At the Boeing new year swim he is always first in
Mick Collins the fellow with anti freeze skin
For one in his late fifties or early sixties not much younger than me
He is quite a tough nut would you not agree
Age is a relative thing the brave Mick does not feel old
Like the Arctic bear he must be immune to cold
One can say in him there is much to admire
To greater things far younger than him he inspire
Youth does have it’s fling with it’s youthful elan
But Mick Collins is not what you’d call a young man
Like his legendary namesake the man of Sam’s Cross
For words to describe him i feel at a loss
Perhaps the second oldest Boeing swimmer Hannelie O Connor as Mick quite as brave
She is one who does not fear a cold watery grave
One who refuses to allow time to become her foe
Good on you Hannelie for having a go
John Tarrant for the press, Sean Radley, Brendan Murphy and William and Ita Fitzgerald for L T V
Were there to record the occasion for Duhallow people everywhere to read of and to see
Thanks to Sean R and Mary O Mahony for the images and Eileen and Michelle and the organizing committee
And the sponsors and the swimmers young and not so young as brave as the word be
The Boeing’s oldest new year swimmer Mick Collins is way past his prime
But he does seem unfazed by the passing of time
Stripped down to his togs in the cold winter chill
He is a tough fellow the man from Cock Hill.
