It was probably some time in late August during the course of a telephone conversation that the person on the other line mentioned a forthcoming ‘fly on the wall’ book on Waterford football. My first impressions were, that while it would be one for my own massive collection, thousands of others might not bother. As time moved on, Damian Lawlor’s name was mooted, the man who had written Liam Dunne’s story and written it well. All of a sudden, serious credibility came into vogue. The days of historical accounts are gone. Books are appearing on the shelves by the new time. The bar has been raised significantly and the public demand a better product. Direct quotations from the people that matter relating are what the public want. Lawlor has delivered this.

Back in my UL days, a lad in my course, Barry Power from Tramore, went in with for a couple of training sessions with the under 21s expecting to be a sub. The morning after the team was named, I asked what the story was. ‘I’m centre back’ he said. He was stunned and felt that if he was to sneak onto the team it might be as a corner back. Waterford obviously didn’t do long term apprenticeships in the pivotal No. 6 jersey. There are plenty of examples of similar occurrences in the book, men entrusted with jerseys born out of necessity. Damian Lawlor quantifies the struggles they face and the realities that the intercounty arena isn’t necessarily all about strikes, 5 star hotel breaks and playing in front of full houses.

There are probably some of the Waterford panel who may not have been interviewed for a newspaper before, let alone a book. In fact, based on the book, the attendances at training compare to what might attend a club training session. There are some classic tales. For instance where the driver of the team bus spent the day collecting players at different destinations around Waterford for an away league trip to Dundalk. The taxi service around Waterford meant that he had his tacograph hours clocked up by the time they reached South Kildare, and he insisted on pulling in for a break for a couple of hours. Would it happen the Cork hurlers? Would it even happen the Knockane Junior B hurlers? Then there are the tales of woe from those who served their time with the hurlers, hopeful of a central role, but never achieving fulfilment. The footballers needed them on the field, more than the hurlers needed them on the bench and they answered the call.

And what of John ‘Jackson’ Kiely, the man nobody knew of prior to the live TV game with Kerry a couple of years ago. Such is the stock with which his fame has risen, a couple of guest appearances on ‘The Sunday Game’ wouldn’t go astray, purely as a timely reminder that grass roots football isn’t all about suits and fancy twangs. I met him in person just hours before writing this article, and a more passionate football man doesn’t exist.

The problem in this country is that when we get notions that we are going places, image becomes important. Twangs and dress sense take over. A suit boss in the English Premiership is often regarded more highly than a tracksuit boss. That mentality is creeping into Ireland. However, football knowledge is more powerful than any twang and the word from those who know him is that Kiely has serious football knowledge. The reason Waterford footballers are where they are is because a chunk of the cream of football talent in the county are hurlers. They reason that Waterford are there or thereabouts in terms of promotion is down to John Kiely. However, he has sadly been discarded for making the best from what he had.

Damien Lawlor can take great credit for bringing a true-life story into the public domain. This is how life is in many counties. There aren’t too many jersey girls at Waterford football games nor are there many autograph hunters. But to paraphrase Brian Cody, there is a spirit. Lawlor has re-enacted that spirit within the covers of a book and spread the gospel.

It is an excellent insight into what typifies non-Hollywood GAA in Ireland. There are a lot of books on the shelves this Christmas, many by leading names. However, there are very few legacies.

This is a legacy to what Waterford football stands for.

Add it to your Christmas wish list.

Linked article:Working on a dream by Damian Lawlor


All in a huddle... 'Jackson' Kiely and the Waterford footballers