Diarmuid O’Flynn – the sports writer writer with the Irish Examiner – brought out an interesting book last year named “Club, Sweat and Tears” (I felt fierce stupid altogether but I kept thinking that it was called ‘Blood, Sweat and Tears’ for ages until I read the cover more carefully).

It’s the remarkable story of Newtownshandrum – the club of Ben & Jerry O’Connor – and its author is a Ballyhea man, from Newtown’s most bitter rivals.  Small clubs doing huge things always makes for great reading and it did remind me of the story of my own home town of Tallow.  They never reached the heights that Newtown did. Their big chance was in 1985 when they lost by a single point to Kilruane McDonaghs from Tipperary, who were to go on and win the All-Ireland final that year.

But Newtown seems to be an even smaller place, so their achievements were all the more remarkable.  O’Flynn has an easy style, a passion for hurling and keen eye for relevant detail.  If reading the life story of former Waterford goalkeeper Ned Power isn’t your thing, then you could do worse than pick up this book.

“My Father: A Hurling Revolutionary, the life and times of Ned Power” is out on paperback at the end of November 2009.  Click here for further information, pre-order and excerpt.