RTE’s South East correspondent Damien Tiernan is to put pen to paper for a second time, with the hurlers of Waterford to be the focus of his attention this time around.
Tiernan’s first book, ‘Souls of the Sea’, which dealt with the ‘Pere Charles’, ‘Honey Dew II’ and ‘Renegade’ trawler tragedies, was well-received for its sensitive treatment of a dark chapter in our recent history.
But book number two, provisionally titled ‘The Ecstasy and the Agony’, promises to be an altogether different project, providing a fresh perspective on the Deise’s past hurling decade.
The book is set to focus on the three Waterford teams of the era – each one has its secrets and its moments of ecstasy and agony, according to Damien.
“It’ll delve into the psyche of one of the greatest groups of hurlers that has yet to win an All-Ireland title,” he said.
The book will also reveal how Waterford managed to realise ambitions not attained in half a century for a county starved of success, for a people crying out for more.
Damien, who still lines out in the footballing colours of Gaultier, is looking forward to the different challenge ‘The Ecstasy and the Agony’ shall undoubtedly provide.
“To write about this particular team, playing one of the most exciting field sports in the world in a decade when that sport was arguably never stronger in its 125 year history, will prove a great privilege,” he added.
“And while this is the story of Waterford hurling, at its heart it’s not just a story about one team – it’s the story of any team that’s chasing their ultimate ambition, a story that players all over the county will surely relate to.”
It’s a story many Waterford fans, and hurling supporters in general, will look forward to reading.