FIVE-TIME ALL-Ireland winner Philly McMahon has been named as the 2017 winner for the eir Sports Book of the Year award.
Written by sports journalist Niall Kelly, Deputy Editor of The42, McMahon’s autobiography ‘The Choice’ looks at Philly’s relationship with his brother John, who died in 2012 at the age of 31 after a long struggle with heroin addiction.
John was at the point of being almost drug-free at the time.
McMahon’s book beat off competition from other works on the shortlist — Jackie Tyrrell’s ‘The Warriors Code’, written by Christy O’Connor, and ‘The Ascent: Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche and the Rise of Irish cycling’s golden generation’ by Barry Ryan.
Previous winners of the award include Kieran Donaghy’s ‘What Do You Think of That?’
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
If he didn’t write it is it not just a biography?
@the druid: But they say it’s ‘written by Niall Kelly’, ergo it can’t by its very definition be an autobiography
@the druid: Sorry I sent that before your next message!
@COYBIG: it’s an autobiography because it’s written (or in this case ghostwritten) from his own point of view. If it was a biography it would be someone else’s description of his life.
@Stephen: Do ye seriously think sports stars all write their own books, word for word. If ye actually believe that, I’m afraid I’ve some bad news for ye about Santa Claus…
@Ewan Euphrenza: Ya you’re right, I was being pedantic
@Dermot Dooley: No Dermot, it is only an ‘autobiography’ if is self-written by Philly on his own.
@Martin Fahy: Autobiographies can, and very often are, ghostwritten. As in this case.
I live in Ballymun and have known Philly and his dad, Phil, for over 30 years. The bit of this excellent book that I like best [so far!] is where an opponent tried to rile him by saying “Your dad’s only a Provo”, to which Philly retorted “And what did your dad do in the troubles?” Advantage Philly!
@Sean Marlow: hahaha good one!!
Just another Dublin player cashing in ….
@Patrick j Brady: I see Kieran Donaghy was a previous winner and Gooch has a book out to top up the money that he earned from his testimonial dinner, which was expected to make 250K. What exactly is your point again?
@Patrick j Brady: Must be from Mayo.. The chap has 4 or 5 gyms, his own healthy eating company and a patent on a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation machine, wouldn’t say he’s “cashing in” you pratt.. great read. Fair play.
@Sean @114: Gooch gave his testimonial money to charity.
@Colin McCarthy: ‘part’ of it to charity , ‘Part’ of it to his club and the vast bulk of it to his accountant
@Patrick j Brady: would your bitterness stem from the fact no Meath player is worthy of a story to put in print
Fair play. He’s an ambitious fella
Really great book. Well done to Niall Kelly also, the ghost writing is superb. Some passages in it are absolutely haunting; the picture of what went on for young Philly and John is painted so well.
More than just a sports book.. a terrific read…heartbreakingly sad in parts but uplifting throughout
Not a fan of his but well done on the award