A new book finally explains why an inter-county Gaelic football star dramatically quit his native Mayo before going on to an All-Ireland title with Louth - over 50 years ago. Dan O'Neill, born and reared in Castlebar, won an All-Ireland senior title with Louth in 1957, just 18 months after leaving Mayo in controversial circumstances. Now in his autobiography, Divided Loyalties, the former Garda details how a disagreement over expenses was the catalyst for his move to the Wee County, where he was stationed at the time. O'Neill felt Mayo county board were "penny pinching" when they failed to cover the full amount he requested to travel west to play with Mayo one weekend early in 1956. "I was young and hurt and felt my credibility had been called into question. My first reaction was one of indignation," says O'Neill. Admitting that the monumental decision was taken "on impulse", and probably deserved "more consideration", O'Neill felt he had no alternative. "For me it was a matter of principle. I felt short-changed by Mayo, believed my bona fides as a person was being questioned. In my view, this implied slur on my character could not be allowed to go unchallenged," he writes. O'Neill and another former Mayo player - Seamie O'Donnell - ended up playing together at midfield for Louth in the second-half of the 1957 All-Ireland final win over Cork. Later in his decorated career, O'Neill returned to the Mayo colours but never again played championship for his home county, "I wanted to set the record straight. I wanted to show the people of Mayo that I was ready and willing to wear the county jersey again. I couldn't let my career end with any suggestion that I wasn't devoted to the cause," he explains. His last appearance for Mayo was against Longford in a league match, ten years after making his debut against the same opposition. Divided Loyalties looks back at the run to the Sam Maguire in 1957, and also deals with the celebrations that followed the famous win. Dan also writes about his time living and working in Co. Louth. "It is amazing to think that neither Louth or Mayo have won an All-Ireland senior title in the last 50 years, particularly when you consider that between them they claimed three titles in the 1950s. As a Mayo man with such a strong connection to Louth, I hope this omission is put right soon," he said. Divided Loyalties by Dan O'Neill, was written in association with Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, freelance journalist Liam Horan. The book is available in all good bookshops. Alternatively send a cheque for ?20 to publishers Low Ball Against The Wind, Cloongowla, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, for a copy. Email [email protected] Order by post: Liam Horan, Low Ball against the Wind Publishers, Cloongowla, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo Total postal cost: Ireland ?20; UK ?22.50; Europe and United States ?25 Tweet

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