Kings for a Day

Rezensionen / Stimmen

A fine record of a really important All-Ireland



-- Michael Foley an important book ... do yourself a favour and trip down memory lane -- Belfast Telegraph the perfect way to relive it all -- Irish News Armagh's 2002 success has been well-documented, but McCoy's book delves deeper into the backstory and shines a light on some characters whose stories aren't as well-known -- Belfast Live Every now and then, something catches your attention, maybe just for a flickering moment, and transports you somewhere else entirely. I had the good fortune to experience this recently when reading a magnificent new book, which charts the rise and fall of one of Gaelic football's most iconic teams, who came along at a remarkable moment in time for the sport ... what a time it was. If the early '90s belonged to Ulster, the early noughties were every man's. Kildare, Westmeath and Laois were winning Leinster titles, Fermanagh were in an All-Ireland semi-final, Sam was crossing the Shannon. And, in the middle of it all, Armagh and Tyrone were winning their first All-Irelands at senior level. It was an era when, truly, any Gaelic footballer could aspire to being king for a day - and it is fitting, as stated, that this is the title chosen for this new book ... The author has done historians and Gaelic football followers in general a great service. Twenty years on seems like the optimum time to write a book like this -the protagonists are still around and their memories are still fresh yet enough distance has passed between then and now to provide perspective. Kings For A Day is a most welcome addition to the Gaelic games canon and should be read by every person with an interest in high performance sport, in building something from nothing and, especially, in Gaelic football in Ulster and beyond. As for that team and what they did it seems unlikely it will be replicated now. And that makes this story all the more striking' -- The Anglo Celt hugely informative yet entertaining book, Niall McCoy speaks to the main protagonists about their success including Oisin McConville, Joe Kernan, Jarlath Burns and the always amusing Benny Tierney. Yes, the games itself (including those blockbuster clashes against Tyrone and Kerry), are covered in great depth, but McCoy looks under the bonnet in what is the perfect stocking filler for anyone - not just the Armagh fan in your life - with an interest in Gaelic Football -- Gaelic Life terrific -- Irish Times terrific -- Irish News excellent -- Anglo Celt