Description

Book Synopsis
Liam O'Callaghan's revelatory Blood and Thunder shows that the rise of Irish rugby is inextricable from the tensions, debates and divisions of politics, religion and class that have defined modern Irish history. Despite the political partition of the island, Ireland competes at rugby internationally with an all-island team and with a bespoke anthem that nobody loves but everyone tolerates. Ireland has become a leading rugby nation despite its tiny population and the fact that the sport is only the fourth most popular team game on the island by participation. In Blood and Thunder, O'Callaghan traces the dramatic evolution whereby a rugby nation that was deeply attached to amateurism has made such a dramatic success of professionalism. From the sequence of events that led Ireland's private Catholic secondary schools to embrace rugby, to the controversies and crises that have shaken Irish rugby including the Northern Troubles, the Belfast rape trial, and the rising toll of head in

Blood And Thunder

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    A Hardback by Liam O’Callaghan

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      Book details

      Publisher Penguin Random House Group
      Imprint Penguin Books Ltd
      Published 9 May 2024
      ISBN-13 9781844886616
      978-1844886616
      ISBN-10 1844886611
      Also in:
      Social and cultural history

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      Liam O'Callaghan's revelatory Blood and Thunder shows that the rise of Irish rugby is inextricable from the tensions, debates and divisions of politics, religion and class that have defined modern Irish history. Despite the political partition of the island, Ireland competes at rugby internationally with an all-island team and with a bespoke anthem that nobody loves but everyone tolerates. Ireland has become a leading rugby nation despite its tiny population and the fact that the sport is only the fourth most popular team game on the island by participation. In Blood and Thunder, O'Callaghan traces the dramatic evolution whereby a rugby nation that was deeply attached to amateurism has made such a dramatic success of professionalism. From the sequence of events that led Ireland's private Catholic secondary schools to embrace rugby, to the controversies and crises that have shaken Irish rugby including the Northern Troubles, the Belfast rape trial, and the rising toll of head in

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