Taoiseach Enda Kenny took time out last night to dive into the pain of being a Mayo GAA supporter when launching the 20th annual edition of the Sportsfile ‘Season of Sundays’.
This year’s book once more captures the highs and lows of the season in a collection of images that combine touching portraits of games in the community with action shots of the highest quality from Croke Park and every other ground in the country.
This years cover is given over to a shot from Tipperary’s win over Kilkenny in the All Ireland Hurling Final.
“The GAA season is not fully complete until Ray McManus’ A Season of Sundays is in the shops,” said Kenny.
“The book celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and is a must for all sports fans. Every year Ray and Sportsfile capture the iconic pictures of the GAA season – the triumph, the skill, the passion, the colour and indeed the heartache.”
“When you pick up any of Ray’s books at any given time you are inevitably transported back to a magic and memorable sporting moment. They have become an integral and unmissable part of our national games.”
“A Season of Sundays and its annual publication is a staging post in our season and reminds us of the passing of another year,” added GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail.
“Year-in, year-out, it vividly captures the allure and reach of our games – from January right through to the conclusion of our championships. It is eagerly anticipated by many and accompanies many year-end reviews.”
Speaking at the launch, the book’s creator Ray McManus said; “It’s hard to believe this year marks our 20th collection. Since 1996 we have captured thousands of iconic images and I’m proud of every book. Once again I would like to thank my highly skilled team as we look forward to our 21st next year.”
The book is sponsored by Carroll’s of Tullamore and includes captions from the GAA’s Head of Communications Alan Milton.
In the same way as Wisden captures the cricket season and the old Rothmans Football Year book was a must have on the shelf of every young sports fan, A Season of Sundays acts like your own personal photo album, a touching and enduring memory of the way things were in our increasingly digital world.
