Dan Shanahan - If you don't know me, don't judge me: My Autobiography

by Dan Shanahan

Dan Shanahan is a legend in modern hurling, a three-time All Star and winner of 'Player of the Year' in 2007. His time as an inter-county senior hurler coincided with the remarkable revival in Waterford's fortunes, which saw them win the Munster Final four times in the last decade.In this candid and revealing autobiography, Dan speaks about his love of the game, which grew out of an idyllic childhood in Lismore and his apprenticeship with the Lismore club. He first made his mark as a senior player with Waterford in 1998, under the management of Gerald McCarthy. But it was when Justin McCarthy took over as manager in 2002 that the Waterford team really began to shine, Dan sharing the glory with such outstanding players as Tony Browne, Eoin Kelly, John Mullane and Ken McGrath. Yet tensions between the players and manager built up in 2007/2008, culminating in a frustrated Dan famously refusing to shake Justin's hand in public. McCarthy resigned and was replaced by Davy Fitzgerald, who led Waterford to the 2008 All-Ireland Final.Dan's charisma and extraordinary goal-scoring ability earned him a place in Waterford hearts. His goal in extra time in the 2010 Munster Final against Cork proved what a vital player he remained, and was a fitting climax to a great career. He retired from inter-county hurling shortly after.A tattoo on Dan's arm If you don't know me, don't judge me. It's a testament to Dan's determination to succeed in the face of adversity.

232 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2010

Reviews

[Bullpost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the book, I'm happy to pronounce judgement on Dan as a grand lad. Someone you would be look forward to sitting down with over a few pints in his local in Lismore. Of course he was also a great hurler, but then I knew that before I read the book.
The swagger of the larger than life, tattooed Waterford players of whom Dan was a central character, was not to everyone's liking. The book covers Dan's period playing with one of the most entertaining bunch of players to ever grace the game. They caught the public imagination in a way hitherto unknown in a sport more readily associated with humility and stoicism.
There are no major revelations in the book but it does give a good insight into the progression of the team from perennial also-rans to serious contenders in an era which saw the sport evolve to near-professional standard. They had the misfortune to come of age at the same time as two of the greatest teams ever to play, Cork and Kilkenny. They never achieved the ultimate goal and perhaps they are fated to go down in history as the best team never to win an All-Ireland final.