GAA The Glory Years

During the past fifteen years, the GAA has gone through a renaissance. Despite the rising popularity of other sports, it has revolutionised itself to take centre stage in the Irish sporting arena, enjoying greater support and loyalty than ever before. It’s been an era of high drama and constant change. Dublin and Meath fought out the greatest saga in football history. Ulster football came back to the fore, culminating in the triumphs of Armagh and Tyrone. In hurling, Clare, Wexford and Galway claimed All-Irelands while Cork and Kilkenny battled for renewed supremacy. There’s been the amazing development Croke Park and record-breaking attendances. Sean Boylan, Mick O’Dwyer, Ger Loughnane, John O’Mahoney and Paidí o Se have personified the cult of the manager whilst ‘Jayo-mania’ has heralded the era of the GAA superstar. Along with back-door champions, strikes and revolts and the advent of player power, the events of these fifteen years have been fascinating. In GAA The Glory Years, Ronnie Bellew tells the story of this remarkable era – the breakthroughs, the controversies, the personalities and the events, on and off the field, that have seen the GAA reinvent itself to become the hottest ticket in town.