Each autumn brings a strong roster of sporting book offerings – plenty of autobiographies, certainly, but just as many that offer something different and stimulating. Below is a selection of my top picks that standout for their storytelling, insight and sheer passion for sport.

Rugby

Cloud Nine: My Life in Rugby by Conor Murray Published by Reach, €26.99

In this year’s rugby union releases three personal stories were shortlisted for the Sports Book of The Year Award, though, perhaps surprisingly, only one of those was by somebody recently retired.

Conor Murray’s Cloud Nine: My Life in Rugby with Tommy Conlon, garnered some headlines upon its release for being critical of former Munster coach Graham Rowntree but there is a lot of depth to it, too.

Of most interest to Munster fans will be the insight into the province’s slippage from being a regular contender from European honours to one of the also-rans and how, even as a senior player with such a standing in the game, Murray and others didn’t always have their concerns taken on board.

Heart on My Sleeve: My story of struggle and strength by Andrew Porter Published by Eriu, €26.99

First contacted by the publisher after speaking on the Netflix documentary Full Contact about the loss of his mother Wendy when he was 12, Irish rugby star, Andrew Porter took convincing to tell his story. But, with co-author Alison Walsh and former international footballer turned psychotherapist Richard Sadlier, he has delved beyond the usual, ‘We won this game, we lost that game’ pattern to bare all, making this a different kind of book.

The Only Way I Know by Andy Farrell Published by Sandycove, €29.99

Current international coach Andy Farrell is also releasing a book when the story (hopefully) has more to go, but The Only Way I Know gives a deep insight into what has made him the way he is.

Farrell has met challenges throughout his life and you will likely come away with an even greater appreciation for someone already held almost-universally positively.

Touching Distance: Irish Rugby’s Battle with Great Expectations by Brendan Fanning Published by Gill, €18.99

Anyone who ever read Brendan Fanning on rugby in the Sunday Independent will know just what a good writer he is. His book tells the story of how the game of rubgy here has developed in line with the advent of professionalism.

It is no cheerleading tale, though: Fanning has always been fair and balanced and is not afraid to provide criticism where it is warranted.

Equally, his immersion in the sport for such a long time has provided insights and background information that the average punter will not have been aware of.

Track

The Race: The inside track on the ruthless world of elite athletics by David Gillick Published by Gill, €22.99

Pulling back the curtain on what life is like for a professional sports person outside of the very top bubble, David Gillick’s The Race, does just that. In his post-athletics career as a broadcaster for RTÉ, Gillick has been able to conduct marvellous interviews with athletes, no doubt helped by having been in a similar position.

Aided by the country’s top athletics journalist Cathal Dennehy, those qualities are to the fore in a self-examination sense as he is honest about all aspects of his quest for the top.

GAA

Ó Sé: A Kerry Family, A Football Dynasty by Marc Ó Sé, Published by Gill, €20.99

Gillick is nominated for the sports book award, as is former Kerry footballer Marc Ó Sé. Anybody who wins Footballer of The Year from corner-back, as well as five All-Irelands, can carry a book on their own but it says much about the man that in Ó Sé: A Kerry Family, A Football Dynasty, he, along with collaborator Adrian Russell, tells his own story as part of the wider epic that saw the clan from Ventry make such an impact on the sport.

More Than A Game: The GAA And Where It’s Going by Michael Moynihan Published by Gill, €18.99

There is an eclectic mix sure to keep GAA fans entertained in the small window between the club season ending and the 2026 inter-county campaign beginning. Michael Moynihan’s book examines a number of topics and you will probably draw a mix of positive and negative conclusions.

The Dodger: DJ Carey And The Great Betrayal

by Eimear Ní Bhraonáin Published by Merrion Press, €19.99

Your mileage may vary as to whether The Dodger: DJ Carey And The Great Betrayal by Eimear Ní Bhraonáin is a sports book, but it’s definitely jaw-dropping.

Football

The Changing Game: The Past, Present And Future of Football, by Martin O’Neill Published by Headline Publishing Group, €26.99

On the soccer front, it is rather quiet. Martin O’Neill is nominated for book of the year for The Changing Game: The Past, Present And Future of Football and your impression of the former Ireland manager, whether good or bad, is not likely to be shaken.

True Blue: The Alfie Hale Story by Alfie Hale with Dermot Keyes, Published by Choice Publishing, €20

Finally, in terms of a life story that may not be hugely well-known but deserves to be, True Blue: The Alfie Hale Story with Dermot Keyes will certainly leave you coming away with more knowledge than before of a time when football was not on such a high pedestal.

Proceeds of the book will go towards the senior community centre Assisi House in Waterford.