KIERAN DONAGHY has been one of the most influential, charismatic and successful Gaelic football players of the last dozen years, winning four All Ireland senior medals and three All Stars as well as being Footballer of the Year. Everyone knows how he burst onto the scene in 2006 to sweep Kerry to an All Ireland title. How he linked up with Colm Cooper, Declan O'Sullivan and Paul Galvin to form one of the greatest forward lines in Gaelic football history. And how, after a couple of frustrating, injury-troubled seasons, he resurrected his career and Kerry's 2014 season in dramatic circumstances to inspire the county to another All Ireland against the head. The country thinks it knows all about him: his overnight-sensation rise to fame, the townie-basketball style lip and attitude, the won’t-back-down, in-your-face persona. But there is so much more about Kieran Donaghy it doesn't know. It doesn't know about the huge upheaval he had at home during his childhood and of the roller-coaster relationship he had with his troubled father right up to the man’s tragic death. It doesn't know that Kieran is dyslexic, a condition that led to many challenges throughout his childhood and adult life. It doesn't know just how close he came to falling by the sporting wayside until he was saved by a couple of American basketball figures that mentored him. It doesn't know that the reason he has fought for everything on the field is because he had to fight for everything on and off it. Brimming with honesty, insight and humour, this is one of the most engaging Irish sports books of recent times.
