Liam's book on Mayo's GAA journey is proving a real hit

Mayo's historic All-Ireland football triumph has inspired a new book by Ballinrobe journalist and author Liam Horan, who visited Daily's on Main Street, Claremorris, last week for a reading and discussion about his newly published work, I Can See It Still.

The book, which has already reached number four on The Irish Times Paperback Non-Fiction Bestseller List, is Liam's personal account of more than five decades following Mayo football, through the disappointments, controversies, changing fortunes and, ultimately, the county's long-awaited All-Ireland success in 2026.

Liam has experienced Mayo football from almost every conceivable angle. A lifelong supporter and former player, he has worked as a local and national journalist, served as a club officer, chaired the committee responsible for the controversial Mayo GAA Strategic Plan in 2010-11 and spent five years as communications manager with the Mayo senior football team under two different managements.

Those experiences provided the material for a book that he had never intended to write.

“The book was conceived about four days after the All-Ireland final,” Liam told the Western People. “I thought I'd never write a book about Mayo from being involved. You couldn't just be in there and think about all the stories and do the 'kiss and tell' type thing.” 

His involvement with the Mayo team gave him access to stories and experiences that were never intended for public consumption, and he was determined to respect that confidence.

“I spoke to some people involved in certain stories and said, 'Do you mind if I tell that story?' and they said, 'No problem.' Other people said, 'I'd prefer if you didn't tell that story.' And I respected that.” 

Liam believes there must be limits to what someone who has worked within a county team should subsequently reveal.

“I do believe there is a kind of sacrosanct nature to the dressing room and the set-up, that you shouldn't just come out and tell all the stories.” 

 The decision to write came entirely after Mayo's victory.

“I had nothing prepared beforehand. I had no idea about writing a book. I didn't think Mayo would win the All-Ireland on the day. And I was moved to write a book.” 

Once he started, the writing progressed rapidly.

“I was writing early mornings and set the target of 70,000 words. I ended up writing 78,000 words. Townland Press is my own publishing house, so I'm down that road as well. It's been a hectic few months, but very enjoyable.” 

The book was printed locally by Probe Print in Ballinrobe. The finished work is not intended as an official history of Mayo football. Instead, it records the county's fortunes as Liam witnessed them from the terraces, press boxes, dressing rooms and committee rooms.

“It's a sort of Mayo football during my lifetime, as I witnessed it, be it as a supporter, reporter, being involved a bit in the team, the Mayo GAA Strategic Plan, reporting at local level and reporting at national level. It's all those years of Mayo football through my eyes. But it does cover all the big games, all the finals obviously, and other big games.” 

Liam acknowledged that Mayo's All-Ireland victory had created an appetite for books about the county's football history.

“ House of Pain by Keith Duggan, probably cornered the other market, which is, Mayo not winning the All-Ireland, and cornered it very well, whereas Mayo winning the All-Ireland opened up a whole new market.” 

Liam said the response to his book had been encouraging, with readers taking the time to write to him.

“I've got some nice letters in the post from people. Got another lovely one today, one yesterday. It has reached the bestseller charts for The Irish Times and Sunday Independent, and it has been well received. Hopefully it will continue to be well received into Christmas.” 

The Claremorris event was hosted by Caroline Cosgrove at Daily's XL on Main Street, where the programme included a reading by the author followed by questions and discussion.

“We have done a few book launches now, but this one is different in that it's an actual reading and questions and answers and discussion afterwards,” Caroline said.

Caroline welcomed the opportunity to host Liam, who has strong connections with Claremorris, and believes the growing number of books dealing with Mayo's football success will benefit local bookshops.

“They're all different. They all have their unique perspective on it,” she said. “I like to support local authors and local people, even in the kids' section, I think we have three or four local authors. And we have another stunning photographic book that I've just taken in.”

Caroline and her husband Mark have operated Daily's at Silverbridge Shopping Centre for 20 years. Last year they expanded their business by opening Daily's XL in the former Smyth's premises on Main Street, a building with a long association with retailing in Claremorris and the origins of the Smyth's Toys business.

The new premises includes a book section, and the Cosgroves have been developing it as a venue for local author events and book launches.

Caroline acknowledged that the book trade has changed considerably, particularly with the movement of schoolbook sales directly to schools, but she remains convinced that independent bookshops have an important place in towns such as Claremorris.

“Business has been good since we opened. It's been consistent. We're happy with it,” she said.

“The market is very different since we opened our other shop twenty years ago. The environment is different but I still think there's room for a good bookshop in a town.” 

Caroline also believes that bookshops can contribute to the social and commercial life of town centres, providing places where people can browse, meet and attend events.