four provinces and beyond

Gaelic football has been played in Ireland since time immemorial. The creation of the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) brought about the modern game and forged rivalries between counties that would stand the test of time. In this detailed work, Donal Hanley maps out the progress of this wonderful Irish sport from its foundation in the Hayes Hotel, Thurles in 1884 to the thrilling encounters of the present day. With every poetic turn of phrase Hanley encapsulates the intense action and breathtaking atmosphere of Peil Ghaelach. Shining the spotlight on every county and club in turn, he focuses his attention on the high and lows of the participating teams backed up by a meticulous analysis of facts and figures and the characters he’s met.