Songs & Poems

Scobie's Year

by Denis "Scobie" Wall

In the hurling year of ’74 now history will recall

When a crowd of lads were gathered in our local Village Hall,

To rejuvenate for to reinstate our colours to set alight

To see our boys togged out once more in their colours Blue & white.

Oh Ker Dunphy our skipper who the critics said was done 

But there at centre-half that day he showed how games are won

Not Vin Baston in his halcyon days has hurled with such delight 

As he led the Village to victory in their colours blue and white

Now Tim Gleeson our custodian he was a real stone wall 

As many’s the times he stood before with his native Moneygall. 

Pat Cuddy (Paddy) was a hero for he cleared with main and might 

To clear away the danger for our boys in Blue and white.

Now Michael Peters at full back he was really on his own 

And will always be remembered in his native Campclone.

Tom Doheny down from Forest too he trained with main and might 

As he cleared away the danger for our boys in blue and white.

And now we take one step out to our half-back line, 

Everybody knows him now the mighty Michael Boyhan.

And youthful Bernie (Ferns) on the left he cleared both time and tide

As with Ker in the centre they complete a mighty line.

And when we come to centrefield we really had the say,

Tom Palmer just like Wheeler of old, young Wall (Conleth) like Harry Gray 

And young Fint Palmer on the wing the crowd he set alight 

As he crashed that ball into the net for our boys in blue and white.

Now James Hanlon from the Pike he came those colours to uphold,

As with that ball upon his stick he headed on for goal.

He jinked and swerved through the defence the crowd was in delight

As he swept the Village to victory in their colours Blue and White.

And now Tom Breen our army man he really was supreme,

For there at right half-forward now he really was the cream.

And young Pat Keyes our returned exile he played with might and mind 

To help the Village to victory in their colours blue & white.

And now we shall reserve a spot for the man we call the Coop( Sean Brophy),

For every time he touched a ball the defence was in the soup.

Frank Doheny too his part he played like often times before,

And now she’s won the critics are done but the Cup lies by the Nore.

And to all those others players we’ll give a big Hello, 

Young Dunne (PJ) and Coughlan (Tom)

the Bergins and Jim Cuddy from Danganroe.

Doheny and Phelan and Donovan they really were divine,

And likewise Charley Palmer and Loch Garman’s Willie Ryan.

Oh now the year of ’74 will be called the Village Year,

And now we’re one step forward but of this we have no fear. 

For Donie (Dunphy) our hurl – bander now he’s fit and full of cheer,

but when the brandy is all gone they will call it Scobie’s year.

The Man They Called the Brang

by John O' Sullivan

There once was a hurler who inspired us all,

And his praises loud we sang,

Built like an ox and as cute as a fox,

The man they called "The Brang".

You've heard the tales of Carey and Ring,

All the hurlers of great renown,

But from the valley of Laois it's hard to beat,

The giant from Castletown.

No better man could you have at your side,

When the battle was in full flight,

He patrolled the square like a grizzly bear,

A hero in blue and white.

No team was feared as we strode out,

To face the stars of the game,

For out on the field was a man of steel,

John Cuddy was his name.

Against brave Oulart in Enniscorthy,

He stood out like the sun,

When all hope was gone, he roared us on,

Until victory it was won.

And even when illness struck him down,

He returned to rally his men,

There was plenty of crack, "The Brang" was back,

We were on the road again.

His final game was in Nowlan Park,

Against those mighty men from Birr,

Under November skies, he led his boys, 

And showed them how to hurl.

Now God has called him from this life,

His earthly hardships are at an end,

Even though he's gone, his memory still lives on,

Our kind and generous friend.

Your cheery wit and cheeky grin,

We'll miss as days go by,

But no matter where we go, when hearts are low,

We'll talk of you and smile.

Now wherever a game of hurling is played,

And the boys from the village enter the fray,

When you hear the clash of the noble ash,

Think of John Cuddy and how he used to play.

So gather round both young and old,

And pay tribute to this great man,

No need to fear, for his spirit's here,

The man they called "The Brang". 

                                                                Until we meet again,

                                                                Your friends in blue and white.

                                                            J.O'.S

Champions 1995

by Maura Cuddy

Let us honour in song and in story,

Our hurlers of fame and renown, 

Who played like true hearted heroes,

To beat the men from the mountain and town.

Remember the hurlers from Castletown, 

Those brave lads so gallant and true,

We all have such wonderful memories,

Of '95 and our 'boys in the blue'.

Forget not the boys from the village,

Those brave hurlers so gallant and true,

'95 was their first Senior Title,

We're so proud of the 'boys in the blue'.

On the 20th day of August,

The venue it was O' Moore Park, 

They were facing the champions from Camross,

Which could prove a mighty big task.

But our boys were determined and eager,

And oh what a game they did play,

When they caused the shock of the season

And stole the champion's crown away.

Forget not the boys from the village,

Those brave hurlers so gallant and true,

'95 was their first Senior Title,

We're so proud of the 'boys in the blue'.

Twas back to the field for training,

The celebrations were over and done,

There'd be plenty of time for rejoicing,

When the senior final was won.

With the 10th of September approaching, 

At last that big day was here.

Portlaoise sure they had to be favourites,

Still of them our boys had no fear.

This year they'd not be defeated

Sure once more on the field they shone,

Soon our banners in triumph we were waving,

To show that 'The Village' had won!

Forget not the boys from the village,

Those brave hurlers so gallant and true,

'95 was their first Senior Title,

We're so proud of the 'boys in the blue'.

Sweetest of All

by Maura Cuddy

Many county finals we've won boys,

And God knows we're proud of them all,

But that years county final 2000, 

Sure that was the sweetest of all!

Wasn't it sweetest of all boys,

Wasn't it sweetest of all,

It wasn't our first, and it won't be out last,

But this one was sweetest of all! 

The sun it came out in O' Moore Park,

The conditions they were mighty rough,

No one said it was going to be easy,

For both teams the going would be tough.

Wasn't it sweetest of all boys,

Wasn't it sweetest of all,

It wasn't our first, and it won't be out last,

But this one was sweetest of all! 

The first half was evenly contested,

Both sides got their share of the ball,

Then "The Village" went three points on top boys,

Some said  "sure that's no good at all"!

Wasn't it sweetest of all boys,

Wasn't it sweetest of all,

It wasn't our first, and it won't be out last,

But this one was sweetest of all! 

The second half sure it won't be forgotten,

When those two goals they came in a flash,

By eleven points now "The Village" were leading,

I can still here that clash of the ash!

Wasn't it sweetest of all boys,

Wasn't it sweetest of all,

It wasn't our first, and it won't be out last,

But this one was sweetest of all! 

Soon the game it was over,

"The Village" had won back to back,

To win by 7 points tells the story,

How our boys did us proud in the Park!

Wasn't it sweetest of all boys,

Wasn't it sweetest of all,

It wasn't our first, and it won't be out last,

To beat Camross was sweetest of all! 

Three in a Row

by Maura Cuddy

The final is over, "The Village" have won,

3 in a row for 2001,

But this one was different in more ways than one,

They hurled their hearts out for those lads that are gone.

Beautiful, Beautiful Castletown,

Your hurlers have brought you both fame and renown,

There's no team in Ireland that's nicer to know,

Than those bunch of lads who won three in a row!

Twas '74 when it all came to light,

When Scoby Wall started the blue and the white,

They've won many titles since then you know,

But oh how they hurled for their three in a row!

Beautiful, Beautiful Castletown,

Your hurlers have brought you both fame and renown,

There's no team in Ireland that's nicer to know,

Than those bunch of lads who won three in a row!

In search of employment some may have to roam,

Far away from the village, far away from their home,

But wherever you travel, wherever you go,

Always be proud of the three in a row!

Beautiful, Beautiful Castletown,

Your hurlers have brought you both fame and renown,

There's no team in Ireland that's nicer to know,

Than those bunch of lads who won three in a row!

Ireland's Tidiest Town

by Maura Cuddy

Oh how sweet tis' to roam round this Village so fair,

Just to hear the birds sing in the clear morning air,

Where in Summer and Winter sure people stroll down,

The banks of the Nore that flows through Castletown!

So here's to our Village

Yes we've won that crown, 2002 Ireland's Tidiest Town.

Your're welcome to visit and ramble around,

Sure there's beautiful scenery in sweet Castletown!

Down by the river, on a warm Summer's day,

Children they gather, to swim and to play. 

Strangers they come here, from towns all around,

To sunbathe by the Nore here in sweet Castletown!

So here's to our Village

Yes we've won that crown, 2002 Ireland's Tidiest Town.

Your're welcome to visit and ramble around,

Sure there's beautiful scenery in sweet Castletown!

Looking down on the river there's that lovely old mill,

And the ruins of that castle stand on the hill.

That neat village green where those chestnut trees crown,

They're just some of the landmarks around Castletown!

So here's to our Village

Yes we've won that crown, 2002 Ireland's Tidiest Town.

Your're welcome to visit and ramble around,

Sure there's beautiful scenery in sweet Castletown!

So flow on lovely river, flow gently along,

By your green mossy banks, sure the fishermen throng,

And you'll see salmon leap where the waters gush down,

The splendid Nore falls here in sweet Castletown.

So here's to our Village

Yes we've won that crown, 2002 Ireland's Tidiest Town.

Your're welcome to visit and ramble around,

Sure there's beautiful scenery in sweet Castletown!

Now we'll mention our hurlers, sure they're our delight,

Everyone here's so proud of the blue and the white,

Seven senior titles they proudly now hold,

And last year they brought back the "five in a row!"

So here's to our Village

Yes we've won that crown, 2002 Ireland's Tidiest Town.

Your're welcome to visit and ramble around,

Sure there's beautiful scenery in sweet Castletown!

Castletown

by Christy Cullen

There's a spot in the midlands that's dear to my heart,

A village with beauty so rare, 

And it lies near the foot of the lovely Sliabh Blooms, 

And it's oft' that my heart goes back there.

Tidy Towns Champion, with hurlers of fame,

Where peace and contentment abound,

With it's natural beauty, sure none can compare,

With the village they call Castletown. 

To climb Pilgrim Hill and to look to the North,

It's a scene in my dreams I still see,

As the mountains rise up from the valley below,

With it's heather and woodlands so green.

The mill it looks down on that old waterfall,

As the Nore winds its way to the sea,

Where I fished and I swam in those long days of yore,

Days that were heaven to me.

That old village green where I hurled as a child,

Before the new pitches were found,

With the Monastery Hall at our beck and call,

A concert each year would come round.

My dreams of that spot haunt my memory still,

To finish my days I'll return,

Back to the place where I started it all,

To the village they call Castletown.