The Story of Irish Rugby
Everything Irish rugby finds a home between the covers of this vividly written and illustrated work from Gerard Siggins and Graham Corcoran. Taking Ireland as its centre, the book provides a wealth of information about the game generally and the pivotal role Ireland has played in its history more specifically. From international tournaments to schools’ rugby, no stone is left unturned in capturing the spirit and significance of the game to the island of Ireland.
Gerard Siggins brings a lifetime of passion and knowledge about rugby to every page of the book, managing to strike a formidable balance between faithful detail and broad accessibility. Each page is loaded with information about players, venues, regions and outstanding matches, giving the reader a sense of the prominence and importance of the game to Irish life. The writing style is engaging, and the basics of the game are explained in clear terms. The men’s and women’s sides of the sport are fairly represented, with some fascinating trivia around Emily Valentine (aged 11) from Enniskillen who was the first ever female to play rugby – in 1887 for a male side! Graham Corcoran’s illustrations are immersive, combining a robust use of colour and bold lines with a convincing sense of momentum in the action pictures that populate the book, complementing Siggins’ prose perfectly.
A compelling introduction to rugby in Ireland, this book will be treasured by seasoned fans and those exploring the game for the very first time.
