Joey poem
This poem was written three months after his death, 10 years ago.
Oh! Joey how we are saddened
By your untimely death.
But we know you loved your racing
More than fortune, fame or wealth
When to Estonia you made that fateful trip
Our world came to an end.
We lost our greatest sportsman
Racing hero and a friend.
You crossed the divide of nations
And you raced in many lands.
Respected, loves, where'er you went
With many thousands of racing fans.
You may not have known it
But you were a superstar.
A famous name across the world
In many countries near and far.
It was poetry in motion
You and your Honda were as one.
A legend in your lifetime
Ballymoney's own most loved and famous son.
As you scorched around the circuit
So much excitement you did bring.
You'll live forever in our hearts
You were Ulster's two wheel 'King'.,
There have been many young pretenders
Who aspired to wear your crown.
But so often on the last lap
They've just had to follow you around.
How we looked for that yellow helmet
And that famous number three.
Heartbreaking for those who loved you
Ended cruelly by the tree.
'King of the Mountain' - 'King of the Road'
Your equal we will never see again.
You never once let down your fans
The greatest racer ever is how you will remain.
Five times Formula 1 World Champion
Twenty-six wins in total at Isle of Man TT
And just a few short weeks ago
Your added your final three.
Thirteen wins around the great North West
And twenty four at our Ulster Grand Prix.
Plus all at Dundrod and Carrowdore
At Cookstown, Skerries and Tandragee.
You had wins in so many countries
From Ulster to Asia's eastern shore.
A record to remain unbroken
So your name will live forever more.
Thank you for the thrills you gave us
At the North West - the TT or at Dundrod.
Racing will never be the same again
But you've gone to be with God.
Surely the greatest sportsman
That this country has ever seen.
Loved and admired across the world
And honoured by The Queen.
You were the quiet man of racing
There was not much that you would say.
But you were the peoples' champion
In your unassuming humble way.
There will never be another
You were the greatest and the best.
The grief and tears were plain to see
As you were laid to rest.
Your grave - your pub was like a shrine
With all the wreaths and flowers.
Tributes that came from saddened hearts
Because Joey you were 'Ours'.
To read those touching tributes
Brings back so many tears.
One says simply 'Love you Joey'
From a child of tender years.
There's to be a memorial in your memory
In your own home town.
A tribute to our greatest racing legend
Still the 'King' with still the 'Crown'.
A hundred thousand hearts reach out
To Linda, to your family and your Mum and Dad.
Their tragic loss a heavy burden
All so terribly grieved and sad.
May the God of Love who knowest all
And the sorrow life imparts.
Wrap them in his Everlasting Arms
And heal their aching, breaking hearts.