Michael Collins, Martin Bailey, Brian Maughan, Stephen Maher, Tony O’Dowd; (seating) – Willie O’Reilly, Barry Duff, Paul O’Brien, Danny Clifford and Thomas Fitzimons at the launch last weekend
Calendar will feature players from book ‘For the Love of the Game’
A BALLYFERMOT man is planning to launch a calendar featuring images from a football book he published back in 2016.
Paul O’Brien, a key figure in five and seven-a-side leagues in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, launched ‘For the Love of the Game’, at Cherry Orchard Football Club five years ago and plans to organise a 2022 and 2023 calendar featuring images from the book.
The Kylemore resident, a brother of former Athlone Town goalkeeper Mick O’Brien, conducted extensive research over a number of years, interviewing players around the country, collecting photographs, and generating finance to compile the book.
Among the players who featured in the small-sided leagues were ex-Millwall and Republic of Ireland midfielder Dave Savage, former League of Ireland stars Joe Lawless, Richie Purdy, Tommy Dunne, Aaron Lynch, Paul Stokes, Dave Campbell, Aaron Callaghan, Tony O’Dowd and Joey Malone.
Former disgraced FAI Chief John Delaney was among those who provided a forward for the 100-page black and white book, which is packed with photos, tributes, reflections, and stories.
