Dunne’s book tells the good, bad and ugly

WEXFORD hurling legend Liam Dunne has set a November launch date for his controversial biography, "I Crossed the Line."

According to co-author Damien Lawlor, the work promises to be “frank and contentious, along similar lines to his lengthy career at inter-county and provincial level.”

Dunne was regarded as one of the best hurlers in the country but his career was both illuminated by success and dogged by controversy.

Renowned for his classy play - as a centre-back and later wing-back - he won every honour in the game, including three Allstar awards, an All-Ireland medal in 1996, two Leinster and two Railway Cup medals.

In addition, he inspired his club, Oulart-the-Ballagh to their first county title in 1994, later helping them to win two more championships.

But he also became known as one of the ‘bad boys’ in the GAA, following a number of controversial sending-offs.

He was accused by Limerick hurling followers of breaking Gary Kirby’s fingers in the 1996 All-Ireland final and putting their chief marksman out of the game.

Later in 2002, he made history by becoming the first senior inter-county hurler to be sent off in three successive championships - following high profile clashes with John Troy, Brian O’Meara and Martin Comerford.

His infamous joust with O’Meara cost the Tipperary man an All-Ireland final appearance.

But the Comerford incident proved the most serious. After that red card, Dunne lost confidence, gave up hurling and reveals that he drank a lot.

In his book, Dunne frankly recounts those dark days and tells how a meeting with Liam Griffin helped get his life and career back on track.

On his return to the team he played the best hurling of his life and was voted Wexford ‘Hurler of the Year’ in 2003.

*“I Crossed the Line” is co-written by Star GAA Correspondent Damian Lawlor and is published by Sliabh Ban Ltd.