Echoes of the Old on the New Battlefields

Warrior chiefs of the GAA were early on the field to prepare:

Posts and cones positioned to mark territories

Very young novices came later by parents’ chariots

clad and shod for the ensuing battles

Firstly, paced for speed, resilience and flexibility,

then marked off into opposing teams

Each warrior chief led a young squad of hopefuls

in further exercises to bring them to fit levels

There followed a huddle, an exhortation rant,

responded with clamour of intent and enthusiasm

Skirmishes began, speed across the field, hunt for the ball,

to be delivered as the goal, or to be prevented at all costs

Warrior chiefs egged on, instructed, altered the field of play

the young ’uns complied with fighting spirit

For every fall and hurt spells were cast on the side line

till fitness returned and they were entered back into play

Scores mounted, roars enhanced, casualties grew,

novices flagged and regrouped across the fields

Between bouts came the talks of encouragement

Stay back, pass, pass, pass, keep the pace.

Old hands passing skill onto new palms with dedication,

a gift of generous wisdom gladly given

Peter Clarke

20^th April 2024