Deenihan joins old rival JBM for book launch

JIMMY DEENIHAN, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and former Kerry All-Ireland-winning captain, launched his book, My Sporting Life, last night in Cork with the aid of a former opponent, Rebel County dual legend Jimmy Barry-Murphy.

Barry-Murphy and Deenihan had some noted duels in the Munster football championship during the 70s and were reunited at the River Lee Hotel for the launch of the book.

Revenue generated by sales of the book will benefit the Lartigue Restoration Project, which aims to restore a monorail system in north Kerry.

Deenihan has been involved with the project for the past 13 years; it originally cost €2 million and now has just over €40,000 left to pay off.

Deenihan won five All-Irelands with the Kingdom, including the 1981 title when he captained the side to victory over Offaly. He sustained a serious leg injury the following year which effectively ended his inter-county career, whereupon he turned his attention to politics.

Nominated to the Seanad in 1983, Deenihan was elected to the Dáil in 1987 as a Fine Gael representative for North Kerry and has retained his seat ever since. He served as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry from 1994 to 1997 and was appointed Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht after this year’s general election.

“We’re hoping to make some money from the book to pay off the last €40,000 outstanding on the project,” said Deenihan last night.

“The people of Cork have always been very good to us so hopefully we’ll sell a couple of hundred copies.”

The book’s Kerry launch featured Deenihan’s legendary manager with the Kingdom, Mick O’Dwyer, while the forthcoming Dublin launch, to be held tonight, will have Tony Hanahoe of the great Dubs team of the 70s performing the honours.