Trevor Brennan's Heart and Soul, which details the rugby player's career from one of Ireland's most talented forwards to his five-year ban from the sport, was today announced as a contender for a major book award.
The book, written in conjunction with Irish Times rugby correspondent Gerry Thornley, is up against competition from 17 other sporting titles for the William Hill Irish Sports Book of the Year.
The winner will be announced in December when a judging panel of top names from the world of sport, including Eamon Dunphy and George Hook, will select a title from a shortlist of the 18.
Tony Kenny of William Hill said: "There is a formidable line-up of books for this year's award and this shows the depth and quality of sports writing that is being produced in this country.
"Whoever wins this year's William Hill Irish Sports Book of the Year Award will be a very worthy recipient," he said.
Other titles include Oisin McConville's The Gambler, which tells the autobiographical story of the gambling addiction which left the Armagh footballer with debts of more than £100,000.
Jack O'Connor's Keys to the Kingdom, which details O'Connor's three years in charge of the Kerry Football team where he delivered two All-Ireland Championships, and Mick O'Dwyer's autobiography Blessed and Obsessed are also on the shortlist.