A host of GAA stars have gotten behind a well-known Laois man as his new book hits shelves today.
Declan Kirby GAA Star: Championship Journey is the first book in a series created by Killenard native Michael Egan.
A teacher by professional, Egan, who also created Laois GAA TV, says the adventures of main character Declan Kirby are ideal for GAA loving children aged 7-12 and are suitable for reluctant readers too.
A huge amount of GAA stars have gotten behind the book with Philly Mc Mahon, Tomás O Sé, Stevie McDonnell, Andy Moran, Kevin Feely, Paddy Bradley, Noelle Healy, Mark McHugh, Eoin Cadogan, Shane Curran, Benny Coulter and Gary Sice all agreeing to promote it.
While the Laois lads have not been found wanting either with Kieran Lillis, John O’Loughlin, Evan O’Carroll, Colm Begley and Gareth Dillion all on board.
Rory O’Connor of Rorys Stories has also agreed to help with promotion while Marie Crowe, who hosts the show Game On on 2FM, will also be giving away a book on her show in the coming weeks.
Michael said: “Anyone that knows me knows that I’m fairly sociable and I’d love to be around to sign books but I spoke to the PR team and a formal launch is totally out due to all the Covid restrictions but nevertheless we’ll get the word out there and hopefully people will back our message.
“I hope that my books will get reluctant readers in particular excited about reading.
“Sometimes you have children who are very active. You give them a football or a hurl and sliotar and they’d be out the back for an hour, but to get them to read for 20 minutes can be sometimes be difficult.
“But if you can create a subject matter that they are interested in that is going to hopefully be a vehicle for parents and teachers to get children to read more.”
The book will be available to buy from many stores in Laois including Allbooks, The Bookmark (both in Lyster Square and the Laois Shopping Centre), Whelehans Newsagents in Portarlington and all SuperValus in Laois.
While Allbooks are doing a buy one get one half price in store offer only.
For anyone who is outside of Laois, books will be available from
Easons, Bookstation, books.ie, Dubray and Bookcentre.
Book two, Declan Kirby GAA Star – Away Days, is due to be out on April 30 with books three and four out later in the year around the Autumn time.
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