In the early 1990s, the first modern GAA autobiography hit the shelves co-written by Martin Breheny. Cyril Farrell’s ‘The Right to Win’ was an excellent read, though probably ahead of its time.

The GAA autobiography market didn’t really come of age until the turn of the Millennium by which time Ger Loughnane and Pat Spillane had produced blockbusters. Breheny kept plugging away, though, and along with Farrell, he produced autobiographies for John O’Leary, Mick O’Dwyer, Brian Cody and, now, Joe Kernan. Breheny has created a nice little niche for himself. It’s strange that Croke Park have opted not to include such books in the library within the Croke Park Museum, apart from Mick O’Dwyer’s. Surely all of these books are equally important in GAA historical terms?

Much was made of the lack of controversy in the Brian Cody book two years ago but that said more of the subject than it did of the co-writer. As the recent Cha Fitzpatrick case shows, Cody doesn’t ‘do’ controversy but players have the option of using the exit door. Kernan’s book is different. He deals with tricky issues, issues where he might have been targeted for criticism.

It goes without saying that anyone south of the border will never truly understand what it was like to live in the North during the height of the Troubles. A story is recounted where Kernan is stopped at a British Army checkpoint while he was an Armagh player in the 1970s. Late one night, his car was pulled to one side on the grass margin nearby and he was marched to a place called Creggan Bridge and told to sit on the edge facing the river. Kernan recounts predicting the future during those moments - one small push and he drops on top of the rocks far below. The army would speed away and the headlines the following day would sensitively deal with the Armagh footballer who abandoned his car and took his own life. A car coming along the road provided the necessary distraction. Kernan - rather than the newspapers - told the tale. But it made for chilling reading.

Kernan has a few gripes, one being the sending off of Diarmuid Marsden in the 2003 All Ireland final. The other was the failure of that group of players to win the Sam Maguire for the second time. In retrospect, 2003 was their best chance of a second All Ireland title and Kernan carries major umbrage over the failure to win that title. Let’s be honest, Armagh were box-office material for a while, and won seven Ulster titles between 1999 and 2008. Kernan won four Ulster Championships from five when in power, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Bear in mind that every side in Ulster was strong enough to contest at least one Ulster final between 2000 and 2009, meaning that winning Ulster was not a soft touch. Translating that to an All Ireland title is not easy and the failure to do it during their three-in-a-row from 2004 to 2006 is a source of great regret. He feels that the old knockout system would have served them better, and there is merit in that for 2005 when they would have eliminated Tyrone after beating them in the Ulster Final rather than having to face them again in the All Ireland Semi Final. Needless to say, the withdrawal of Kieran McGeeney that day ruffled feathers but Kernan is frank in how he deals with it in the book. He also deals strongly with ‘moles’ carrying tactical information out of training sessions over the following two years. He is equally frank when dealing with the matter of selecting his own sons, mentioning instances when Stephen wasn’t being passed to in good scoring positions due to resentment at his selection. The lesson is there to be learned that, for the purposes of harmony, all counties should avoid Father-Son situations like a plague. It’s just not worth the hassle, regardless of any merits. It was difficult in Armagh given that he was the established manager when his sons were coming through. You have to admire him for walking away as manager but how many others would?

Overall it’s an excellent read though the recollection of games is general and knowledgeable football people will bemoan the lack of information on what made Armagh successful. Kernan has not given any secrets away. Perhaps there was no fancy formula and it was really as simple as ranting and raving at a team of players who were that bit better than most, along with throwing a losers’ plaque from the 1970s against a wall, or producing a life size picture of Ciarán Whelan with the Sam Maguire.

If you are looking for an XYZ prescription in how to win an All Ireland this is not the book. No secrets are revealed. However, if you are looking for the reflections of a manager on the good days and the bad, with just the odd hint of bitterness, then this is the one for the Christmas stocking.

Well worth a read for any GAA supporter.
Order the book online here.