JOHN KAVANAGH, coach to many of Ireland’s top mixed martial artists at Straight Blast Gym in Dublin, released his autobiography this week.
‘Win or Learn’ charts Kavanagh’s journey from growing up in Dublin to becoming one of the most successful coaches in MMA.
Co-authored by our own Paul Dollery, the book offers a fascinating insight into Kavanagh’s life, including his close relationship with MMA superstar and reigning UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor.
That was evidenced in the first exclusive extract from the book, which was published here on The42 earlier this week and delved into the aftermath of McGregor’s defeat to Nate Diaz at UFC 196 back in March.
Penguin Ireland have given us five copies of ‘Win or Learn’ to give away. To be in with a chance of winning one, just tell us who you believe is the greatest coach/manager in Irish sporting history in the comments section below.
We’ll select the winners at 5pm on Friday, 24 June.
‘Win or Learn — MMA, Conor McGregor & Me: A Trainer’s Journey’ by John Kavanagh is published by Penguin Ireland. Click here to order your copy. John will be signing copies of his book on Saturday, 25 June at 12 noon in Eason’s, O’Connell Street. John is also giving a public interview — ‘An Evening With John Kavanagh’ — at the Mansion House on Saturday, 25 June at 5pm, and tickets can be purchased by clicking here.
Robbie Brady
I won the Champions League with Shelbourne back in the day on Championship Manager so should be considered.
Eamonn Dunphy – he’s managed to stay alive for 63 and a half years baby!!
Steve Staunton
For the lift his teams gave the country in difficult times and for proving that Irish teams could compete at the top level, I’d say Jack Charlton.
Mick O’Dwyer..Winning 4 all Ireland’s in a row with Kerry unlucky to be stopped by Offaly for 5 in a row
Patrick o Connell, won a la liga with real betis, there only title and won a hatful of regional titles in Spain ! But is broadly forgotten.
Has to be Mick O’Dwyer, that man worked wonders at every level of Gaelic football!
Billy Walsh for me. Did fantastic work for Irish amateur boxing! Shame they couldn’t keep him!
Brian Cody
John kavanagh too do excellent so ya please pick me for the book
Joe Schmidt.
His record and reputation in Ireland speaks for itself.
Brian Cody
Brian Cody
Ted Crilly: almost won an over 75s priests 5 a side football match despite Father Jack being unconscious in a wheelchair
Jim McGuinness
Has to be Brian cody whst he has done with Kilkenny is remarkable
Ger Loughnane. Bridged an 81 year gap in 95 with a limited team
Has to be Brian Kerr. Brought on the golden generation of irish footballers and won underage tournaments we’ll never win again. Didn’t do too badly in the top job either. Deserved another campaign.
It’s gotta be Brian Cody. The Alex Ferguson of the GAA
Vincent O’Brien- Voted the Greatest ever influence on Horse Racing in 2003.
Paddy O Connell basically single handedly brought Barcelona out of the brink of extinction
Brian Cody
Mick o dwyer
Brian Cody
Billy Walsh for what he did for amateur boxing in Ireland.
Brian Cody
Declan Kidney. Grandslam ’09
Jackie Charlton…. irish soccer team. Lifted the nation in 1990 and by god did we need a lift. It was the beginning of irelands arrival on the world stage, and we haven’t looked back since.
Pete Taylor – Coach of Katie Taylor, the most successful Irish amateur boxer of all time.
Dermot Weld
Brian Cody without a doubt. No other comes near what he has achieved
Patrick O’Connell
Thanks for all your entires. The winners are: Sean Flanagan, Eoin McCarthy, Derek McKeever, Shane Byrne, Graham Russell.
Cheers Paul! Nice one!
Alex Ferguson
Forgot he wasn’t Irish
Mick O’Dwyer
Brian Cody
John Shields contribution to Irish athletics is outstanding and very low key. He is one of the best coaches in any sport in Ireland and an unsung hero to many.
Jack Charlton
Bill bellicheck pats coach
Soccer and GAA have been the main sports in Ireland for years, what John Kavangh has done in such little time is amazing. Building a team of UFC fighters, creating a UFC champion the first we have ever had and not only that expanding the SBG brand to Tallaght and SBG Charlestown. MMA is slowly becoming the most talked about sport in the country and that’s largely due to John. McGregor wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him so I’m going with coach John Kavanagh.
Mick O’Dwyer. Dominated with Kerry and had success with Kildare and Laois. Brought Wicklow to their best championship performance too. Was still managing intercounty at 78 years of age with Clare.
Martin O’Neill
Billy Walsh
Jack Charlton,childhood memories
Mickey Harte
Billy walsh
Artinov McCarrick. Motorsport Ireland Development Officer.
Stephen Kenny.
Mick McCarthy
Sean Boylan has to be up there, as much as I hate Meath!!!
Brian Cody
Jimmy Rabbitte did a super job with the Commitments
Hey Guys!!! I got mine from Cindy. My blank ATM card can withdraw €2,000 daily. I got it from her last week Wednesday and now I have €7,000 for free. The card withdraws money from any ATM machines and there is no name on it, it is not traceable and now i have money for bussiness and enough money for me and my 4 kids. I am really happy i met Cindy because i met two people before her and they took my money not knowing that they were scams. But am happy now. Cindy sent the card through DHL and i got it in two days. Get one from her now. she is giving it out to help people even if it is illegal but it helps a lot and no one ever gets caught. cindy’s email address is (cindytedder767@yahoo.com)
Stephen Kenny. Dundalk 2012 – present
Brian Cody. So many different players with different qualities against different teams over many years. But SAME OUTCOME!
Sean Boylan
I think I would have to give it to Mick O’Dwyer, to win 8 out of 10 All Ireland finals with Kerry is some achievement and then to also lead Kildare and Laois to Leinster titles and Kildare to an All Ireland final in 1998. To have success with whichever county he was in charge of shows what a top coach/manager he was. Amazing man. Brian Cody would be a very close and he only lost out because he hasn’t achieved success with different counties, electing to stay with the Cats. 11 All Ireland’s is not to be sniffed at either, together with 14 Leinsters !! 3rd spot would have to go to the legendary Vincent O’Brien. 4 Gold Cups, 3 Grand Nationals and 3 Champion Hurdles – amazing feat and then to replicate this success on the flat with 6 Irish Derbys and 6 Epsom Derbys amongst others. We in Ireland are so lucky to have had the opportunity to watch some of the worlds best coaches/managers in action !! Others could learn a lot from these 3 super men. John Kavanagh is well on the way to legendary status also ;-)
I think I would have to give it to Mick O’Dwyer, to win 8 out of 10 All Ireland finals with Kerry is some achievement and then to also lead Kildare and Laois to Leinster titles and also Kildare to an All Ireland final in ’98. To have success with whichever county he was in charge of shows what a top coach/manager he was. Amazing man. Brian Cody would be a very close second and he only lost out because he hasn’t achieved success with different counties, electing to stay with the Cats. 11 All Ireland’s is not to be sniffed at either, together with 14 Leinsters !! 3rd spot would have to go to the legendary Vincent O’Brien. 4 Gold Cups, 3 Grand Nationals and 3 Champions Hurdles – amazing feat and then to replicate this success on the flat with 6 Irish Derbys and 6 Epsom Derbys amongst others. We in Ireland are so lucky to have had the opportunity to watch some of the worlds best coaches/managers in action !! Others could learn a lot from these 3 super men. John Kavanagh is well on his way to legendary coach also
Billy Walsh. Upcoming and previous two Olympic cycle success in boxing down to his tactics and vision for Irish boxing.
Brian cody
Willie Mullins….no questions, coaching horses and jockeys at the top for years!!
Martin O’Neill
Billy Walsh. Current and previous success in Olympic cycles have been hugely down to his influence
I have to pick Jack Charlton . Would have liked him to have to let the great players we had express themselves a little more at times but he found a system that worked and gave the country so many great days back when the country needed it . I would be delighted to win a copy of this book …
BE SMART AND BECOME RICH IN LESS THAN 3DAYS….It all depends on how fast you can be to get the new PROGRAMMED blank ATM card that is capable of hacking into any ATM machine,anywhere in the world. I got to know about this BLANK ATM CARD when I was searching for job online about l 5days ago ..It has really changed my life for good and now I can say I’m rich and I can never be poor again. The least money I get $2,000 daily and now i have $10,000… Everyday I keeping pumping money into my account. Though is illegal,there is no risk of being caught ,because it has been programmed in such a way that it is not traceable,it also has a technique that makes it impossible for the CCTVs to detect you..For details on how to get yours today, email the hackers on : (cindytedder767@yahoo.com) Tell your loved once too, and start to live large. That’s the simple testimony of how my life changed for good…Love you all …the email address again is (cindytedder767@yahoo.com)
Brian Kerr (Soley for his underage work)
Eoin Hand
Aidan o brien
Patrick O’Connell the man saved one of the biggest clubs in soccer History and won 10 major honours ⭐️
Were the winners announced?
Brian cody
Mick O’Dwyer
Has to be Brian Cody- massive success over a huge period
Brian Cody, as much as it pains me as Cork man to say
Brian Cody
Mick O’Dwyer – very similar to Brian Cody but I think he shades it as the football championship is more competitive.
Fergie said that to play for United you have to be a level above because each week your opponent are playing the biggest game of their season. For Kerry & Kilkenny the same is true, and it adds to how impressive the jobs both Micko and Cody did
Jack Charlton
Brian Cody
Páidí Ó Sé
Brian Cody
Jack Charlton