We love reading at Sport for Business and this time of the year is a great one for finding the best of sports writing in its longest form.
There was an impressive shortlist for the prestigious Setanta Sports Book of the Year award and this afternoon the winner was announced as John Leonard’s revealing tale from the edges of the Dublin Senior Football squad.
A tale of rivalry, drugs, drink and Dublin GAA, John Leonard is the story writ large of the battle players have faced through the generations of being so close to the top of your game to touch it but finding a rival that is always one step or in this case one magical free kick to win an All Ireland ahead.
Dub Sub Confidential was revealed by us this morning to be claimed as the winner on Amazon. That was a little early but no doubt the timetable for printing new covers was such that somebody knew.
Nevertheless its a worthy winner. They say you have to be mad to be a goalkeeper, Leonard shows that the madness is accompanied by a touch of genius in capturing the mood behind a star filled team of amateur players.
The others to have made it onto the shortlist and are deserving of any sports fans attention are:
Until Victory Always by Jim McGuinness
Winner of the Best Sports Book at last week’s BGE Book of the Year Awards McGuinness’ memoir is less a traditional blow by blow account of his time as Donegal manager and more of a reflection on what it took to put those triumphs in place. We’ve had the pleasure to work alongside McGuinness as judges in a Guinness programme. He’s an impressive individual and this book, co-written by Keith Duggan, captures that.
Relentless by Mary White
Has there been a more dominant team in Irish sport than the Ladies Footballers of Cork? Recognised more of late for their achievements, this is still the first time that we are given a glimpse inside the camp by a writer who shares our real passion for advocating Women’s sport and who would have been a fully deserving winner.
Sport and Ireland A History by Paul Rouse
Described by the Irish Times as a history of Ireland through the lens of sport this is a book that has been a long time in the making and will stand the test of time. It puts sport in context through history and in how Ireland has forged its identity on a world stage. It’s timing is perfect.
No Borders by Tom English
Oh if only Ireland had won the World Cup Tom English’s book would have been in every christmas stocking. It will still be in many. It’s a historical ‘captain’s run’ capturing the stories of those who have represented Ireland down the years.
Congratulations to all who have made it onto the list and to Setanta for supporting an award that will be richly deserved by the winner and which helps put the spotlight on quality writing.
