A huge crowd gathered in the Anner Hotel last Thursday night 24th of November for the launch of John Harrington’s book “Doyle The Greatest Hurling Story Ever Told”. A huge attendance of Gaels from all over Ireland descended on the Cathedral Town for the launch of the book.
It has often been said in the past that it was quite difficult to put into words the impact John Doyle had on Tipperary teams and on hurling in general. An inspirational battler who went to huge lengths to succeed, his life and times have been moulded into a beautiful publication which has been described by former Meath football Allstar Liam Hayes as one of the greatest sports books he has ever read.
Guest speakers on the night included former Tipperary full back Michael Maher – a clubmate of John Doyle as well and a man who won 5 All-Ireland senior hurling medals; Eddie Keher, the Kilkenny maestro who won six All-Ireland senior hurling medals; and John Doyle’s Tipp colleagues Jimmy Doyle, Mackey McKenna and Len Gaynor – all household names in the hurling family nationwide.
Author John Harrington paid a very special tribute to Anne Doyle for her warmth, courtesy and the many chats they had in preparing for the publication of the book. Writing the book never felt like hard work and was very rewarding in the sense that it added context to the term ‘legend’ which is so often used to describe John Doyle.
Describing him as the first real defending superstar, John Harrington said that he epitomised the county made flesh – a proud and strong county which is determined to live up to it’s name, The Premier County.
John paid tribute to the many hurlers he spoke to in trying to learn about John Doyle – the many brains he rattled, libraries he visited.
“When he was alive, he seemed so durable, but now that he has passed, his memory will live forever because he was The Legend,” John Harrington said.
The book is available now from bookshops around the country and is well worth a read.