“Aghinagh’s Vincent Coakley” by Francis Duggan

Poet supreme, Francis Duggan  composed this very special poem some time ago remembering Vincent Coakley.    Vincent went to his Eternal Reward during this past week.  R.I.P.. We thank Con Meade for alerting us to this truly superb poem. (S.R.)

A tall and classy Gaelic footballer the midfielder complete 
Aghinagh’s Vincent Coakley played for Aghinagh and Cork and Millstreet 
He and Kippagh’s Con O’Connor the best midfielders in Cork at their best 
Were never found to be wanting when put to the test 

Though this is going back some three decades in time 
I remember Vincent Coakley in his physical prime 
For Millstreet he gave many a memorable display 
Perhaps in his dark hair there is gray today 

Beyond Aghinagh he is one widely known 
The Millstreet fans did claim Vincent for their own 
And why not they for he was a fine sporting player 
Not many at his best who with him could hope to compare 

On Sundays in Summer in Seasons long gone 
In Cork County Championship games in Coachford and Macroom we cheered Millstreet on 
Though down on the scoreboard the Finnowsiders were fighting back 
With O’Connor and Coakley at midfield sending them to attack 

Tall and stylish Aghinagh’s Vincent Coakley built like a running athlete 
He played for Aghinagh, Cork County and Millstreet 
In his physical prime some three decades ago 
And time as we know becomes everyone’s foe.