Diarmuid O'Flynn tells the story of Newtownshandrum in Cork, a small club that harnessed the talent of nine young boys who started primary school on the same day and went on to help the parish become All-Ireland champions 19-years later. Every county in Ireland has its fabled GAA club. Often in a small parish, or a half parish, it is centred around a village with a post office, pub, shop, school, and maybe a creamery. Key personalities may include the teacher, the priest, a few committed local families. The main catalyst is sometimes an outsider bringing a sorely-needed missing ingredient. Newtownshandrum is one such club. How did this small club rise from near obscurity to national renown in a period of ten years? How could half a small rural parish, population 800, produce a team to beat the best? Irish Examiner GAA correspondent Diarmuid O'Flynn uncovers the inside, intimate story. He discovers part of the answer lies in tradition but just as important is the role of fate, the confluence of other separate, ultimately binding events. Bernie O'Connor, an outstanding hurler with Meelin and Cork, marries Kathleen O'Mahony from Newtown. They set up home in Kathleen's native village; twins, Ben and Gerry, are born, followed by other sons, all outstanding hurlers (a daughter, Paula, excels at camogie, winning All-Ireland medals with Cork). The twins start school on the same day in 1985 as seven other boys - all nine become top-class club hurlers; Bernie turns out to be an outstanding and revolutionary hurling coach; and waiting in the wings are slightly older players, such as John McCarthy and Pat Mulcahy, just enough to supplement the miracle class of 1985. The result is hurling alchemy, county and All-Ireland championships and All-Star awards. Diarmuid O'Flynn had a varied career before taking up a full-time post with the Irish Examiner. A former senior club and intercounty player from Ballyhea, near Newtownshandrum, he has followed the fortunes of Newtownshandrum with an often envious eye. Price Eu14.99 Tweet

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