National Forum

Any Good GAA Books?

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "I read Tomás Ó Sé's 'The White heat' book recently, I didn't like it at all, half of it was rambling on about his uncle Paidi and it was all very repetitive.
One things for sure, not being able to beat Tyrone in Croke park in those big games in 03. 05 and 08 still rankles with them down in Kerry.
Biggest regret I have with Donegal is we didn't beat them in that '14 final, we played absolute rubbish that day,
still though that's sport, you have to do it on the day."
I thought Donegal played well in 2014 final. The mistake the goalie made in his poor kick out, resulting in Donaghy's goal, gifted the game to Kerry.

Ryanteam (Cork) - Posts: 373 - 31/12/2023 09:10:55    2517918

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Replying To dunaval_gael:  "Reading the one about the sports GAA grounds at present by Humphrey Kelleher. Enjoying it. Suppose being from the north neither realised how impressive pairc Caoimhe was. 101 grounds profiled. Some are basic enough with no stands at all."
Heard him on the radio, sounds like he was over ten years visiting grounds so should be packed full of information.

brisbane (Galway) - Posts: 675 - 03/01/2024 13:23:40    2518188

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There's one book I'd love to see out there and it's the King, Frank Mc Guigan. Don't know if he ever was approached to write one but for me it would be some read.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2150 - 05/01/2024 20:38:09    2518546

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Best GAA books I've read:

1. Liam Hayes' book 'Out of our Skins' is an astonishing book.

2. Jim McGuinness autobiography is brilliant. I'm a big fan of his and the story of his childhood tragedy and his first training sessions with Donegal u21 were extraordinary.

3. Paul Galvin's book is very underrated, beautifully written (he wrote it himself!).

Philly McMahon's book is good but only insofar as it relates to drug addiction and growing up in Ballymun. Didn't give too much away re Dublin setup or about his actions on the pitch (by all accounts his sledging and physicality went too far at times but no mention of this in his book, while likes of Liam Hayes tells you everything that happens on a pitch, even where it paints him or his team-mates in a bad light).

Crinigan (Meath) - Posts: 1352 - 13/01/2024 20:06:20    2520053

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Read Haye's book, the updated version, great read alright but looking back on comment at the time it didn't go down well with a lot of his peers.
Just looked back at those Meath V Cork games etc from the time and the 1991 All Ireland final v Down and that epic battle with Dublin in Leinster, they were some teams back then, some hits in it that would have fellas away to the side line now but them men got back on their feet and battled on.
It's sad to see the way Gaelic football has gone, it was far more entertaining back then, now it's all systems, work the ball to the shooters in the scoring zone, etc etc etc. fly goal keepers too.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3032 - 19/01/2024 19:03:16    2521023

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Replying To LongfordgaaAbú:  "I'm sure this book has been mentioned already but... 'Chasing Sam Maguire' by Colm Keys and Dermot Reilly is an excellent book. I highly recommend it. Was only released a few weeks ago."
Great recommendation and a brilliant read, pity there are no video recordings of those great games and players from years ago, amazing how some counties done so well away back then, the likes of Cavan and Louth etc.
it was the 60's before Donegal started making any inroads, Galway and Down had some mighty teams back then too and of course the ever present Kerry and Dublin powerhouses.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3032 - 06/03/2024 12:13:29    2530066

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Read Jackie tyrells book,, great hurler obviously but maybe not the greatest read.
For an 8 time all Ireland winner to dedicate 2/3 of his book to focusing on the 2016 season where he didn't play is just strange.
Also, he described the 2006 final against Cork as a tactical masterclass by Cody, whereas shefflin said in his book that once that game began the players forgot about tactics and just chased every ball.

Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1942 - 06/03/2024 20:39:40    2530131

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Early this year I released my own book called "Goal-den Days" and would be delighted if anyone wanted to support it. It's not exclusively a GAA book, but there is lots of GAA within, and suitable for anyone who grew up in the 80's. Lockjaw if you read this, I think it's write up your street based on your World Cup interest.



https://lettertecbookstore.com/product/goal-den-days/#:~:text=Filled%20with%20memories%20of%20glorious,wore%20Mikasa%20gloves%20to%20training.

Malonemagic (Laois) - Posts: 803 - 11/04/2024 13:08:21    2537327

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Replying To Malonemagic:  "Early this year I released my own book called "Goal-den Days" and would be delighted if anyone wanted to support it. It's not exclusively a GAA book, but there is lots of GAA within, and suitable for anyone who grew up in the 80's. Lockjaw if you read this, I think it's write up your street based on your World Cup interest.



https://lettertecbookstore.com/product/goal-den-days/#:~:text=Filled%20with%20memories%20of%20glorious,wore%20Mikasa%20gloves%20to%20training."
Sounds good…. Where can it be purchased..?

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3029 - 11/04/2024 14:22:00    2537343

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "Sounds good…. Where can it be purchased..?"
The link above should work.
It's on Lettertecbookstore.com. and also available from Allbooks.ie

Thank you.

Malonemagic (Laois) - Posts: 803 - 11/04/2024 15:04:31    2537355

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Kings of September is the best one I've read.

Biographies will become a chore as there are no characters really left in the game. At the highest level anyway.

eslinchickenmaryland (Leitrim) - Posts: 274 - 11/04/2024 15:43:42    2537361

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My top 5:
Kings of September
Sam's for the Hills
Last Man Standing
Cavan's Football Story
and save the best until last

Hurling, The Revolution Years.

FootblockREF (Monaghan) - Posts: 567 - 26/04/2024 14:29:06    2540770

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Will Galway Beat Mayo. A great look at the 1960s rivalry, a history of the West of Ireland and immigration etc.

JahTribe (Galway) - Posts: 155 - 26/04/2024 19:20:44    2540808

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Has any read O'Mahony: Keeping the Faith? Where could I buy it ? I can only find second hand books online

Kew (Galway) - Posts: 100 - 07/07/2024 14:54:23    2557395

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Almost no good GAA books published these days. Poorly Ghost written hagiographies and tired old anecdotes.

Try some of the classics like Brendán Ó hÉithir's Over the Bar.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3126 - 07/07/2024 20:49:43    2557528

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Replying To Fishermantom:  "Lads Just bought two books recently and I must say they were brilliant.
"There is an F in hurling" was the first one i finished and it was funny and really thought provoking in regards to the setting up of hurling in football only areas and the need for more clubs to appreciate both sports.
The second is "The Club" by Christy O' Connor which I haven't read fully yet but is a master class and alomost make the reader feel uneasy as he shows the ins and outs of his GAA club with unnerving honesty.
I would suggest ye read these if ye have an interest in GAA

DO ye have any suggestions for me in regards to old gems ye have read and maybe bogger profile books which I have not read.
The one book I cant read is Unlimited heart brake by henry Martin. Its too close to home and hurts too much.
Any suggestions appreciated"
One Sunday by Conor Mortimer is a mighty book, noteworthy for its detail and truthfulness.

giveitlong (Galway) - Posts: 1258 - 10/07/2024 15:46:28    2558226

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Any word of any new GAA autobiographies on the way?

hughieferm (Fermanagh) - Posts: 13 - 10/07/2024 16:12:42    2558230

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Replying To hughieferm:  "Any word of any new GAA autobiographies on the way?"
I'm hoping Seamus calllinnan brings one out but haven't heard anything

Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1942 - 10/07/2024 17:21:03    2558251

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Joe canning looks like he has one out

Kew (Galway) - Posts: 100 - 12/07/2024 10:56:47    2558514

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Replying To Kew:  "Joe canning looks like he has one out"
That would be interesting if the full story of the coup comes out and how MD dealt with the protagonists when he took over. As well of course if he goes into details about his own treatment.

I sincerely hope he has written it himself or at the very least dictated it as ghost written books are invariably dire and tame.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3126 - 12/07/2024 11:18:51    2558519

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