“Tramp, tramp, tramp our captain’s marching, marching off Croke Park to Hogan stand,
For the Cup of Sam Maguire so light up the old bonfire,
And celebrate the victory sweet and grand”
Dublin Versus Derry 1958
As Dublin prepares to face Mayo in the 2016 All Ireland replay, we are delighted to reprint this 60 year old song, cheering on the Boys in Blue in the 1950’s. The song was written by local man Joe O’Grady. Himself a keen footballer in his younger days, he penned many songs relating to the many local sporting clubs, and also the success of “Dear Old Dublin Town” and even the events of Bloody Sunday at Croke Park.
Michael “Joe” O’Grady (1891 to 1960) was a prolific songwriter whose work captured all aspect of local life , the characters and events he saw around him .The original family home was at Northcourt Avenue (demolished to make way for the corporation houses) , and he later lived in number 80 Church Road. He was at one time employed by the Nugent’s, the famous horse breeders, where he worked alongside Fluther Good ( later made famous by Sean O’Casey as a character in “The Plough and the Stars”). He also worked for many years on the docks, standing every day at the Read alongside his brother Jimmy, hoping to be called out for a day’s labour. This is just one of the many of his songs which have been donated to the East Wall History Group, and they give a great sense of our community in days gone by.
Dublin versus Kerry 1955
