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The Double:: How Cork Made GAA History
The greatest achievement in GAA history finally gets its due: Adrian Russell's The Double is a singular triumph. - Michael Moynihan
On 16 September 1990, Cork’s footballers ran out on the Croke Park pitch chasing immortality. The Rebel County hurlers, watching on from the Hogan Stand in suits, had won an unlikely All-Ireland a fortnight earlier; their thrilling final victory over Galway capped a hugely fun come-from-nowhere season. Now, if Billy Morgan’s footballers could overcome their rivals in Meath, they’d secure sporting history for the county; a Senior All-Ireland double.
After hitting a historically low ebb the previous year, the hurlers arrived with a bang led by a hurling fanatic priest. Fr Michael O’Brien built his by plucking players from relative obscurity, coaxing old stars back into action and trusting young guns to make a name for themselves.
Billy Morgan’s footballers, meanwhile, were a tight-knit, well-travelled side by the summer of 1990. A cast of strong characters, including Larry Tompkins, Niall Cahalane and Dave Barry, who trained hard and partied just as hard, they ended Kerry football's hopes, before running into the Meath machine. Cork were defending champions but questions remained: could they back it up when the pressure was piled on by the hurlers’ success?
In a long summer that saw the nation celebrate Ireland’s Italia ’90 success, Cork made its own sporting history. The Double is the story of how they pulled it off.
On 16 September 1990, Cork’s footballers ran out on the Croke Park pitch chasing immortality. The Rebel County hurlers, watching on from the Hogan Stand in suits, had won an unlikely All-Ireland a fortnight earlier; their thrilling final victory over Galway capped a hugely fun come-from-nowhere season. Now, if Billy Morgan’s footballers could overcome their rivals in Meath, they’d secure sporting history for the county; a Senior All-Ireland double.
After hitting a historically low ebb the previous year, the hurlers arrived with a bang led by a hurling fanatic priest. Fr Michael O’Brien built his by plucking players from relative obscurity, coaxing old stars back into action and trusting young guns to make a name for themselves.
Billy Morgan’s footballers, meanwhile, were a tight-knit, well-travelled side by the summer of 1990. A cast of strong characters, including Larry Tompkins, Niall Cahalane and Dave Barry, who trained hard and partied just as hard, they ended Kerry football's hopes, before running into the Meath machine. Cork were defending champions but questions remained: could they back it up when the pressure was piled on by the hurlers’ success?
In a long summer that saw the nation celebrate Ireland’s Italia ’90 success, Cork made its own sporting history. The Double is the story of how they pulled it off.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2019
4 people are currently reading
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About the author
Adrian Russell
11 books3 followersRussell was born in London, but as a young baby his parents moved him out of London to Hertfordshire, England and then to a small village in Essex where he grew up until he moved back to London to begin his working career.
Adrian Russell began his career as a Chartered Accountant, qualifying in the West End of London. In his latter career he has been an entrepreneur running a number of different businesses.
Russell came to writing later in life and began writing his first novel when he was in his late forties.
Adrian Russell moved to live near the New Forest and Bournemouth, which is where he began his writing career. This is where he lives with his wife Jo and their dog Missie and cat Lilly.
Adrian Russell began his career as a Chartered Accountant, qualifying in the West End of London. In his latter career he has been an entrepreneur running a number of different businesses.
Russell came to writing later in life and began writing his first novel when he was in his late forties.
Adrian Russell moved to live near the New Forest and Bournemouth, which is where he began his writing career. This is where he lives with his wife Jo and their dog Missie and cat Lilly.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 13, 2021
This is a wonderful book and brought back so many great childhood memories. The concept for the book was excellent and the author has crafted the story in a manner that provides a seamless transition between the two teams. The stories of the players and those involved are weaved together in an expert manner. A must-read for any Cork GAA fan.
May 8, 2020
Wonderfully written book that really brings you into the Cork Camp throughout the late 80s and Early 90s. Really enjoyed the input from players and the side stories that really show how human the sport is!
February 19, 2020
A fantastic read about how Cork GAA did the double. Being from Cork I remember it well and is a great sporting memory. This book is brilliantly written and is a a great read.
January 7, 2020
This brings back memories of my teenage days. Finally beating the savages from Meath in an All Ireland Final. Beating Galway again in an All Ireland final. It's well written and well researched. No other county has done the double, Cork has done it twice.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews