The Autobiography

"Since the turn of the millennium, when Kilkenny established itself as the dominant force in hurling, one man has stood out- Henry Shefflin.a Now, the man who is widely regarded as the greatest hurler of all time tells his own story- an intensely personal, honest and self-questioning account of the fiercely driven man at the heart of a remarkable sequence of Kilkenny sides. Beneath the surface image of calm efficiency and effortless genius, his hurling life has included its share of bitter disappointments, agonizing injuries and self-doubt. Shefflin writes with warmth and candour of the great rivalries with Cork and Tipperary, the controversies, the injuries, the regrets, and the greatest days. He paints a nuanced portrait of his relationship with Brian Cody, of the dynamics within a team full of great players and personalities, and of the relationships that sustained him through his darkest times. What emerges is the testament of a man utterly committed to his craft, his community and his county- one of the truly great Irishmen of recent times. 'Shefflin . . . gives interesting insights into the mentality and culture which have powered the most dominant team in Irish men's sports over the last 15 years. He is also very honest about himself.' Christy O'Connor,aEvening Echo 'There is a compelling story in a young man's rise from the rural middle class of south Kilkenny to being one of our finest sportsmen. He became much more than a hurler . . . This memoir is cast in its author's likeness, honest but tactful, direct without being brusque.'aIrish Examiner "