Standing My Ground: The Autobiography

Description

A fiercely honest and compelling autobiography from the Tipperary legend - the greatest goalkeeper in the history of hurling. Brendan Cummins has made more senior hurling championship appearances than any other player in the history of the game. In an era that produced such brilliant goalkeeping talents as Davy Fitzgerald, Donal g Cusack and Damien Fitzhenry, many would argue that Cummins has earned the right to be considered the greatest of them all. Following his League debut for Tipperary in November 1993, Cummins went on to play at the top of the intercounty game for 19 consecutive seasons. He won two senior All Ireland medals, five Munster championships, four League titles and five All Star awards. From fearless shot-stopping to pinpoint accuracy on his puck-outs, Cummins was unrivalled in the consistency of his performances, a consistency underpinned by a sometimes punishing physical commitment, mental discipline and great attention to detail. He was the rock upon which Tipperary built their team under many managers and changes of personnel. Brendan Cummins' story is the story of Tipperary hurling over the last two decades. The ups and downs. The dramas. The characters. From his senior championship debut in 1995 under Fr. Tom Fogarty to his final games under Eamon O'Shea, Cummins has seen it all. Standing My Ground is a remarkable account of an extraordinary career.

Brendan Cummins was born in Ardfinnan, County Tipperary, in 1975 and made his senior hurling debut for Tipperary in the 1993-94 National Hurling League. His first senior championship game came in 1995 in Pairc Ui Chaoimh against Waterford and, over the next two decades, he went on to make more championship appearances (73) than any other player in the history of hurling. He won two All Ireland senior medals, five Munster medals and four National League medals, as well as five All Star awards. At club level, he hurled with Ballybacon-Grange and played football with Ardfinnan. He has won the individual Poc Fada competition nine times. Brendan is a GAA pundit and co-commentator for RTE and is a regular analyst on the Sunday Game . He is married to Pamela and works as a bank official with AIB.

Rarely has a GAA autobiography been more generous or insightful into how to prepare and play at the highest level. -- Kieran Shannon * Irish Examiner * Typically honest and forthright offering from the goalkeeper of his generation. -- Malachy Clerkin * Sports Books of the Year, Irish Times *