'You might never have seen a hurling game in your life, but within ten minutes of seeing Brian Corcoran play, you'd know and say, "That man with that helmet is special." He just has an authority, a grace, a presence that elevates him from everything else which surrounds him' - Ger Loughnane
The year 2006 was about more than an historic three-in-a-row bid for the Cork hurlers; it marked the last year in the inter-county career of probably the county's finest and most revered hurler of the past 20 years. InEvery Single Ball, Brian Corcoran gives us a riveting insight into the workings of the most professional team the GAA has ever known as they sought hurling immortality. He also takes us through, in his refreshingly candid and sincere way, one of the most varied and lengthy careers of modern times and the personalities, highs, trials and tribulations he encountered along the way. He brings us into the training grounds and dressing-rooms of Billy Morgan, Larry Tompkins, Canon O'Brien and Jimmy Barry-Murphy, recalls the torment and frustration that caused him to walk away from hurling at only 28 and reveals how, just like his hero, Michael Jordan, he came back and fell in love again with his sport and with winning.
Quite simply,Every Single Ballis the story of one of Ireland's greatest sporting comebacks, sportsmen and sports teams.
Brian Corcoran is one of the most respected hurlers and dual players of his generation. He was named Hurler of the Year in 1992 and again in 1999, when he was also awarded the first All Ireland senior medal. At the start of 2002, he quit both club and inter-county hurling but came out of retirement two years later to win an All Ireland and an All Star, and, in 2005, another All Ireland.
Kieran Shannon is chief Gaelic Games correspondent of theSunday Tribune. The winner of the 2003 GAA McNamee Award, he has co-written two other highly-acclaimed books:Hookedwith Justin McCarthy andKicking Down Heaven's Doorwith Mickey Harte. He has previously worked with theIrish Examinerand theSunday Independent.
