Jack O’Shea

(Hughie Donovan)

We include this song as a tribute to its composer the late Hughie Donovan (Kilmore, Bandon, Co Cork) who died on 18th April 2018, aged 94. He was a true legend in his own lifetime. As well as being a noted singer and songwriter he was also an undertaker, hunter, record holding road bowler, hurler, dancer and raconteur. I recorded this song as well as others that he had composed including ‘The Maistir Gaoithe Hare’ in my car in the Portmagee carpark in 2009. He was still singing up to his death, and at the age of 91 he released a CD of his ballads.

The old tradition of composing songs and ballads about football is still active in the area. Matches won and hard battles on the pitch are captured in the verses. These songs and ballads were the newspaper and sport reports of the day in times past.

Jack O’Shea was born in Caherciveen in November 1957, close to Con Keating Park. In total Jack played in 13 All- Ireland finals, eight senior, four under 21 and one minor and lost only twice, to Offaly in ’82 and the under 21 final against Roscommon in 1978.  He was quoted in ‘Ireland’s Own’ (31st August 2016) as saying.

‘‘My house was across the road from the football field and in the sixties the two Mickos, O’Connell and O’Dwyer, used to come in to the field in the evenings and do a bit of training. But it wasn’t training as we know it nowadays, just kicking a ball to one another from various angles and distances for a couple of hours. I was their ball boy, so I suppose you could say I got good training.’’

Source: Hughie Donovan (Binneas Collection)

Have you heard in Gaelic history of those deeds of great fame?

Of the deeds they’ve done and the games they’ve won and how they made their name.

I have been to many an All-Ireland and seen great men in their day,

But for sheer all round ability, I greet you Jack O’Shea.

Come along with me to Dingle to a place called Annascaul,

God bless you Paddy Kennedy, the greatest of them all.

Your fielding was immaculate, never put a foot astray,

But believe me you will never see another Jack O’Shea.

We will go out to Valentia, meet the great Valentia star,

Oh’ the name Mick O’Connell is known near and far.

You had Paddy ‘Bán’ and Joe Keohane, two great men they say,

But believe me you will never see another Jack O’Shea.

Come back with me to County Cork, where our pride was often stunned,

We will meet the army Captain, the great man Eamon Young.

His duels with Paddy Kennedy are talked about today,

But believe me you will never see another Jack O’Shea.

Have you heard of Tadhgo Crowley, that centre-back from Clon,

His name will be remembered when all other stars are gone.

‘Red’ Collier and ‘Pook’ Dillon were two great men they say,

But believe me you will never see another Jack O’Shea.

We will go along to Cavan with John Joe and Big Tom,

The O’Reillys were outstanding and they played it man to man.

Roscommon’s Dermot Early was a great man too they say

But believe me you will never see another Jack O’Shea.

When ‘Heffo’ went down to fight the Australian foe,

He swore that without ‘Jacko’ he wasn’t going to go.

When the series they were over, and when Ireland won the day,

She was captained by that Kerry man, the mighty Jack O’Shea.

Now you have Pat Spillane in Kerry and Niall Calahane in Cork,

Now you have Kieran Duff in Dublin and the mighty Barney Rock.

Larry Tompkins and Brian Stafford are my choice of the present day,

But believe me you will never see another Jack O’Shea.

This is my opinion; take it all for what it’s worth,

There are several other great men whose feelings I won’t hurt.

There’s the legendary Mick O’Dwyer, he’s a great man too they say,

But please tell me when you will see another Jack O’Shea.Title