Until Victory Always

by Jim McGuinness

Destined to become a classic, Until Victory Always is McGuinness's unforgettable and highly personal account of his years at the helm of the Donegal football team. The team was a wounded thing when McGuinness took over as manager in 2010, only to win three Ulster championships and the All-Ireland titles of 2012, by the time he stepped down four years later. Confessional, moving, funny, and fiercely honest, this memoir is at once the epic story of one team's audacious bid to rewrite its destiny and one man's moving testament to the power of sport to sustain us in our darkest moments.

Genres: Biography

304 pages, Hardcover

First published October 30, 2015

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Equally entertaining and heartbreaking, Jim McGuinness' book takes a few pages to get going, but once it does, it is as insightful a read as you'll get into one of the most charismatic and resilient Irish sports figures in living memory. Only a basic grasp of the ins and outs of Gaelic football is required, and Jim's story will interest anyone who is even remotely curious about the psychology of groups, teambuidling, sports, personal growth, planning, and dismantling the negative expectations of doubters and nay-sayers. McGuinness, having experienced no small amount of personal tragedy, would have plenty of reasons to be bitter, but the overall takeaway of the book is energising and positive, and it's hugely impressive to get a glimpse of his unflinching focus and innate ability to motivate those around him.

[Shane Carmody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely if ever do reviews of books. This book caught me off guard somewhat. The way it’s written is mesmerising and keeps you pinned by your collar to stay with it. McGuiness has been criticised as a Gaelic football killer but he found a way to win with a talented team against tough opposition. The personal tragedy he experienced and overcame is phenomenal and I view him in a very different light now. An amazing book.

[Shane Mulcahy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the best autobiographies from an Irish sporting figure. McGuinness is an intriguing individual - incredibly intelligent and thoughtful, yet absolutely ruthless in his decision-making. Well worth a read.

[SHR · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘People are afraid. People are afraid just to leave it out there in case they are judged negatively. It is human nature. We hold back even though the most exhilarating and liberating thing you can do in your life is to just put yourself out there.’

[Paul McCormack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super read. Duggan is a superb writer

[Fraggle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliantly told story

[Killian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating tale of one of GAA's most compelling characters, detailing his first stint as Donegal manager

[Mark Cullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourites of all time. Great insight into a major achievement

[G M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A football fanatic who achieved great things. Loved hearing the insight of this group that did incredible things in those 3 years.

[James Roulston Mooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the structure and use of local lingo. Emotionally strong and entertaining.

[Jolene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The only thing I didn’t like was the layout! There is no chapters. The layout does make sense for the book it is though. But it was hard to force myself (I suck at starting books) to sit down and delve into the world of Jim McGuinness and Donegal football. I found it hard sometimes to keep track where the scene was taking place. Kind of like, one paragraph you’re at a match in 2012 and then the next you’re back at a different match 20 years ago.

As a Mayo fan who stayed behind after losing the All Ireland to Donegal, to watch Donegal lift the Sam Maguire and hear the fans sing “Jimmy’s Winning Matches”, I was excited read this. As well as getting the managers insights (since I live with a football manager), not just a player whinging why he didn't start like some other Gaelic books released… I can’t believe Cass did that. Disgraceful.

"We know the world hates it and we don't care. It is working" After supporting Mayo throughout the years, I can understand this. If Mayo were to play the worst game of football ever, but we won the All Ireland, it would be the best game ever for us!!

I was expecting this book, to just be about the game. But it ended up being such an emotional and raw read. Jim McGuinness really brings the reader into his life. He shows us the highs but also the crushing lows. It really makes you think and appreciate life.
And there was some warm moments in this book, of the stories belonging to a community, the football family.
It was such an emotional moment when he gets his jersey for making County Minor that he worked towards since his brother died! The pain he went through loosing to brothers, I don't even want to imagine. And reading how Mark died, would make the biggest religious sceptic, a believer! Absolutely eery. "Mark was born on the bell of the six o'clock Angelus" "As soon as we hit the tree, the noon Angelus bell began to chime. The radio hadn't been on in the car".
This book is a rollercoaster of emotions. I am enjoying the journey of the football team, and all of a sudden I'm bawling crying due to his family's personal tragedies. And then you're smiling again at a funny memory, like yer man eating the toothpaste in the Oreo.

Everyone said this was a must read (even non-readers!) and they were right! Now I can't wait for the GAA season to start!

Some of my favourite lines from the book:
"You haven't got it. You are soft. We hadn't the courage to look them in the eye and take them on and keep going until the final, final whistle."
"It is a really exhilarating thing to say to yourself, "I don't know if I am going to be able to do this, but I am going to give it everything '. That is called being alive, being absolutely alive for that minute."
“Life doesn't work in straight lines”
"Sure what would you know about it, short arse?"
"Twenty-six! Sure I have bras aulder than that"
"The clock was ticking. We had to make every single on those days count"

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Until Victory Always' is a memoir, written by Jim McGuinness that covers his tenure as Donegal Manager (2011-2014). The book has four chapters; 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014.
As well as providing details of his managerial career from these years, McGuinness provides details of his personal life and early years.

The book is a highly personal and brutally honest account of McGuinness' life and time as Donegal manager. McGuiness isn't afraid to touch on subjects close to bone, such as the death of his brothers and his difficulty of obtaining the Donegal senior manager position. The book provides a comprehensive insight into McGuinness' regime and explains why Donegal rose to the level that they did. One problem I found with the book was that it got a bit tedious at times, and some irrelevant parts were dragged out a little too much.

Overall, the book is a must read for anybody (even non GAA supporters). McGuinness is an inspirational, fascinating character who deserves admiration for all his efforts he put into Donegal GAA (and I'm saying this as a Tipperary man)

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Sensational........a great story well told.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved everything in this book. Well written.