To celebrate Ellistown’s capture of the 1963 Junior Championship, renowned local poet Paddy McCormack composed this tribute to the victorious team.
Ellistown – Co Kildare Junior Football Champions 1963
Brave Ellistown your day has come
With victory once more,
The blue and amber colours
Are out in front once more.
The County you have conquered,
your courage did not fail,
As out you went undaunted,
With the spirit of the Gael.
From North to South you beat them all
In nineteen-sixty-three,
The final test ‘gainst Ballymore
A thrilling draw to see.
The grand reply at Droichead Nua
Against that North team fair,
Proved Ellistown superior
And Champions of Kildare
Against Clogherinkoe’s brave young team
The game to finish up,
Sure Ellistown decided
To take the Higgins Cup.
‘Twas young John Cullen led his men
And the Kelly brothers bold,
With Noone, Molloy and Peter Lynch.
No backs could ever hold
John Donnelly star of many games,
With young McCormack fair,
Excelled in stylish football
With high catching in the air.
George Artley, yes, and Mattie Walsh,
Young Mangan and Liam Molloy,
Joe Connell, Melia and Ger Byrne,
Few forwards could get by.
So now the flag we’ll raise on high,
The amber and the blue,
And sing in praise of Ellistown,
The boys to dare and do.
The County you have conquered,
Your courage did not fail,
As out you went undaunted,
With the spirit of the Gael.
