Irish Sport Book of the Year:Paul McGrath's harrowing tale of his lifelong battle with alcoholism won the first Irish Sport Book of the Year award today.
The autobiography, Back From The Brink, written with the assistance of journalist Vincent Hogan, has been described as both candid and brilliant by independent reviewers.
The former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland centre half said he was delighted to be given the award and spoke of how difficult it was to recall some of the darkest periods in his life.
"It's absolutely fantastic. It's great to be given such a prestigious award and I'm delighted with Vincent Hogan who wrote the book. He did all the leg work," the former Ireland star said.
"It was very difficult to read it back. There were some very dark things in it but it was good for me as well because it's all there and hopefully it will do me good to keep well."
Sports Minister John O'Donoghue presented McGrath with the award and praised him for telling his story.
"Paul McGrath holds a special place in most Irish hearts for the stirring performances he produced in an Irish jersey at a time when our football team held major sway on a world stage," the minister said.
"The brutal nature of the internal battles that consumed him through those days and since makes for compelling reading, which provides a unique insight into the man behind the personality."
Ghost writer and sports journalist Vincent Hogan added: "People thought they knew Paul McGrath, actually they didn't know the detail in his story, but it's also the fact that the story is told with harrowing honesty.
"In many respects Paul thought that this would be cathartic, and in many respects it has been."
Hogan also praised McGrath for sticking with the often difficult task of recalling his battles with alcohol.
The book beat a strong shortlist of the biographies of jockey Timmy Murphy and International Rules manager Sean Boylan, as well as books from Irish Times journalists Tom Humphries and Paddy Agnew, and Alan English's review of Munster's road to Heineken Cup glory.
Humphries' book Dublin v Kerrylooked back on the great Gaelic football rivalry between the two counties, while Agnew's Forza Italiadocumented the tumultuous world Italian football.
William Hill established the original Sports Book of the Year Award in London in 1989 and this year will celebrate its 18th year. This is the inaugural Irish award.