Bloodied Field

Originally from Killavullen, Co Cork, Michael Foley has written Kings of September, winner of the 2007 BoyleSports Irish Sportsbook of the year. He also ghostwrote Harte: Presence Is the Only Thing, the autobiography of Tyrone gaelic football manager Mickey Harte, shortlisted for the 2009 William Hill Irish Sportsbook of the Year.Winner of the GAA’s McNamee Award in 2008 and shortlisted for Sports Journalist of the Year in 2003, he is acting sports editor and GAA correspondent for the Irish edition of the Sunday Times. This is his third book. He currently resides in Macroom, Co Cork.

• ContentsNames and Acronyms 13Cast of Principal Characters 15Prologue 21The Invisible War 34PART I POLITICS AND WAR, 1918–19201 The Boy with the Penny Package 452 The Outlaws 563 The Reluctant General 784 The Heritage of Hate 97PART II GAELIC FOOTBALL IN DUBLIN AND TIPPERARY, AND THE RISE OF THE GAA, 1884–19205 A New Force 1196 Faith Restored 1407 The Brainy Bunch 1568 The Challenge 170PART III CROKE PARK AND BLOODY SUNDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 19209 Morning – 7am to Midday 18710 Afternoon – 11am to 3.25pm 19911 The Bloodied Field – 3.25pm to 5.30pm 21412 The Aftermath 231PART IV THE BLOODY SUNDAY INQUIRIES AND THE SEARCH FOR TRUTH, 1920–192113 The Violence of Truth 24714 The Funerals 26515 The Inquiries 28016 War Stories 29917 The Dead 319Postscript 323Selected Bibliography 327Index 337

Among the sports writing fraternity of the GAA, a healthy competition began rousing itself around 15 years ago, leading to over a decade of left-field 'concept' books and superb documenting of Gaelic Games. The trickle-down effect has emboldened many writers willing to experiment on their work. Each Christmas, Gaelic Games has a glut of sports books produced. For an indigenous sport and an amateur one at that, it is possibly even over-subscribed with capable authors. The high-water mark this Christmas, and for a few more, might just be reached by the release of Michael Foley's 'The Bloodied Field'… This is a rich book. It has soul and a beating heart and it stands alone as an astonishing, affecting piece of work. If you are in the habit of visiting Croke Park, you will never look at it again with the same eyes. Only greatness can achieve that effect. And this book is great