Stars on show at launch of Cork Football: Game of My Life

Michael Foley, chief sportswriter with The Sunday Times, did the honours as Cork Football: Game of My Life was launched at Bandon Books Plus last week.

Written by The Echo’s Denis Hurley, the book features 25 former Cork players choosing a significant game from their time in red and white as well as reminiscing about their careers in general. Put side-by-side, the stories serve to form an oral history of Cork football from the mid-1960s up to the present day, taking in the successes and the disappointments along the way.

Killavullen native Foley – the author of the acclaimed Kings of September, about Offaly’s 1982 All-Ireland SFC final win over Kerry, and the Bloodied Field and The Children of Croke Park, which focus on Bloody Sunday 1920 – expressed his pleasure at being asked to launch the book, especially in the presence of so many men who were and are heroes to him as a Cork football fan.

He highlighted the indomitable spirit associated with Cork football and the passion it inspires in those who are dedicated to the cause on the field and in the stands. He congratulated Denis Hurley on pulling together the tales across more than a half-century, noting that he knew exactly how daunting such a project could be. “There are, what, a thousand books around us here?” he said, pointing to the packed shelves. “I see a thousand nervous breakdowns.”

Store owner Gerry Fitzgerald – native of Fossa, Co. Kerry but ensconced in Cork for three decades – welcomed all present and gave thanks to the author for choosing the premises for the occasion. He passed on the apologies of publisher Liam Hayes of Hero Books, who could not be in attendance – Gerry also noted that former Meath footballer Hayes had won two All-Irelands, in 1987 and 1988, but neither of them were achieved against Kerry.

Denis Hurley thanked Messrs Foley, Fitzgerald and Hayes, as well as the players who had so generously given their time and been so honest in their answers. “Even those who had great days with Cork had to endure tough ones, but that’s what made success all the sweeter,” he said.

“When Cork won the All-Ireland in 2010, [manager] Conor Counihan was interviewed on the field afterwards.

“It would be easy to get carried away with emotion in that moment but instead, he said he hoped that other counties could be inspired by Cork and know that failure is only fuel for success.

“That’s a lesson to live by in sport but it’s also one to live by in life.”

Thanking those who had found the time to attend on a busy evening in the run-up to Christmas, Denis also paid tribute to his friends, those present and those who sadly were no longer with us. He also acknowledged the role played his family, not least his wife Jessica, whose patience and support had allowed him to get the project finished.

Their two sons, Johnny and Aaron, were in attendance in their Cork jerseys. Perhaps they might feature in the second volume.

The 25 players included are: Con ‘Paddy’ O’Sullivan, Billy Morgan, John Coleman, Tadhg Murphy, John Cleary, Colman Corrigan, Conor Counihan, Paul McGrath, Dinny Allen, Tony Davis, Larry Tompkins, Niall Cahalane, Joe Kavanagh, Ciarán O’Sullivan, Kevin O’Dwyer, Nicholas Murphy, Micheál O’Sullivan, Pearse O’Neill, Patrick Kelly, Derek Kavanagh, Paul Kerrigan, Graham Canty, Daniel Goulding, Mark Collins, Ian Maguire.

· Cork Football: Game of My Life, published by Hero Books, is now available in stores and online