It’s well I will remember two thousand and thirteen

Duffry Rovers not going so well with their senior team

They looked to Coiste na n0g for some silverwear to get

Duffry Rovers young guns, their appetites were whet.

 

First were the under fourteen hurlers against the Volunteers from Wexford town

Who were going to do their very best to keep the Duffry down

We travelled to Wexford Park one wet and windy morn

And on the field of dreams that day some Duffry stars were born

 

The Duffry Rovers young guns were better on the day

The Volunteers gave it all they could but couldn’t match the play

With Conor Colman on a solo up beside the stand 

He hit the slitor off his hurl and ore the bar it land

 

The stylish Cian Fitzhenry as he rounded the centre back

And hit the slitor a master stroke to the onion sack

So when the final whistle blew and Duffry were the best

Every player had played their part and passed the final test

 

Next were the under sixteen footballers who had reached the final too

Against the Shamrocks from Vinegar Hill who had also made it through

We travelled down to Bree one day when the sun was in the west

To see which of these two teams would emerge the best.

 

The game began with deadly pace as the teams to battle went

And no man gave his marker room on victory both Hell bent

The half time score Duffry led by four and as they knew quite well

The Shamrocks had another half to hit their purple spell

 

And that they did as we knew they could with victory in their sights 

As the teams played out the second half underneath the lights

Then Gavin Watchorn took a pass an through the mid field he did strive

He kicked the equalizing point to keep the Duffrys dream alive.

 

The whistle blew for full time and the teams were all tied up

They’d have to play extra time to see who would win the cup

And physicos ran with muscle rub to try to stop the cramps

As thirty lads lay on the pitch underneath the lamps.

 

The extra time it started soon and the Shamrocks kicked two over

The Duffry Rovers kicked two back, one from the man of the match Tim Bowler

And as the minutes ticked away on no team would you bet 

Till young John Dunne he got the ball and kicked it to the net
 

At last the final whistle blew and the Duffry had top score

From Bree hill to Blackstairs Mountains you could hear the Duffry roar

The moon shone down upon the pitch at the presentation of the Cup

And Duffry Rovers football stars in harmony shone up.

 

But our year it wasn’t over yet as more finals we were in

And not to mention the under fourteen footballers would be a mortal sin

Against Davidstown/ Courtnacuddy in Tagmon one Friday night

I went to see these two teams play football at full flight

 

And I wasn’t disappointed to take the time and trouble 

To see this young Duffry team going for the double

Half way through Duffry trailed by two and with another half to go

They vowed to dig deep their pride to keep and their neighbours they would lay low

 

Eric Nolan the captain he led from the back

as he launched the long ball up the field to attack

Davidstown/ Courtnacuddy the pressure they were feelin

When two goals were scored by Duffrys Cathal Whelan

 

When our neighbours went hunting for goals to get 

They found Gearoid Doyle there minding the net

As he dived for the ball time after time 

For the Duffry he laid his very soul on the line

 

Martin Fitzhenry his hair he pulled out

As he paced on the sideline you could hear him shout

With gestures and facial expressions of disbelief

And when the threat was cancelled a sigh of relief

 

The teams fought for possession amidst tussles and wrangles

And points were kicked over from incredible angles

So when the full time whistle blew again the teams were tied

Extra time would be required to get a winning side 

 

In the last ten minutes Duffry turned on the power

and the whole team they bloomed like a flower

The ball was hand passed between Duffry team mates

and five points were kicked over by the powerful Jack Bates

 

When the final whistle blew the double was complete

the first Duffry team for many ayear to achieve such a feat

the supporters stormed onto the pitch to congratulate the team

I have no doubt some of the players thought it was all a dream

 

Next we had the Minor Footballers who I better not leave out

They too had reached the Final and were in with a shout

against Kilrush one Friday night in St Patricks Park

and as the half time whistle blew it was looking rather stark

 

The match so far was dogged and looked like Duffrys chance was gone

when the scoreboard read Kilrush five points, Duffry Rovers a solitary one

so to the dressing room the team did go with plenty to talk about 

Whatever was said in that ten minutes a different team they came out

 

Éamon, Aaron and Conor they shut up shop at the back

and the rest of the team moving forward carried out the plan of attack

in the final quarter it was into Kilrush that they tore

and in the last few minutes Duffry led by the minimum score

 

Then the impact sub Gavin was sprung from the bench and into the forwards he went

and true to his nature not long on the field when the ball to the net he sent

so Duffry Rovers were the winners when the final whistle came 

and the minor footballers had done their bit to preserve the Duffry name.

 

Congratulations to our schoolgirls who won the Rackard League Roinn C

They wore the Duffy colours and they trained up in Coolree

They served us up a thriller that kept us on our toes

And the team was led and captained by the one and only Gerri-Rose

 

Well done young Duffry Rovers, you served your club and parish well

Be proud of who you are and the places where you dwell

Your achievements they are noted and the foundations they are laid 

And you have the skill and courage to build on what you’ve made

 

So stand up young lads, stand tall regardless of your height

The future of the Duffry club is looking very bright

Play your game with pride and passion no matter who you meet 

And keep Duffy’s Tri Colour flying on your village street.

 

Damian Cullen