John Scally – författare

The lore and legend of Gaelic Games has been shaped by great players. Since the Games began, special players have had a unique power to make the heart skip a beat. Now THE GAA IMMORTALS celebrates the achievements of 100 of the very bestfootballers, hurlers, managers, ladies footballers and camogie players from the start of the twentieth century to the present day.Based around exclusive interviews with a who’s who of Gaelic Games, THE GAA IMMORTALS covers all the codes, giving a unique insight into icons of the games, including Dick Fitzgerald, Mick Mackey, Christy Ring, Jack Lynch, Nicky Rackard, Mick O’Connell, Seán O’Neill, Eddie Keher, Jimmy Barry-Murphy, Angela Downey, Lulu Carroll, Nicky English, DJ Carey, Peter Canavan, Henry Shefflin, Gooch Cooper and Joe Canning.With stars from all 32 counties represented, THE GAA IMMORTALS is a fascinating account of the greatest heroes and legends of the games.

In its long and rich history the GAA has provided many great moments. This book is a celebration of one hundred of the best of them: the Thunder and Lightning Final; the Polo Grounds Final; Seamus Darby's goal in 1982; the epic clashes between Dublin and Meath in 1991; Leitrim's Connacht title in 1994; Clare ending 81 years in the wilderness; Wexford becoming home to `the Riverdance of Sport' and the GAA opening up Croke Park to other sports. These moments and many more are featured in these pages. Every county is included.Based on exclusive interviews as seen through the eyes of the key personalities who shaped them, it goes behind the scenes and offers unique eyewitness accounts of the dramas on and off the pitch that captivated, enthralled and occasionally infuriated the nation. New light is shed on old controversies, fresh insights into the players and personalities that linger long in the memory are provided, and the epic contests that turned the national games into the national soap opera are recounted by the men and women who were there in the heat of the battles.

Gaelic Games are the focus of endless debate and speculation, set the mood of Monday's post-match workplace and dominate pub-talk. For many of us, life and death run second to major GAA events. Blood, Sweat, Triumph & Tears looks back at some of the best moments from the sporting nation's favourite soap opera. It pays homage to the great players and people in Gaelic football, hurling, ladies' football and camogie. And it glories in the classic victories and thrilling contests witnessed down the decades. Based on exclusive interviews with the greatest personalities in the GAA's rich history, and covering every county in Ireland, here is a unique insight into the passion and politics, the controversies and crises, the wisdom and wit and all the highs and lows of Ireland's national treasure. Full of entertaining anecdotes, inspirational incidents and epic encounters, Blood, Sweat, Triumph & Tears truly captures the magic of the GAA. 'A book to shorten the long winter nights for any GAA fan.' DERMOT EARLEY, Kildare legend'Will bring back great memories for lovers of Gaelic Games.' KAROL MANNION

Fans always answer in the affirmative when their team asks: Will you still love me tomorrow? However, for many GAA fans it is their rivalries that guide them and define them. This unique book celebrates the age-old rivalries that have energised and enlivened the GAA.Based on exclusive interviews with a veritable Who's Who of the great and the good of Gaelic Games, here are remarkable insights into the controversies, epic matches and the thrilling events on and off the field which great GAA rivalries have generated.Full of arresting anecdotes that represent each county, these pages capture the extraordinary pride and passion of Ireland's greatest national treasures: Gaelic football, hurling, ladies football and camogie.John Scally is a lecturer in Trinity College, but in his spare time is a writer and broadcaster. Since 1992 he has written 40 books with cumulative sales of over 150,000 copies. He is the author of the biggest selling GAA book in Ireland, Raising the Banner:The Biography of Ger Loughnane, and for a few years his biography of Tony Ward was the biggest selling rugby book in Ireland.'Will bring back a treasure trove of great memories for GAA fans.'Cyril Farrell'There have been many rivalries through the decades and John Scally will navigate you through them as only he can, with great insight and knowledge and an unrivalled love for our native games.'Donal Ryan'Pulsates with the thrills and spills of epic contests, clashes and controversies. A must read book for GAA fans. It reminds us of who we are.'John O'Mahony

Long before the terms ‘mindfulness’ and ‘well-being’ were coined, the Celtic tradition offered pathways to peace of mind and calm. For centuries it has created hope, unity and a community – a sanctuary of rest, renewal and reassurance. In these troubled times, the importance of connection, and a sanctuary, is stronger than ever.Drawing on the wisdom, stories, poetry, prayers and humour that are at the heart of the Celtic tradition, Inspiration for All Seasons reminds us of where we come from and brings comfort when it is badly needed. With contributions from individuals such as Peter McVerry and Mark Patrick Hederman, and a tribute to the late, great John O’Donohue, this book shines a light in the darkness.ALL ROYALTIES FROM THIS BOOK WILL GO TO THE PETER McVERRY TRUST

'It's a funny old game.' - JIMMY GREAVESFrom golden balls to golden balls-ups, this kit bag of double entendres, outrageous quips and quotes is guaranteed to tickle your funny bone. A must for all Man Utd fans.'SIMPLY RED captures many of the laughs associated with Manchester United.' - KEN DOHERTY'A must-read not just for United fans, but for every football fan out there!' - SIMON DELANEY

'I stood up. A miracle had happened. I could walk. It was as if I was born again.'With a heart full of prayer, Marion Carroll journeyed to Knock in the west of Ireland. For 17 years, Multiple Sclerosis had ravaged her body so utterly that this reluctant pilgrim travelled on a stretcher. Then, at the Mass, an unimaginable miracle. Marion rose, pain-free, to walk, talk and see once more.Thanks to this wondrous blessing, Marion has transformed – in her 'own small way' – the lives of countless others. Her ministries share her rock-like faith and devotion to God. They testify to the power of ordinary people to listen, to care, to inspire.Nearly 30 years later, the Catholic Church officially recognised Marion's cure as a proclaimed miracle. Here, with warmth, grace, humility – and down-to-earth Irish humour – she tells of her life 'before' and 'after'. Marion's powerful, uplifting story is unique. It shines a light on love, hope and a remarkable relationship with God.

For over 130 years the GAA has been at the heart of Irish life. Now, in The People’s Games, John Scally tells the compelling stories of the men and women behind the rich history of Gaelic Games.Since the introduction of television Gaelic Games have become a huge entertainment industry, yet at their core remain deeply embedded in the local community. They shape the national conversation and lift the mood of the country. Hurling, ladies’ football, camogie and Gaelic football are Ireland’s greatest national treasures.Gaelic Games are part of the DNA of the Irish Race, and the people are the beating heart of the Games. This comprehensive collection captures the GAA’s evolving history, the fabled heroes, the controversies, the scandals, the pulsating games, the fans, the centrality of the clubs, and the unending and heart-stopping drama.Full of fascinating insights, amusing anecdotes, thrilling tales and new revelations about famous incidents and epic encounters, this volume brings the people’s games alive in all their vibrancy. Based on exclusive interviews, this captivating compendium explores the rich history of the men and women of the GAA who made it all happen.

'It's a funny old game.' - JIMMY GREAVESFrom golden balls to golden balls-ups, this kit bag of double entendres, outrageous quips and quotes is guaranteed to tickle your funny bone. A must for all Man Utd fans.'SIMPLY RED captures many of the laughs associated with Manchester United.' - KEN DOHERTY'A must-read not just for United fans, but for every football fan out there!' - SIMON DELANEY

They are the chosen few who have drunk from the chalice of immortality. They are the men and women who have been part of the 101 GREAT GAA TEAMS.For GAA fans, our great teams bring colour and richness to our lives. When our team is on a winning streak it imbues us with a deep feeling of solidarity and a glow that uplifts the spirit. Great teams have that special power which energises and connects us. They inspire, make our hearts beat faster and let us dare to dream.All the great and the good are here: Jim Gavin's Dublin; Brian Cody's Kilkenny, Mick O'Dwyer's Kerry; Christy Ring's Cork; Seán Boylan's Meath; Ger Loughnane's Clare; Mickey Harte's Tyrone; Nicky Rackard's Wexford; Galway's three-in-row; Liam Sheedy's Tipperary; Mayo's team of the 50s and many more. 101 GREAT GAA TEAMS is a fantastic tribute to the great teams in football, hurling, camogie and ladies' football that have thrilled fans down the years.'A book which captures the heart and soul of the GAA' - Kieran Donaghy'This book will evoke great memories for GAA fans' - Jackie Tyrrell'This book is a long overdue tribute to great GAA teams' - Anthony Daly

101 Great GAA Controversies is a collection of fascinating accounts from the field with appearances from some famous and infamous personalities, like Joe Brolly, Ger Loughnane, Pat Spillane and Babs Keating. With stories from the last 130 years, it is the major controversies that turn national games into our nationwide issues, often infuriating but never boring! Revealing insights into the Cork hurling strikes; Bloody Sunday; The Battle of Omagh; the Tony Keady affair; Louth's lost Leinster final; Kerry's undressing; the Sky Sports deal and of course the gripping events of the never to be forgotten hurling summer of 1998, this collection is bound to enthral all fans of Gaelic Games and might even settle a score or two. Including epic tales from Gaelic football, women's football, camogie and hurling, this book is sure to entertain fans of every GAA sport and continue the lore of the Gaelic Games.

Irish rugby's most hilarious and outrageous moments101 Funny Irish Rugby Moments is a collection of priceless anecdotes from the field, with interviews from Moss Keane, Mick Galwey, Peter Clohessy and plenty more, plus a foreword by the legendary Tony Ward.From Lansdowne Road to Thomond Park, from Connacht to Ulster and Leeside to the Lions, these are some of the most unexpected tales of Irish rugby legends, like when . . .- BRIAN O'DRISCOLL HOSTED A BOND GIRL- PAUL O'CONNELL MET PRINCE WILLIAM- RORY BEST TURNED INTO SLEEPING BEAUTY- AND JAMES LOWE MADE A STRANGE REQUEST OF THE GARDAÍThis book offers a unique glimpse into the funniest moments that have happened on and off the pitch with some of rugby's greatest characters.

This delightful book will be enjoyed and cherished by GAA fans old and young. - Dermot EarleyGaelic Games have a unique capacity to lift the spirits but they also have created many extraordinary moments. In the GAA world the truth is stranger than fiction and often funnier. This book celebrates the extraordinary moments in the GAA's long and distinguished history. Representing all counties, it features Gaelic football, hurling, ladies' football and camogie.Read about the star player who grabbed Ger Cunningham's balls; Seán Boylan's experience in the maternity ward; what happened when Pat Spillane took the DART; Ger Loughnane and the night life in Amsterdam; Paidí Ó'Sé and the tractor; the Galway icon who did not wear his socks; the Meath legend's love affair; Clare's sex scandal; the tender affection to a top pundit; the man who silenced Joe Brolly; the Dublin star who runs like a chicken; Garret Fitzgerald's flirtation with hurling; Jack Lynch's inspiration; and the GAA and Lady Diana.An uplifting must-read for all sports fans and lovers of Gaelic Games.

This delightful book will be enjoyed and cherished by GAA fans old and young. - Dermot EarleyGaelic Games have a unique capacity to lift the spirits but they also have created many extraordinary moments. In the GAA world the truth is stranger than fiction and often funnier. This book celebrates the extraordinary moments in the GAA's long and distinguished history. Representing all counties, it features Gaelic football, hurling, ladies' football and camogie.Read about the star player who grabbed Ger Cunningham's balls; Seán Boylan's experience in the maternity ward; what happened when Pat Spillane took the DART; Ger Loughnane and the night life in Amsterdam; Paidí Ó'Sé and the tractor; the Galway icon who did not wear his socks; the Meath legend's love affair; Clare's sex scandal; the tender affection to a top pundit; the man who silenced Joe Brolly; the Dublin star who runs like a chicken; Garret Fitzgerald's flirtation with hurling; Jack Lynch's inspiration; and the GAA and Lady Diana.An uplifting must-read for all sports fans and lovers of Gaelic Games.

As we mark the 140th anniversary of the founding of the GAA, this book is a celebration of the greatest treasure in its long and illustrious history: its people. In a fast-changing world, the GAA has given us a fixed point in our lives and Gaelic games have given us so many truly extraordinary people.Each of their unique stories in some way offers a revealing snapshot of the GAA, as we salute the great and the good of Gaelic football, ladies' football, camogie and hurling - along with some less obvious and surprising choices - featuring John B. Keane, Rena Buckley, Brian Cody, Eamonn Cregan, Brian D'Arcy, Mickey Harte, the 2 Johnnies, Shane Lowry, Paul Mescal, John O'Donohue, Martin O'Neill, Hannah Tyrell and many more.And with fascinating revelations like Séamus Mallon's personal memory of the Good Friday Agreement, the superstar who kneeled before Jimmy Magee, John O'Mahony's late evening and Ger Loughnane's big regret, this is the perfect way to celebrate the extraordinary people of the GAA.

'A must-read. Mighty craic. Different class.' BRIAN D'ARCYA celebration of the greatest treasure in GAA's long and illustrious history: ITS PEOPLE.In a fast-changing world, the GAA has given us a fixed point in our lives and Gaelic games have given us so many truly extraordinary people.Each of their unique stories in some way offers a revealing snapshot of the GAA, as we salute the great and the good of Gaelic football, women's football, camogie and hurling - along with some less obvious and surprising choices.And with fascinating revelations like Séamus Mallon's personal memory of the Good Friday Agreement, the superstar who kneeled before Jimmy Magee, John O'Mahony's late evening and Ger Loughnane's big regret, this revised and updated edition of Extraordinary GAA People is the perfect way to celebrate the extraordinary people of the GAA.

Here are Irish Rugby's most legendary, celebratory and brilliant moments from the 1940s to today.110 Great Irish Rugby Moments is a unique celebration of the sport's most significant moments. Featuring:- Grand Slam Glory for both Irish Men and Women. - A first Series win in New Zealand. - A drawn Series in South Africa. - European glory for Ulster, Munster and Leinster. - Connacht winning the Pro 12. - Ireland women achieve double defeat of mighty New Zealand.These epic moments are based on exclusive interviews with the game's biggest stars and most colourful personalities including Fiona Coghlan, Peter Clohessy, Ciaran Fitzgerald, Willie John McBride, Brian O'Driscoll, Ronan O'Gara and many more of the great and good of Irish Rugby. Enjoy a host of brilliant anecdotes and remarkable insights into the controversies, epic matches, thrilling contests and pivotal events on and off the field which shaped these 110 GREAT IRISH RUGBY MOMENTS.'This is an informative, insightful and impressive account of Irish rugby's greatest moments from the pre Jack Kyle epoch to the post Johnny Sexton era. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.' Ollie Campbell

This book tells the stories of some great GAA locations and the people linked with them.It includes obvious places like Croke Park, the Polo Grounds, Hayes's Hotel, Biddy Early's lake, the family, to less obvious places like, Fiji, East Belfast, Ellis Island, and an internment camp in Wales.We also visit the club: the unbroken chain in the GAA's ageless passing of wisdom before taking a bypass on the Boulevard of Broken Dreams to a barber's shop and a car park.Full of compelling revelations such as for the first time Jack Lynch's startling admission in his final interview of the big regret of his career; the GAA's first miracle; why Kevin Heffernan lost his temper with Bernard Brogan; why Liam Griffin was told he would become a laughing stock; the story of Limerick's gate-crasher and the day Seán Purcell rose from the dead.

This book tells the stories of some great GAA locations and the people linked with them.It includes obvious places like Croke Park, the Polo Grounds, Hayes's Hotel, Biddy Early's lake, the family, to less obvious places like, Fiji, East Belfast, Ellis Island, and an internment camp in Wales.We also visit the club: the unbroken chain in the GAA's ageless passing of wisdom before taking a bypass on the Boulevard of Broken Dreams to a barber's shop and a car park.Full of compelling revelations such as for the first time Jack Lynch's startling admission in his final interview of the big regret of his career; the GAA's first miracle; why Kevin Heffernan lost his temper with Bernard Brogan; why Liam Griffin was told he would become a laughing stock; the story of Limerick's gate-crasher and the day Seán Purcell rose from the dead.

This official IRFU story of Irish rugby marks the union’s 150-year anniversary and considers the scaffolding that upholds Irish rugby today: the provinces, the clubs, the schools and the underage structure.Featuring interviews with a who’s who of Irish rugby including Ollie Campbell, Peter Clohessy, Fiona Coghlan, Ciaran Fitzgerald, Jack Kyle, Paul O’Connell, Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara, Tony O’Reilly, Joe Schmidt, Fiona Steed and Tony Ward, it shows that perhaps the greatest service that Irish rugby has given the island over the last 150 years is to be a very rare unifying force. In our history, where a ‘them’ and ‘us’ mentality has been such a recurring feature, rugby has offered an alternative vision and showcased a different path towards creating the harmony of ‘the four proud provinces of Ireland’.Beautifully illustrated with over 150 photographs from INPHO photographic agency, it captures the richness of the story of Irish rugby.