Paul Mcgrath Scores Irish Sports Book Award

Back from the Brink, the autobiography of Paul McGrath, has been revealed as the inaugural winner of the William Hill Irish Sports Book of the Year. Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O'Donoghue, TD, made the announcement at Easons bookstore in Dublin today, Monday, November 20th.

Back from the Brink was written with the assistance of Irish Independent journalist Vincent Hogan and published by Century Press. Billed as the story of Ireland's greatest ever footballer, the book has been described as 'candid' and 'brilliant' by independent reviewers.

The winner beat off a strong shortlist consisting of the biographies of jockey Timmy Murphy and International Rules manager Sean Boylan, Tom Humphries' look back on the great Dublin and Kerry Gaelic football rivalry, Alan English's review of Munster's road to Heineken Cup glory, and Paddy Agnew's Forza Italia.

"The William Hill Sports Book award has honoured many greats down the years and it is fitting that the first ever Irish award should go to such a legend," said William Hill's Tony Kenny. "The whole of Ireland used to sing 'ooh-aah Paul McGrath' when he helped us to football's top table through the late 80's and early 90's".