There are numerous songs connected with sporting heroes of Gaelic games.

And that's exactly what I'm hoping we'll get out of this thread (and other stuff too maybe). Thanks - and I've put in the line breaks.

Lament for John Joe O` Reilly.

God rest you John Joe O`Reilly,
`neath each cold November air,
As the grey dust falls so quickly
round the plains of old Kildare.
God rest and keep you John Joe
may your memory last in Fame,
Throughout each hill in Ulster
and your own loved Cornafean.

God rest you John Joe Reilly,
Neath each bright November star,
Where his hero tales are told to-night,
by firesides near and far,
While by quite lakes in Cavan
men can hear the Banshee wail,
For the bravest hearts of Breifne
and the pride of all the Gael.

They will grieve for him in Kerry,
throughout Mayo, Louth and Cork,
While his comrades go in mourning
through the sidewalks of New York,
Where the Yankees they did cheer him
on that ne`er forgotten day,
When victory was found three thousand miles away.

God rest you John Joe Reilly,
that`s the prayer of royal Meath,
But his loss is felt the keenest
on his native Ulster heath,
Through the length and breadth of Breifne
they are singing one refrain,
God rest you John Joe Reilly
you were the pride of Cornafean.

We bless and keep you in our prayers,
may he count you with his own,
While Ulster mourns your passing
from the Ards to Inishowen,
God rest you and keep you John Joe
and we pray for you to-day,
While Cavan lost their bravest man
on a cold November...