New Tipperary Hurling Book to be launched

All roads lead to the Horse & Jockey Hotel this Saturday night at 8.00pm for the launch of the much-anticipated new book ‘Tipperary - Land of Blue and Gold’ by Upperchurch native Stephen Gleeson.

This book delves deeper into how the identity of Tipperary hurling was formed. ‘Land of Blue and Gold’, which is a hardback collector’s item and an ideal Christmas present, features over forty interviews related to hurling.

The book is made up of chapters focusing on a personality to the forefront during a particular era. Beginning with ‘The Boss’ Paddy Leahy, an All-Ireland medallist who was part of the backroom teams for Tipperary sides from the 1930s to 1960s and oversaw many All-Ireland wins.

‘The All-Rounder’ Donie Nealon recalls his playing era, the 1984 season and his time coaching Tipperary to All-Ireland wins in 1971, 1989 and 1991.

The chapter on ‘The Hero’ Mick Roche is a beautiful recollection of a true all-time-great from his days fishing in Carrick-on-Suir to a morning spent travelling around the Grand Canyon in a plane with Michael ‘Babs’ Keating.

‘The Warrior’ aka Bobby Ryan is a superb account of hurling highs and lows from a true ‘fans favourite’.

‘The Artist’ Nicky English is a chapter on the maestro's contribution to the jersey as player and manager. He won All-Irelands in both roles.

The role of administration and GAA committees is explored by ‘The Secretary’ Tim Floyd who recently stepped down from roles with the County Board.

The legacy of Dillon Quirke will live on and there is a chapter on ‘The Legend’ as those who hurled alongside him recall his talent and humour as well as pointing out that the ‘Dillon Quirke Foundation’ will help many people for many years to come.

Days in Croke Park lit up by ‘The Magician’ John ‘Bubbles’ O'Dwyer are also recalled. The Killenaule forward could make a sliotar dance and he was pivotal to many big days.

He recalls his time in the blue and gold jersey from that infamous ‘Hawkeye’ score in 2014 to the magic wins over Kilkenny in the 2016 and 2019 finals where he struck key goals on the biggest stage in hurling.

‘The 16th player’ is the Tipperary supporters and there are some excellent contributions from fans such as Kevin Hanly who talks about living with Autism and how following Tipp changed his life for the better.

Founder of the Tipperary Supporters Club, Michael ‘Babs’ Keating recalls how supporters' engagement has changed over the decades while former Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams player Martin McGrath talks about how he was a supporter on the terrace one week and then the next weekend scoring three points in Killarney in 1987 to help Tipperary win their first Munster final since 1971.

Others with contributions in the book include: Tony Wall, Jake Morris, John Costigan, Ken Hogan, Eamon Corcoran, Eddie Keher, Declan Hannon, Seamus Leahy, Tom Roche, Timmy Hammersley, Niall Quinn, Pat Fox and others.

On the night, a hurling panel will reflect on memories of teams, players and moments that turned days golden for generations of Tipperary supporters. All are welcome to attend.