Relentless: The Inside Story of the Cork Ladies Footballers

by Mary White

Relentless tells the story of the rise of Cork ladies football over the past decade. From having never won a senior title in the county’s 31-year history of the sport, to winning Ten All-Ireland titles in 11 years, nine National League titles and 10 Munster titles, one man changed everything.

Eamonn Ryan stepped in to coach at a time when the senior set-up was in disarray. Along with manager Mary Collins, Cork football was transformed to begin a legacy they could never have imagined.

But, it wasn’t all plain sailing. From the passing of their statsman, Tim Murphy, to cancer in 2008, to a shock loss against Tyrone in the 2010 All-Ireland quarter-final as they bid for six in-a-row, a year of resolve in 2013, and the most incredible of comebacks ever witnessed in Croke Park in 2014. And of course becoming the first female sports team to be publicly voted as RTÉ Sports Team of the Year.

This is the story behind the scenes of the Cork ladies footballers and what makes them one of the best teams ever in history of Irish sport.

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2015

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name on GR

Reviews

[Ger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This generation of Cork Ladies Footballers were the greatest team in the history of Ladies Football. I've been lucky enough to witness that incredible journey. My own cherished memories were watching the finals with my mother who has since passed away. This book is the book the team deserved. Mary White's love and enthusiasm for the game practically leaped off the page. It's a must read for any fan of the GAA.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant - like the team itself. What a group.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This true story is what dreams are made of and dreams like these inspire Hollywood movies.
Fantastic to finally read a book about the greatest sports team we have ever and undoubtedly ever will have, in Ireland.
This Cork ladies football team was transformed in two years from a losing, disinterested, unmotivated, unfit and bored group into a team who made history in 2005 by winning Cork‘s first ever senior All-Ireland final.
With the introduction in 2003 of Eamonn Ryan as their new coach and Mary Collins as manager, Cork went on to win a total of 10 All Irelands in the space of 11 years.

A truly inspirational book, one does not have to be a Gaelic football fan to enjoy and learn from this story.
One merely has to be human with a desire to be inspired.
We learn about loyalty, respect, courtesy, teamwork and determination.
We learn that the very basics of good manners can lead to greatness.
Being friends, being honest, supporting each other in all aspects of life, these are the little things which by example have created success for this team.
Any team can train and try new techniques but what makes this team different is the way they communicate with their coach and with each other.
A pleasure to read, I have been inspired by these wonderful women, thank you all so much for your huge sacrifices and for sharing your story with us through the words of your friend and former teammate, Mary White.
The only problem now is that I have to find a way to view all those All-Irelands again!!
My father who is 80 and probably the Rebelettes biggest fan, says this is the best book he has ever read in his life, an example of the joy this team has brought into the lives of others.

[Nial · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenal read that should be read by every sports fan.If this was fiction or a movie, people would not believe it! To come from nowhere, to dominating ladies football and being the greatest sports team ever. I watched them live and would think they surely can't win this one but they always powered home at the end.

Interesting to read about the training they did and how everyone worked together to get results.It's great to have an exact record of how it all happened.