They say it takes a village to raise a child and a book isn’t much different. My thanks to the From The Well Anthology 2017 (Smoke in the Rain and Other Short Stories) and The Honest Ulsterman for previously publishing versions of ‘Angels’ and ‘Fandom in The Context of Darren O’Sullivan, Cork Hurler’ respectively.
Several people have read some or all of the book and I want to thank them. First of all, Mary Morrissy gave me invaluable guidance and support when I first put it together. Madeleine D’Arcy supervised my MA in Creative Writing dissertation in UCC – whence this book emerged – and she was a wonderful supervisor and mentor.
My writers’ group have been great friends, advisors and supporters and they are an ongoing godsend. They are Anna Foley, Mark Kelleher and Eileen O’Donoghue.
Thomas McCarthy read an early draft and his inspiration and advice was invaluable.
Thank you so much to my other readers and advisors, including Ciara Coakley, David O’Callaghan, Declan Evans, Norma Coakley, Dermot Coakley, Colm Coakley, Úna Ní Cheallaigh, Mary Harrington, Billy O’Callaghan, Holly Cooney, Anna O’Herlihy, Mary O’Herlihy, Donna O’Leary, Adrian Connolly, Walter Wynne, Margaret von Mensenkampff, Armorel Manasseh, Niamh Kindlon, Mary Minnock, Martin O’Donovan and Triona Ryan. Apologies if I’ve forgotten anyone.
Heartfelt thanks to all at Mercier Press: Sharon O’Donovan, Deirdre Roberts, Wendy Logue and Alice Coleman, but especially Mary Feehan, Patrick O’Donoghue and Noel O’Regan for their faith that hurling and literature could be a good match. Noel’s sterling advice, encouragement and acute editing have been hugely beneficial to the work. Wendy’s keen eye and attention to detail have also been a great help.
I want also to thank my lecturers in The School of English, UCC, during my MA in Creative Writing: Dr Eibhear Walshe, Professor Jools Gilson and especially Mary Morrissy, who taught me three fiction-related modules.
Thanks too to all my classmates and fellow-writers in UCC, for their critiquing, collegiality and friendship during the year: Beth Buchanan, Ed Cashman, Jenni DeBie, Robert Feeney, Anna Foley, Colm Furlong, Kathleen Hickson, Nicole Johnson, Alison Kavanagh, Mark Kelleher, Sam Lai, Rosi Lalor, Megs McHenry, Mira Mason-Reader, Julian Munoz, Una Ní Cheallaigh, Eileen O’Donoghue, Aoife O’Leary, Conor Roswell, Dominik Shultz, Nora Shychuk and Kelly Warburton.
Above all, love and gratitude to Ciara and my family, who have given me so much support down through the years.