Good GAA books

dixiefly

Has anyone got any recommendations for GAA related books from recent years?

Thanks

NIMAN

Haven't read it myself, but bought this for a family member a few Xmas's ago, and was told it was a good read

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Club-Christy-OConnor/dp/014139966X/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1480583495&sr=1-5&keywords=the+club

Hesh's Umpire

Paul Galvin's book was good - I've heard no great reviews of this years books, Ken McGrath, Kieran Donaghy and Cathal McCarron.

keeponhurling

I read Shane Curran's and Paul Galvin's in recent times, both very readable.

The book by McCarron from Tyrone sounds interesting, although haven't got my hands on a copy yet.

Bonniedog

Older books but Denis Walsh's "Hurling: The Revolution Years" and Sweeney's "Life Long Season" (?) are good.

there are a lot of really bad pseudo autobiographies including the Corbett and Cody books.

Hesh's Umpire

Bonniedog wrote: »

Older books but Denis Walsh's "Hurling: The Revolution Years" and Sweeney's "Life Long Season" (?) are good.

there are a lot of really bad pseudo autobiographies including the Corbett and Cody books.

The two you've mentioned there would put you to sleep. Cody's in particular. At least Corbett's had a few stories. I would have expected Micky Harte's to be better than it was too.

In another sport, I can honestly say I've read (well, attempted to read) anything worse than Robbie Keane's autobiography.

big_drive

I've read both Donaghy and mcgraths

Both very good I thought, I enjoyed ken mcgraths slightly more

buck65

Last man standing by Christy O Connor from a few years back was outstanding, a book from the goalkeepers POV but alot more detailed and less PC than most sterile GAA books.
He also wrote The Club as mentioned before but Last man standing is far superior.

Bonniedog

Hesh's Umpire wrote: »

The two you've mentioned there would put you to sleep. Cody's in particular. At least Corbett's had a few stories. I would have expected Micky Harte's to be better than it was too.

In another sport, I can honestly say I've read (well, attempted to read) anything worse than Robbie Keane's autobiography.

I'd say the real Cody book be some read, but the ghosted one was about as exciting as watching Arsenal and Chelsea.


I suppose people have to be "diplomatic" in what they say. Lar's book was another borefest. He should have let his Da write it. That be some crack, and lead to a few court cases

ford2600

buck65 wrote: »

Last man standing by Christy O Connor from a few years back was outstanding, a book from the goalkeepers POV but alot more detailed and less PC than most sterile GAA books.
He also wrote The Club as mentioned before but Last man standing is far superior.

I really enjoyed the two of those; had been a big admirer of that Clare team and knew McMahon which might have helped me get more out of it.

The Dublin Kerry Football rivalry written by he who disappeared from public life is actually a great read.

Bonniedog

ford2600 wrote: »

The Dublin Kerry Football rivalry written by he who disappeared from public life is actually a great read.

I was going to mention that one! He was good writer. Not such a good person. Anyway...

Daly's book is not bad.

Breandán O hEíthír's Over the Bar is great book. Mostly about Galway years ago but also great social history and he was great writer.

zetecescort

thought that both The GAA – A People's History and The GAA – County by County were very good with some great photos too.

Hurling - The Warrior game by Diarmuid O'Flynn is good too. Speaks to 2 or 3 in each position asking them for advice on playing their position, why they preferred it etc.

The Bloodied Field by Michael Foley is about Bloody Sunday and events before and after it

Bonniedog

zetecescort wrote: »

thought that both The GAA – A People's History and The GAA – County by County were very good with some great photos too.

Hurling - The Warrior game by Diarmuid O'Flynn is good too. Speaks to 2 or 3 in each position asking them for advice on playing their position, why they preferred it etc.

The Bloodied Field by Michael Foley is about Bloody Sunday and events before and after it

I have a quote in the County history book. I shall say no more!

Nidgeweasel

Jim McGuinness' book is excellent. Sports book of the year at the Irish book awards.

blue note

I hear the cathal mccarron book is an interesting read. I wouldn't want to give that man my money though to be honest.

dixiefly

Thanks everyone

ford2600

dixiefly wrote: »

Thanks everyone

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7037817-working-on-a-dream

different

https://www.balls.ie/gaa/poll-vote-best-gaa-book-ever/163177

few new suggestions here

buck65

Actually some of Humphries journalism books were excellent too.

Bonniedog

buck65 wrote: »

Actually some of Humphries journalism books were excellent too.

He was a good writer. Doesn't really compensate all the same.

zetecescort

looks like some great photos in this book. http://gaelicfields.com/

djPSB

blue note wrote: »

I hear the cathal mccarron book is an interesting read. I wouldn't want to give that man my money though to be honest.

Same.

Newstalk had a top class interview with him last week. Gave him a good grilling.

SteakandKidney

buck65 wrote:

Actually some of Humphries journalism books were excellent too.

Speaking from a purely literary point of view I'm not sure there he has an equal in terms of journalism in the irish or British Isles. I remember reading a section of David Walsh's seven deadly sins book where he mentions being in the company of humpries and Kimmage and he when speaking of tom says something along the lines of ' his wit made us laugh, his brilliance made us humble '. Although strictly not gaa his year in the life book on journalism ' laptop mango and nine goat dancing ' is a great read. There is a particular chapter on salt lake city which is one of the funniest pieces of observational journalism I have ever read. His locker room section on a Monday when on the money was fantastic.

Hesh's Umpire

SteakandKidney wrote: »

Speaking from a purely literary point of view I'm not sure there he has an equal in terms of journalism in the irish or British Isles. I remember reading a section of David Walsh's seven deadly sins book where he mentions being in the company of humpries and Kimmage and he when speaking of tom says something along the lines of ' his wit made us laugh, his brilliance made us humble '. Although strictly not gaa his year in the life book on journalism ' laptop mango and nine goat dancing ' is a great read. There is a particular chapter on salt lake city which is one of the funniest pieces of observational journalism I have ever read. His locker room section on a Monday when on the money was fantastic.

Agreed but it's actually kinda hard to re-read anything he wrote now without the other stuff hanging over it in the background.

Kerrydude1981

Liam Dunnes book isnt a bad read

De Bhál

I'm almost finished Ken McGrath's book. Anyone with any interest in hurling, especially in the decade from 2000 on, should read it.
Some good stories and a look back at a real roller coaster of a time for Waterford hurling.

Nidgeweasel

Is Jack O Connor's book any use?

ahlookit

Keith Duggan - House of Pain - about Mayo's All Ireland defeats is an excellent read. Must be nearly time for him to re-release it with a few new chapters.

http://www.kennys.ie/house-of-pain-5.html