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Then Again

Peter Goulding

Friday, May 7th, 2004

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 Thumped by the Rovers, our spirits are crushed.
Our first half display was too sloppy and rushed.
The Hoops seemed much sharper, and mightily battled,
While, right through the team, we were patently rattled.

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 Then again, from the re-start, we took the game to them,
And Stewie and Wes with great vision cut through them,
Second half, sure, there was just one team in it,
Until Rovers broke in the very last minute.

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 Then again, we weren’t helped by a one-sided ref
Who, to our protestations was seemingly deaf.
In getting things wrong, he’d uncanny persistence,
Well-aided by two very feeble assistants.

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 Then again, blaming refs seems so easy and churlish,
Stereotypical, even big-girlish,
Hiding the truth, by apportioning blame
On people who should be controlling the game.

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 Then again, there were players too easily riled,
Who started behaving the petulant child.
Provoked though they were, it was not a solution,
To go around dishing their own retribution.

6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 Then again, all the time-wasting tactics were sad.
No wonder that some of our players got mad.
It isn’t the spirit, it doesn’t belong,
Though the ref never bothered to move things along.

7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 Then again, we have done it ourselves in our day,
Drawing out slowly each tiny delay.
The way to avoid it is not fall behind,
Which might just be something we should bear in mind.

8 Leave a comment on verse 8 0 Then again, we’re still top, it’s our only defeat,
Our unbeaten start was a praiseworthy feat.
We can’t be convincing in each game we play –
No shame to be beaten by Rovers away.

9 Leave a comment on verse 9 0 Then again, will it give every other team heart
To try and redress our immaculate start?
Will teams not be awed by our fierce reputation?
Will this 3-0 serve as divine inspiration?

10 Leave a comment on verse 10 0 Then again, I suppose that it isn’t the worst,
Although our proud bubble is viciously burst.
It could have been Cork or it could have been Bohs,
Rovers is not quite as bad, I suppose.

© Peter Goulding 7th May 2004

Notes

Shamrock Rovers 3 Shels 0. Oh, woe, woe, woe, woe, woe, woe, woe, woe………..

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/then-again/