It’s not often that two books of the same name are published within months of each other, particularly regarding GAA matters. However given their choice of ‘Lest We Forget’ both John Arnold of Bride Rovers in Cork and Brendan Fullam appear to have been of like mind when putting pen to paper. That said, the sub headings are somewhat different, Fullam opting for ‘Gems of Gaelic Games and Those Who Made Them’ and Arnold choosing ‘A Journey of GAA Remembrance’.

‘Lest We Forget’ by John Arnold is a detailed account of the founding fathers of the GAA. Joseph Kevin Bracken of Templemore and Kilmallock, Maurice Davin and Joseph Patrick Ryan both of Carrick-on-Suir, Michael Cusack of Carron, Co Clare, John McKay of Cargagh Co Down, Thomas St George McCarthy from Bansha Co Tipperary, and John Wyse Power from Knockhouse Co Waterford.

It’s also a tale of his involvement in the Croke Park National Awards and Presentations Committee, of which some of his duties were to recover and restore the headstones of the seven founding fathers. That very same Committee also made the controversial decision to force the crowds back into the stands and present the cup on the field after All Ireland finals.

There are a lot of establishment men on these committees and to be fair to Arnold, as he outlines in the book, he was a firm supporter of Plan B, but the group decided on Plan A after a vote and a ‘hot and heavy’ discussion. Clearly, he is not an establishment man himself. That said, he also admits to rooting up a six-inch square of the hallowed turf back in 2001 when St Colman's of Fermoy won the All Ireland Colleges game there.

John Arnold has been heard of before, although under the guise of an establishment man on that occasion. As a delegate to Cork County Board, he almost single-handedly fought the battle to keep Croke Park closed for soccer and rugby. His name featured on radio stations, newspapers and on the An Fear Rua forums. The media gave him a hard time in many respects because he was the voice above the parapet. But Arnold kept the flag flying, and even if you didn’t agree with his principles on the Rule 42 debate, you have to admire him for being what he is, a genuine GAA man.

‘Lest We Forget - A Journey of GAA Remembrance’ is only available directly from John Arnold at foxyjohnarnold@hotmail.com for a bargain price of €12 euro