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John O’Shea’s Miss Against France

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 The said he wasn’t expecting it.
It took him by surprise.
He’d no thoughts of collecting it.
He scarce believed his eyes.

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 He did not think the curling free
Would beat the last defender.
He did not think, alas, that he
Would be the sole contender.

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 So when it came o’er all the heads,
He stabbed his effort wide.
Ireland’s hopes were torn to shreds,
And many grown men cried.

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 But let’s rewind a little bit,
And do some sharp reflecting.
If John was not expecting it,
Then what was he expecting?

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 A leg of lamb? A glass of wine?
A large bemused gorilla?
Perhaps the number thirty nine
Returning from Clonsilla?

6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 A football in the area?
I’d never have believed him.
Could anything be scarier?
No wonder it deceived him!

Source: https://footballpoets.org/poems/john-osheas-miss-against-france/