He played for Ballydaly and Duhallow and wore the Millstreet green
And in the red jersey of Cork he was often seen
Kippagh’s Con O Connor was quite a man in his prime
Though that is going back some three decades in time
Con and Aghinagh’s Vincent Coakley at midfield for Millstreet Cork’s best on their day
For Club and for County great games they did play
When the dashing gaelic footballers in the green of Millstreet
With the best in Cork County were known to compete
Kippagh’s Con O Connor strong sturdy and tall
He was the man who did make big men seem small
One of the great characters of Cork Gaelic football
Of his younger years so many good memories of him to recall
From a challenge Big Con never did back away
He brought his physical presence to the field of play
Perhaps he is in his late fifties today
And in his flaming red hair there are some strands of gray
A man amongst men when Millstreet were great
But then suppose everything on it does have a use by date
One of Cork County’s best Gaelic football teams and in Duhallow to the fore
But what once used to be it is not anymore
Kippagh’s Con O Connor his physical best days are gone
But of the mighty man he was the good memories live on
The colors of Ballydaly and Duhallow and Millstreet and Cork he wore with pride
And he was a great fellow to have on your side.
“Kippagh’s Con O Connor” is by Francis Duggan
Con what a great at midfield,ballydaly and now mill street not the same since he retired.it was great team when you had the horse dineen and foxy con together
My husband’s name is Con O’Connor but he is not the same person. He did
however grow up in Millstreet and was related to Con and Joan Duggan .We are still in touch with Con Duggan’s wife in New York. Our CON came to Canada in 1961 and is now 80. We live in London Ontario and follow the Millstreet news with interest.
A hero to all Ballydaly fans in Gaelic Football
Of the no longer club he has left them with many good memories for to recall
He coached Ballydaly to a great Duhallow Championship win in nineteen seventy five
Decades of years post death of the club such good memories survive
That day in a long gone Autumn the spirit of Ballydaly did burn within
When they won a Duhallow Football Championship in for the Club a great win
A down to thirteen Ballydaly overcame fifteen from Knockscovane who ran out of steam
On what was a great day for Ballydaly fans and their Gaelic Football team
But it was to their coach and mentor the Ballydaly players turned to for one them to victory to inspire
The likeable Tommy Tucker the one all Ballydaly people do admire
It was he who inspired his players when forsaken by the Gaelic Football Gods
For to play their way to victory against all of the odds
Today Ballydaly does not have a Gaelic Football Club which does seem sad to say
And Tommy Tucker has grown older he has known a better day
He has people skills a rare gift one in a class of his own
And in Duhallow and Sliabh Luachra he is loved and widely known.
“Tommy Tucker” is by Francis Duggan