Hurling Books

Book SynopsisPat Spillane is one of the best-known sportspeople in Ireland. Selected for the GAA's Team of the Millennium and winner of eight All-Ireland senior football medals, he is one of the greatest Gaelic footballers ever.Yet that isn''t half of the Spillane story.He has also been one of the most controversial GAA pundits of all time, driving the agenda on The Sunday Game and in The Sunday World for thirty years. His analysis and criticism have been headline news everywhere Gaelic football is discussed, and the terms he coined, such as puke football', have entered the Irish lexicon.Here, Pat reveals the sadness of his childhood when his father died; his dazzling football career and encounters with other immortals, from Mick O'Dwyer onwards; the reality of life as pundit under pressure from managers; and the huge stress of dealing with the machinery of government in the aftermath of his spell with CEDRA, the state advisory group on rural affairs.Like the man himself, In the Blood is uniquely frank, witty, honest and revealing and a must-read for GAA fans everywhere.

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Book SynopsisThe lore and legend of Gaelic Games has been shaped by great players. Since the Games began, special players have had a unique power to make the heart skip a beat. Now THE GAA IMMORTALS celebrates the achievements of 100 of the very best footballers, hurlers, managers, ladies footballers and camogie players from the start of the twentieth century to the present day. Based around exclusive interviews with a who’s who of Gaelic Games, THE GAA IMMORTALS covers all the codes, giving a unique insight into icons of the games, including Dick Fitzgerald, Mick Mackey, Christy Ring, Jack Lynch, Nicky Rackard, Mick O’Connell, Seán O’Neill, Eddie Keher, Jimmy Barry-Murphy, Angela Downey, Lulu Carroll, Nicky English, DJ Carey, Peter Canavan, Henry Shefflin, Gooch Cooper and Joe Canning. With stars from all 32 counties represented, THE GAA IMMORTALS is a fascinating account of the greatest heroes and legends of the games.Trade Review`John Scally’s latest book celebrates the fantastic players, the unforgettable games, the great rivalries and the wonderful pride in parish and county that is part and parcel of the GAA.’ – EILEEN DUNNE ; `A true celebration of the greats of the GAA.’ – SEAN BOYLAN

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Book SynopsisGaelic Games are the focus of endless debate and speculation, set the mood of Monday's post-match workplace and dominate pub-talk. For many of us, life and death run second to major GAA events. Blood, Sweat, Triumph & Tears looks back at some of the best moments from the sporting nation's favourite soap opera. It pays homage to the great players and people in Gaelic football, hurling, ladies' football and camogie. And it glories in the classic victories and thrilling contests witnessed down the decades. Based on exclusive interviews with the greatest personalities in the GAA's rich history, and covering every county in Ireland, here is a unique insight into the passion and politics, the controversies and crises, the wisdom and wit and all the highs and lows of Ireland's national treasure. Full of entertaining anecdotes, inspirational incidents and epic encounters, Blood, Sweat, Triumph & Tears truly captures the magic of the GAA. 'A book to shorten the long winter nights for any GAA fan.' DERMOT EARLEY, Kildare legend 'Will bring back great memories for lovers of Gaelic Games.' KAROL MANNIONTrade Review‘Will bring back great memories for lovers of Gaelic Games.’ – KAROL MANNION, ‘A book to shorten the long winter nights for any GAA fan.’ – DERMOT EARLEY, Kildare legend

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Book SynopsisFans always answer in the affirmative when their team asks: Will you still love me tomorrow? However, for many GAA fans it is their rivalries that guide them and define them. This unique book celebrates the age-old rivalries that have energised and enlivened the GAA.Based on exclusive interviews with a veritable Who's Who of the great and the good of Gaelic Games, here are remarkable insights into the controversies, epic matches and the thrilling events on and off the field which great GAA rivalries have generated.Full of arresting anecdotes that represent each county, these pages capture the extraordinary pride and passion of Ireland's greatest national treasures: Gaelic football, hurling, ladies football and camogie.John Scally is a lecturer in Trinity College, but in his spare time is a writer and broadcaster. Since 1992 he has written 40 books with cumulative sales of over 150,000 copies. He is the author of the biggest selling GAA book in Ireland, Raising the Banner:The Biography of Ger Loughnane, and for a few years his biography of Tony Ward was the biggest selling rugby book in Ireland.'Will bring back a treasure trove of great memories for GAA fans.'Cyril Farrell'There have been many rivalries through the decades and John Scally will navigate you through them as only he can, with great insight and knowledge and an unrivalled love for our native games.'Donal Ryan'Pulsates with the thrills and spills of epic contests, clashes and controversies. A must read book for GAA fans. It reminds us of who we are.'John O'Mahony

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Book SynopsisFor over 130 years the GAA has been at the heart of Irish life. Now, in The People’s Games, John Scally tells the compelling stories of the men and women behind the rich history of Gaelic Games.Since the introduction of television Gaelic Games have become a huge entertainment industry, yet at their core remain deeply embedded in the local community. They shape the national conversation and lift the mood of the country. Hurling, ladies’ football, camogie and Gaelic football are Ireland’s greatest national treasures.Gaelic Games are part of the DNA of the Irish Race, and the people are the beating heart of the Games. This comprehensive collection captures the GAA’s evolving history, the fabled heroes, the controversies, the scandals, the pulsating games, the fans, the centrality of the clubs, and the unending and heart-stopping drama.Full of fascinating insights, amusing anecdotes, thrilling tales and new revelations about famous incidents and epic encounters, this volume brings the people’s games alive in all their vibrancy. Based on exclusive interviews, this captivating compendium explores the rich history of the men and women of the GAA who made it all happen.Trade ReviewA book which captures the heart and soul of the GAA. * KIERAN DONAGHY *

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Book SynopsisThey are the chosen few who have drunk from the chalice of immortality. They are the men and women who have been part of the 100 GREAT GAA TEAMS.For GAA fans, our great teams bring colour and richness to our lives. When our team is on a winning streak it imbues us with a deep feeling of solidarity and a glow that uplifts the spirit. Great teams have that special power which energises and connects us. They inspire, make our hearts beat faster and let us dare to dream.All the great and the good are here: Jim Gavin's Dublin; Brian Cody's Kilkenny, Mick O'Dwyer's Kerry; Christy Ring's Cork; Seán Boylan's Meath; Ger Loughnane's Clare; Mickey Harte's Tyrone; Nicky Rackard's Wexford; Galway's three-in-row; Liam Sheedy's Tipperary; Mayo's team of the 50s and many more. 100 GREAT GAA TEAMS is a fantastic tribute to the great teams in football, hurling, camogie and ladies' football that have thrilled fans down the years.Trade ReviewThis book will evoke great memories for GAA fans. * MICHAEL DARRAGH MACAULEY *

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Book SynopsisThey are the chosen few who have drunk from the chalice of immortality. They are the men and women who have been part of the 101 GREAT GAA TEAMS.For GAA fans, our great teams bring colour and richness to our lives. When our team is on a winning streak it imbues us with a deep feeling of solidarity and a glow that uplifts the spirit. Great teams have that special power which energises and connects us. They inspire, make our hearts beat faster and let us dare to dream.All the great and the good are here: Jim Gavin's Dublin; Brian Cody's Kilkenny, Mick O'Dwyer's Kerry; Christy Ring's Cork; Seán Boylan's Meath; Ger Loughnane's Clare; Mickey Harte's Tyrone; Nicky Rackard's Wexford; Galway's three-in-row; Liam Sheedy's Tipperary; Mayo's team of the 50s and many more. 101 GREAT GAA TEAMS is a fantastic tribute to the great teams in football, hurling, camogie and ladies' football that have thrilled fans down the years.'A book which captures the heart and soul of the GAA' - Kieran Donaghy'This book will evoke great memories for GAA fans' - Jackie Tyrrell'This book is a long overdue tribute to great GAA teams' - Anthony DalyTrade Review'A book which captures the heart and soul of the GAA.' Kieran Donaghy 'This book is a long overdue tribute to great GAA teams.' Anthony Daly 'This book will evoke great memories for GAA fans.' Jackie Tyrrell

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Book SynopsisThis is the incredible story of how the GAA and its people managed to weather the coronavirus pandemic and re-emerge to fight another day. On St Patrick's Day 2020, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced that Ireland was locking down. Our lives, purpose and favourite pastime as Irish people - meeting each other - stopped overnight. Throughout that dark time, the GAA was at the centre of the country's fightback against covid-19. From the start, thousands of volunteers delivered food and medicine to vulnerable neighbours and friends during lockdown. Croke Park and other major stadia transformed into testing centres; the Association went online to keep people connected and became a beacon of hope. As the Association itself faced financial ruin, its members had their own life and death struggles to contend with. Niall Murphy, of Antrim GAA, was in a coma for sixteen days fighting the virus, and camogie player Marianne Walsh spent her cancer recovery amid strict lockdowns, only dreaming of one day playing for her club again. Hurler Domhnall Nugent battled intense isolation as he recovered from addiction issues. And when championships were shut down after celebrations threatened the association's reputation, uncertainty hung in the air. But through it all, GAA people rallied. Their stories, and the story of the GAA itself, now need to be told.Trade ReviewA terrific idea brought to beautifully intimate colour, exploring an extraordinary time in all our lives through the power of the GAA community. An absolute triumph. * Vincent Hogan, sports reporter, Irish Independent *A brilliant read. The stories in this book are a catalogue of resilience and the capacity of people to find ways to make the best of everything. Damian Lawlor uses his unparalleled network of connections across the GAA to document its Covid experience from new and fascinating perspectives. From extraordinary acts of kindness and decency to the pain of loss, this book tells vivid tales of how GAA members lived through a brutal pandemic. * Paul Rouse, Professor of History, UCD *Through compelling stories and varied perspectives, Lawlor uses his in-depth knowledge of the GAA at all levels to make real the impact of the pandemic on people, families and communities. He captures the human scale of its challenge and the impressive response of players, members, volunteers, clubs and the GAA leadership. The result is a rich, valuable and uniquely Irish account of this global health emergency. * Dr Tony Holohan, Former Chief Medical Officer of Ireland *Upon reading it, After the Storm has arrived at just the right remove from covid and how surreal those times were and how the GAA and its people survived and even thrived in them. We'd heard before of David Brady volunteering to call and talk to isolated strangers on the phone but not what they talked about - now we do. And never before of Marianne Walsh who spent her cancer recovery during the lockdown and within five months was back winning a county. Her story typifies this book: from the gloom there is gold. * Irish Examiner *

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Book Synopsis101 Great GAA Controversies is a collection of fascinating accounts from the field with appearances from some famous and infamous personalities, like Joe Brolly, Ger Loughnane, Pat Spillane and Babs Keating. With stories from the last 130 years, it is the major controversies that turn national games into our nationwide issues, often infuriating but never boring! Revealing insights into the Cork hurling strikes; Bloody Sunday; The Battle of Omagh; the Tony Keady affair; Louth's lost Leinster final; Kerry's undressing; the Sky Sports deal and of course the gripping events of the never to be forgotten hurling summer of 1998, this collection is bound to enthral all fans of Gaelic Games and might even settle a score or two. Including epic tales from Gaelic football, women's football, camogie and hurling, this book is sure to entertain fans of every GAA sport and continue the lore of the Gaelic Games.

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Book SynopsisOver the years, the GAA and its people have weathered many storms. But whenever there's a threat, this is when the GAA comes together to look after their own.AFTER THE STORM: How the GAA Found New Hope tells the story of the biggest and most recent threat we have faced, a global pandemic, and how the people of the GAA coped with a situation never seen before. These are stories of resilience and courage in the face of unknown odds, people helping each other as never before, and tales of loss, hope and the will to fight another day.Above all, this is the story of the life-and-death struggle for survival of the GAA and its people, and the incredible way they rallied and found new hope for the future.Trade ReviewA terrific idea brought to beautifully intimate colour, exploring an extraordinary time in all our lives through the power of the GAA community. An absolute triumph. * Vincent Hogan, sports reporter, Irish Independent *The stories in this book are a catalogue of resilience and the capacity of people to find ways to make the best of everything. Damian Lawlor uses his unparalleled network across the GAA to document its covid experience from new and fascinating perspectives. From extraordinary acts of kindness to the pain of loss, this book tells vivid tales of how GAA members lived through a brutal pandemic. * Paul Rouse, Professor of History, UCD *Lawlor uses his in-depth knowledge of the GAA to make real the impact of the pandemic on people, families and communities. He captures the human scale of its challenge and the impressive response of players, members, volunteers, clubs and the GAA leadership. The result is a rich and uniquely Irish account of this global health emergency. * Dr Tony Holohan, Former Chief Medical Officer of Ireland *

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Book SynopsisThis delightful book will be enjoyed and cherished by GAA fans old and young. - Dermot EarleyGaelic Games have a unique capacity to lift the spirits but they also have created many extraordinary moments. In the GAA world the truth is stranger than fiction and often funnier. This book celebrates the extraordinary moments in the GAA's long and distinguished history. Representing all counties, it features Gaelic football, hurling, ladies' football and camogie.Read about the star player who grabbed Ger Cunningham's balls; Seán Boylan's experience in the maternity ward; what happened when Pat Spillane took the DART; Ger Loughnane and the night life in Amsterdam; Paidí Ó'Sé and the tractor; the Galway icon who did not wear his socks; the Meath legend's love affair; Clare's sex scandal; the tender affection to a top pundit; the man who silenced Joe Brolly; the Dublin star who runs like a chicken; Garret Fitzgerald's

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Book SynopsisThis book tells the stories of some great GAA locations and the people linked with them.It includes obvious places like Croke Park, the Polo Grounds, Hayes's Hotel, Biddy Early's lake, the family, to less obvious places like, Fiji, East Belfast, Ellis Island, and an internment camp in Wales.We also visit the club: the unbroken chain in the GAA's ageless passing of wisdom before taking a bypass on the Boulevard of Broken Dreams to a barber's shop and a car park.Full of compelling revelations such as for the first time Jack Lynch's startling admission in his final interview of the big regret of his career; the GAA's first miracle; why Kevin Heffernan lost his temper with Bernard Brogan; why Liam Griffin was told he would become a laughing stock; the story of Limerick's gate-crasher and the day Seán Purcell rose from the dead.

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Book SynopsisThirteen year old Anna is struggling to cope with the recent loss of her father, when she discovers a forgotten gift from him - a pair of bright orange football socks. With the help of these brightly coloured good-luck charms, Anna slowly begins to gain confidence both on and off the pitch.

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Book SynopsisUpdated edition, now available in paperback. Hurling is skilful, exhilarating and has been part of Irish life for millennia. Breathtakingphotos, both on and off the pitch from the 1950s right up to the present day, capture the elation and despair, the blood, sweat and tears of a game that sometimes seems more like a battle than a sport.

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Book Synopsis

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