Local writer scores with football tale

By Laura Lyne

WITH football fever gripping the nation as the Republic of Ireland compete at Euro 2016, a local writer from Ballyfermot is set to launch his new book for kids aged 10 and over, about a soccer player from Dublin, called Legends’ Lair.

Joe O’Brien’s book about a young football player with aspirations to play for Manchester United launches this week, with the story strongly inspired by Joe’s upbringing in the area of Ballyfermot.

The story is Joe’s latest book to be published after a five-year gap, and he hopes that it will lead to another successful series of stories that can stand alongside his previous works which include a series about GAA player ‘Danny Wilde’ and his friends and the ‘Alfie Green’ series for younger readers.

Ahead of the release of Legends’ Lair, Joe took some time to speak to The Echo about the book and the creative process behind it.

How did you come up with the idea for Legends Lair?

I love football. After doing a trilogy on GAA it was something I wanted to do, I have more passion for soccer. I still play football with my old friends, so it was fuelled by a spark that’s there.

In your own words, tell us about Legends Lair.

Legend’s lair is about a 12-year-old boy from Dublin named Charlie Stubbs, who practically grew up in Salford, Manchester. Life couldn’t be better for him, but a tragedy sends him back to Dublin, which sets him on a new beginning. He also comes across a mystery, learning about his grandad and and a famous football ground called the lair. I can’t say much more, don’t want to ruin the story!

Was the book inspired by your childhood and current life in Ballyfermot?

Most of my stories are inspired by growing up in Ballyfermot and about the Ballyfermot area. The core of this story, even though it is completely fictional, is inspired by the old lair that was in Ballyfermot. It was a big, old tarmacadam pitch and there used to be competitions between all of Ballyfermot, and even people from other areas. I’m a very visual writer, so in my mind it was very visually based on Ballyfermot.

The book seems to have a very personal connection to you. Are you excited about its launch?

I’m so excited about this book, it’s my first book in five years, plus the fact it will be released around the time of Euro 2016. The characters are named after all my old football friends. However, they are all fictional characters and are not based on them. Anything that promotes Ballyfermot in a positive light is great. There’s a lot of good things coming out of Ballyfermot. It’ll be great for people to think back about the liar, and to introduce it to kids that are aged 10 and 11.

Is this a story that everyone can relate to?

This story, I want it to be read everywhere in all four corners of Ireland and possibly in the UK. Readers everywhere will relate to it, and will relate to the places and the characters. Children can read it for the football, and read it for the stories

Legends Lair will have its official launch this coming Monday, June 20 in the Mansion House and is available in bookstores across South Dublin.