The traditional season for GAA books is upon us, and one of the latest offerings is a fantastic publication from Mike Cronin, Mark Duncan and Paul Rouse.

‘The GAA County by County’ is an excellent companion to supplement ‘The GAA – A Peoples History (2009)’, providing more depth into the history of the association in a county-by-county format. Needless to say, as per the previous edition, it’s presented impeccably by the Collins Press who have developed a reputation for enhanced high quality GAA publications.

The collection of photographs is nothing short of excellent, with each county having a number, and such is their excellence, that no review could ever do justice to them. Sometimes an old GAA photograph gives the impression that the cameraman was in the perfect place at the perfect time. Most sporting books would be lucky to contain one such photograph if any at all, but this publication contains a number of such photographs, unique in terms of their relevance to a particular era. Reading may not be a source of great enjoyment for everyone, but one can derive great enjoyment from this book from photographs alone.

It contains a chapter of roughly fourteen pages for each county, along with a chapter on overseas GAA. A summary of each county is presented from the beginning to the present day dealing most particularly the origin of GAA and the struggles it faced to establish itself in the early days. Any crisis worthy of mention in modern times is mentioned as a historical milestone rather than a crutch to beat anybody with. Observations of other milestones reached in terms of the emergence of key clubs, the impact of managers, and how clutches of talented underage players can lead to adult success. One of the most interesting facets of information across all counties is the influence of various political divisions on the early history of the GAA within those counties, but that may well have been a factor across every organisation.

It also gives a page for each county containing a series of random reflections from just about anyone. Gus Lohan for instance, bemoans the fact that East Clare clubs promote hurling and soccer but not Gaelic Football. David Cassidy of Cavan believes that it is the payment of managers has driven players to achieve higher training standards. Probably the most noteworthy comment of the lot comes from Denis Keohane who in 12 months on Cork County Board has learned more about GAA politics than he has in 25 years of club involvement. However he is keen to point out that GAA politics is not party politics of the Fianna Fail/Fine Gael variety, but it comes down to the ‘political mind of the person’. Speaking of politics, the former Senator Rory Kiely of Limerick recounts the harshness of suspensions being dished out to players for attending Rugby and Soccer functions in bygone days, and observes how the wheel has turned to such a degree that its medals rather than suspensions they get these days.

As a book, it’s one you can read from cover to cover. However it’s also one that can be pulled from the shelf, delved into at a particular point, and enjoyed on that basis. The ideal Christmas stocking filler for the GAA reader, it comes highly recommended to all. In the days of kindle, and other electronic formats, there is a perception that books will in time be rendered redundant.

Books like this will never be redundant…..



Buy this book here

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