The Club-Christy O Connor

PARKHEAD67

Anyone else read this book? About a year in the life of the Doora-Barefield goalie Christy O Connor(Jamesie O Connors brother). Thought it was very well written.Would highly recommend.(Im not his publicist-from Clare alright but def not from Barefield:D)

MaxPower89

Half way through it so far, an excellent read I must say.

chinguetti

Got it as a Christmas present and read it in a day. Enjoyed it and would recommend it highly, not just as a sporting book but as a social insight into Ireland in relation to the Celtic Tiger and the rural/urban divide.

corcaighabu92

Has it been reprinted yet?? Sold out over Cork in the last week before Christmas!!

stevveyg

got a loan of it myself during the xmas and finished it within 2days, couldnt put it down. i really enjoyed it but as i only live up the road and could relate to alot of the lads in the book, maybe that was why.
Fair play to Christy for putting it together do, could not have been easy if everyone in club were not fully behind it.

djd80

I read it as well before Christmas and while I thought it was a good read and enjoyed it there wasn't anything hugely interesting or new in it I thought.

There are so many GAA books being released over the last few years, all saying a lot of the same thing, that it's turning me off them a little bit.

dcr22B

It's a savage read and I disagree with the previous poster's opinion about all the recent GAA releases being a bit samey.

phkk

Read the book in two days also,just could not leave it down. I thought it was a fantastic book, an extremely well written account of the difficulties facing GAA clubs throughout the country.. I could relate to all aspects of the book, from not getting numbers to our own training sessions, inept performances, team meetings which were thrashing out the same problems and like Doora,the same guys,the older guys were doing all the talking.. The attitude, the indifference of younger players- we just can't get them to show the same desire,passion,sacrifices,commitment that some of us went through to bring siverware back to the parish..lack of underage success which impinges on our senior team..the drinking culture which is omni-present.. the cliques,threats,retirements,tragedies etc.. Really was about any club in any county in Ireland. Well done Christy and on another note,well done on contributing half te royalties to your two chosen charities

penexpers

Bought it for the Kindle this morning. Only a few chapters in but a very good read so far.

JC3

Am I the only one that was disappointed by this book? I felt that it was an insight into a club that were living on a past victory and by so doing alienating their young players. There was constant reference to comparing games, teams and players to the great ones of '99. If you want to set a club backwards that's the way to do it. Past victories should be respected for what they were but should not be used as a weapon against the here and now. In that, I feel Christy did the opposite of what he may have intended with this book. Anyone agree?

fearruanua

well said phkk. a great read

phkk

fearruanua wrote: »

well said phkk. a great read

cheers fearruanua,did you finish it?

fearruanua

half way through it.

cremeegg

they love the hurling in doora barefield thats for sure. finished reading in 2 hours. could be any club really. although they are living in the past thats for sure.

rpurfield

ordered it christmas eve off amazon and still waiting for it.everyone is raving about it so im really looking forward to it if it ever gets here

wackjob

read it yesterday and really enjoyed it.



From a distance you have to question why we put so much time as adults into playing hurling at the standard that is being attempted.
Really get the sense that many young men &women’s lives are being wasted including Christy by this slavish and unquestioning devotion to the “The Club".



No real philosophy being communicated other that loyalty to parish, place, preservation of the past and comrades in arms. Comrades but no real cause other than the end in itself of winning & losing.



Its modern yet nostalgic, ageing stars who are at the end and are trying to pull leadership and enthusiasm for generation X who clearly have different priorities and world view. Sense that the country has changes so quickly even in a playing generation.



You can’t help put feeling that the clubs and the unrealistic demands are driving the members away , got the feeling when reading it that they were heading the way of the church. Ageing zealots who are not connecting with younger people anymore, real social and lifestyle tug of war going on.

MrJoeSoap

Getting towards the end of it and it is a fantastic read, highly recommended for hurling fans (especially those from the Banner) and GAA fans in general. If anyone has read it, but hasn't read Last Man Standing, that is also well worth a read.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Man-Standing-Hurling-Goalkeepers/dp/0862789222/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1316634487&sr=8-7

DublinGAA96

Read this book a few months back. I had very high expectations for it but unfortunately it didnt live up to them. I enjoyed it up to the stage where I felt he talks too much about the negatives that have happened to the team and how he kept dwelling on the past. I just didnt think it was of no relevance talking about the team of the 90's. I enjoyed the fact it showed what its like playing for a club the passion etc.