When John Cronin was a young man he played Gaelic Football
He was a Millstreet goalkeeper as i can well recall
But more than a good Gaelic Footballer he was known to be kind
And to say the least his equal would be quite hard to find.

He overcame a death threatening illness 'tis known he was very ill
An illness that has claimed many victims that a lesser man would kill
But John Cronin who for Millstreet had made many a fine save
Hung in there when the going was tough fortune favours the brave.

In Millstreet Town and Duhallow a man that so many know
He lived with his parents and his sister at the Priest's Cross that's going back years ago
A photo of him on the Millstreet web site of late i have seen
It must be close to three decades since he wore the old Club's green.

John Cronin a well loved fellow in Duhallow and Millstreet Town
Has overcome a death threatening illness cannot keep a good one down
The Reaper tried to claim the life from him but for him the Reaper has to wait
And a lesser man than he is would now be talked of as the late.

Francis Duggan

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/john-cronin/