As Dublin played strongly and Carlow right well,
When the tin whistle sounded the score board was seen,
To be down in the figures for the Carlow fifteen.
As the crowd held their breath and the great climax came,
It was whispered all over that Dublin held game,
But none ever thought of the scoring machine,
The forward division of the Carlow fifteen.
What change in the last half did the minutes unroll,
As the boys from the Barrow kept swarming the goal,
It was blue in an old spot, but red, gold and green,
Were the colours of victory for the Carlow fifteen.
Now we'll crown every player with a gay flowered wreath,
Made from cauliflowers and onions and sugar beet,
There will be smiles on the features of dark Rosaleen,
Decorating the boys of the Carlow fifteen.
As the years creep upon me, I'm wrinkled and grey,
There are times that I gossip and times that I pray,
I will sit by my fireside and puff my dudeen,
And go with my thoughts on the team fondly stray.
Jim Quinlan the goalie was the best in his day,
Jim Archbold, Joyce, and Lawlor full-back,
Whelan and Farrell and O'Rourke weren’t slack.
Centre field was Luke Kelly and Jim Morris of fame,
Mickey Byrne and Hosey and Moore were all game,
But Sullivan, Doyle and Jerma near were green,
Proud champions of Leinster were the Carlow fifteen.
Authors; Tommy Lynch and P.J. Furey
In 1944, Carlow made sporting history by winning their only Leinster Senior Football Championship, defeating Dublin in the final. This momentous victory was immortalized in verse by P.J. Furey, capturing the excitement, pride, and determination of that legendary team. Below is the full transcription of his poem, celebrating the Carlow fifteen and their unforgettable triumph.
In the year Forty-four towards the end of July,
The great Leinster final was played in Athy.
This game of fine football was listed between,
The boys from the Liffey and the Carlow fifteen.
Oh! I'll never forget till the day that I die,
Of the crowds that went travelling that day to Athy,
They peddled and walked it, excitement was keen,
By the many supporters of the Carlow fifteen.
There were horses and ponies and jennets and traps,
For most of the journey not caring two raps,
There were donkeys came trotting down every boreen,
With their ears to attention for the Carlow fifteen.
O'er the mountains of Leinster the cheers rose and fell,
As Dublin played strongly and Carlow right well,
When the tin whistle sounded the score board was seen,
To be down in the figures for the Carlow fifteen.
As the crowd held their breath and the great climax came,
It was whispered all over that Dublin held game,
But none ever thought of the scoring machine,
The forward division of the Carlow fifteen.
What change in the last half did the minutes unroll,
As the boys from the Barrow kept swarming the goal,
It was blue in an old spot, but red, gold and green,
Were the colours of victory for the Carlow fifteen.
Now we'll crown every player with a gay flowered wreath,
Made from cauliflowers and onions and sugar beet,
There will be smiles on the features of dark Rosaleen,
Decorating the boys of the Carlow fifteen.
As the years creep upon me, I'm wrinkled and grey,
There are times that I gossip and times that I pray,
I will sit by my fireside and puff my dudeen,
And go with my thoughts on the team fondly stray.
Jim Quinlan the goalie was the best in his day,
Jim Archbold, Joyce, and Lawlor full-back,
Whelan and Farrell and O'Rourke weren’t slack.
Centre field was Luke Kelly and Jim Morris of fame,
Mickey Byrne and Hosey and Moore were all game,
But Sullivan, Doyle and Jerma near were green,
Proud champions of Leinster were the Carlow fifteen.
Subject
Theme: Sporting heroes of 1944
Description
Location: Carlow county
Praise for the hope the heroes of 1944 brought to Carlow in that glorious era
The two texts show how songs were added to or amended slightly, part of the oral tradition.
Praise for the hope the heroes of 1944 brought to Carlow in that glorious era
The two texts show how songs were added to or amended slightly, part of the oral tradition.
Files
Collection
Citation
“The Carlow Fifteen
Authors; Tommy Lynch and P.J. Furey
In 1944, Carlow made sporting history by winning their only Leinster Senior Football Championship, defeating Dublin in the final. This momentous victory was immortalized in verse by P.J. Furey, capturing the excitement, pride, and determination of that legendary team. Below is the full transcription of his poem, celebrating the Carlow fifteen and their unforgettable triumph.
In the year Forty-four towards the end of July,
The great Leinster final was played in Athy.
This game of fine football was listed between,
The boys from the Liffey and the Carlow fifteen.
Oh! I'll never forget till the day that I die,
Of the crowds that went travelling that day to Athy,
They peddled and walked it, excitement was keen,
By the many supporters of the Carlow fifteen.
There were horses and ponies and jennets and traps,
For most of the journey not caring two raps,
There were donkeys came trotting down every boreen,
With their ears to attention for the Carlow fifteen.
O'er the mountains of Leinster the cheers rose and fell,
As Dublin played strongly and Carlow right well,
When the tin whistle sounded the score board was seen,
To be down in the figures for the Carlow fifteen.
As the crowd held their breath and the great climax came,
It was whispered all over that Dublin held game,
But none ever thought of the scoring machine,
The forward division of the Carlow fifteen.
What change in the last half did the minutes unroll,
As the boys from the Barrow kept swarming the goal,
It was blue in an old spot, but red, gold and green,
Were the colours of victory for the Carlow fifteen.
Now we'll crown every player with a gay flowered wreath,
Made from cauliflowers and onions and sugar beet,
There will be smiles on the features of dark Rosaleen,
Decorating the boys of the Carlow fifteen.
As the years creep upon me, I'm wrinkled and grey,
There are times that I gossip and times that I pray,
I will sit by my fireside and puff my dudeen,
And go with my thoughts on the team fondly stray.
Jim Quinlan the goalie was the best in his day,
Jim Archbold, Joyce, and Lawlor full-back,
Whelan and Farrell and O'Rourke weren’t slack.
Centre field was Luke Kelly and Jim Morris of fame,
Mickey Byrne and Hosey and Moore were all game,
But Sullivan, Doyle and Jerma near were green,
Proud champions of Leinster were the Carlow fifteen.
,” From Carlow Streams, accessed March 14, 2025, http://fromcarlowstreams.ie/items/show/204.