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The Choice
When Dublin footballer Philly McMahon lost his older brother John in 2012, it brought to an end a painful decade, during which John had slipped from the family circle into a deteriorating cycle of addiction. The effects were personally devastating, but amidst the loss there was a glimmer of hope, of opportunity, and what ultimately became the starting point for a journey of remarkable self-discovery.In this profound and inspirational memoir, McMahon traces his and John's paths, from his earliest recollections of their childhood through the maelstrom of Ballymun's heroin epidemic. He considers the relationships, tensions, arguments and chance occurrences that pushed them in very different Philly to university, the boardroom and the hallowed turf of Croke Park; John to exile in London, heartbreak and, ultimately, tragedy.Raw, vivid and intensely moving, The Choice is many things – an epic story of triumph in the face of adversity and loss, a family saga, a tribute to the redemptive power of sport – but above all it's a stirring meditation on the roles compassion and resilience can play in shaping our lives, and those around us, for the better.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 13, 2017
37 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 4, 2018
An excellent book from start to finish. So inspirational. Being a Dubs fan, I’ve always liked Philly McMahon, but this book has brought my admiration of him and his achievements to a completely new level. He and his family have been dealt a very tough hand in life and Philly has overcome these challenges in a way I could only imagine if I found myself with such challenges. A must read for any sports fan. We have these people up on pedestals and we think they’re lives are perfect and that they’ve nothing to worry about but winning. Far from it. Well done Philly on sharing your story in such an incredible and inspirational way!
January 24, 2025
Extremely honest and moving book. Details the heroin epidemic in Ballymun in the 90’s so clearly and how two brothers from Ballymun went down two completely separate paths in life, one struggling with drug addiction, while the other fell in love with playing sports.
Philly McMahon is one of the Dublin greats of the last decade, but is often perceived as lots of things on the field (mainly in a negative light) but this book really gives an insight to who he is as a person and how much he has done for not only the community of Ballymun over the years, but also for the wider community of people suffering with drug addiction in Ireland. A true role model for any young athlete in Ireland, showing how shear determination and hard work pays off. Highly recommend 👍
Philly McMahon is one of the Dublin greats of the last decade, but is often perceived as lots of things on the field (mainly in a negative light) but this book really gives an insight to who he is as a person and how much he has done for not only the community of Ballymun over the years, but also for the wider community of people suffering with drug addiction in Ireland. A true role model for any young athlete in Ireland, showing how shear determination and hard work pays off. Highly recommend 👍
August 2, 2019
Moved me to tears
Don't know anything about GAA but thankfully this book was extremely well written. A meditation on brotherly love and the tragedy of drug addiction. I wept for John but ultimately this book is about the importance of connection with other people. Changed my perspective on addiction.
Don't know anything about GAA but thankfully this book was extremely well written. A meditation on brotherly love and the tragedy of drug addiction. I wept for John but ultimately this book is about the importance of connection with other people. Changed my perspective on addiction.
July 25, 2023
Wasn’t a good as I hoped but on the whole ok
April 1, 2018
I loved this book! I didn’t know too much about Philly and his story before I picked it up but I had it recommended to me by a friend. It was a superb read!
About 20 pages in, I couldn’t put it down. I read it in two days, and that’s pretty quick for me. Philly is so Open and honest from start to finish. He tells all the hard details on the pitch, with his family and in particular his brother John.
The story about John had me bawling! I feel so sad for the family and for what they went through, but it really made me think about drug addicts and my own lack of education on this social issue. Johns story really upset me. It’s so sad but so real.
What a super book! So sad, honest and inspiring!
About 20 pages in, I couldn’t put it down. I read it in two days, and that’s pretty quick for me. Philly is so Open and honest from start to finish. He tells all the hard details on the pitch, with his family and in particular his brother John.
The story about John had me bawling! I feel so sad for the family and for what they went through, but it really made me think about drug addicts and my own lack of education on this social issue. Johns story really upset me. It’s so sad but so real.
What a super book! So sad, honest and inspiring!
June 17, 2018
As a Dubs fan I knew that I would like this book.
However I think it would appeal to all. It's not all about the GAA.
Philly also discuss his upbringing in the Ballymun towers, the family loss and tragedy that would go onto influence what sort of man he would become.
I've heard people say this book should be on the English circulum and I'd agree. It's very inspiring and there are great lessons to be passed onto the younger generation here.
However I think it would appeal to all. It's not all about the GAA.
Philly also discuss his upbringing in the Ballymun towers, the family loss and tragedy that would go onto influence what sort of man he would become.
I've heard people say this book should be on the English circulum and I'd agree. It's very inspiring and there are great lessons to be passed onto the younger generation here.
June 21, 2025
Excellent read, has lots of topical points that every teenager should be aware and spoken about. I would have grown up with characters like the ones mentioned in the book and the choices that are made at a very early age often dictate the path they take later in life. Some are even no longer with us. I totally agree that it should be on the school curriculum and the topics discussed as early as may become relevant to them. I recommend this book to people of all ages and my own wife and teenagers have now read it also.
March 21, 2023
This book is a sad story about two brothers. The main character is Philly who is/was a football player and the book is filled with descriptions of games and matches which I didnt like. I found it a bit boring. Otherwise its well written and a good book. It also contains photographs which bring the characters to life. I didnt know who Philly McMahon was until having read the book and you leave it feeling admiration for the guy.
January 6, 2018
Good Choice
As sports books go this is a cut above most mainly because it spares us every kick of a ball in some tedious match of old .McMahon wisely dumps the! Gaa stats in favour of the real life sport that is survival in Ballymun Dublin. Philly saw the needle and the damage and outlived his slightly older brother to tell both their stories . Read and learn!
As sports books go this is a cut above most mainly because it spares us every kick of a ball in some tedious match of old .McMahon wisely dumps the! Gaa stats in favour of the real life sport that is survival in Ballymun Dublin. Philly saw the needle and the damage and outlived his slightly older brother to tell both their stories . Read and learn!
February 21, 2021
A brilliant book to read, it resonates with many even if you're not from Dublin or a Dublin fan I would highly recommend. The issues discussed are universal and I think it should be a book on the reading list of every school, as it has important messages about empathy, compassion and perseverance in it.
April 30, 2018
Ironically, the sport is the weak side of this sports 'biography'. The interesting parts is the different roads the author and his older brother (by 7 years) took in life. One is a successful businessman & sportsman the other died young having had a chaotic lifestyle.
March 7, 2019
100% recommend it. It shows that no matter what your circumstance, where you come from, what you've been through, you can choose to take the trodden path or you can choose to create your own pathand lead the way for others.
May 6, 2019
Outstanding.
This is so much more than a book about football. This is Philly's life journey from a challenging very background to becoming a sports, social and mental health hero,.
The one in the best sport autobiographies I've read.
(P.S. I'm not a Dub 😁)
This is so much more than a book about football. This is Philly's life journey from a challenging very background to becoming a sports, social and mental health hero,.
The one in the best sport autobiographies I've read.
(P.S. I'm not a Dub 😁)
September 9, 2019
I thought this book would have lots of football but thankfully it didn’t (as I am not a Dub). It gives a great insight in to life growing up in Ballymun. It is very well written and I really enjoyed it.
October 20, 2021
This is much more than a sportsbook. It offers an insight into probably the greatest GAA team of all time, but the real value of this book is in McMahon's personal story - his upbringing, his brother, and the experiences that have shaped him. I couldn't recommend this book highly enough.
December 27, 2021
I wasnt sure if I was going to be able to get into this as football isnt my thing, but it didnt matter. It's such a universal story for people from disadvantaged communities (Ballymun in this case) who experience family members suffering from addiction. Very inspiring story!
January 4, 2018
Heartrendingly honest. Made me laugh, made me cry. A great tribute to his late brother.
January 2, 2018
Great read. Didn’t put it down. Not just a sports book!
June 4, 2018
Brilliant and surprising read coming from a Monaghan supporter highly recommend
July 2, 2018
Class read.
Whatever about football never forgot his roots which is a lesson to any youngster in sport. Would love to get philly to chat to the kids in our club
Whatever about football never forgot his roots which is a lesson to any youngster in sport. Would love to get philly to chat to the kids in our club
July 3, 2018
Inspirational
Inspirational read..... you will love this book when if you're not a Dubs fan or a GAA fan. What an amazing young man Philly is
Inspirational read..... you will love this book when if you're not a Dubs fan or a GAA fan. What an amazing young man Philly is
September 9, 2018
Incredible read and not just for Dublin football fans or even any football fans but just an incredible and inspiring positive uplifting honest story. Thoroughly enjoyed
December 23, 2018
More than a sports book.
July 31, 2019
NI don't follow GAA very closely but loved this book.Sad and inspirational at the same time.
October 16, 2019
At times touching and tragic, the choice remains quite clearly a book that has been written by a footballer
February 18, 2020
Excellent insight into the mind of one of the toughest stars of Irish sport. Although sad in parts it is also filled with hope and inspiration. A terrific read.
May 1, 2020
Very raw and honest!
January 26, 2021
Refreshing Dublin story about trials and tribulations. Nice to see someone doing well and using that to help others. Enjoyed the story and the way it was written.
March 16, 2021
Brilliant. Couldn't put it down.
September 28, 2021
Much more insightful and poignant than the majority of sporting star autobiographies, in that it’s actually about something. 3.5
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews