Rala: My Life in Rugby

O'Reilly, Patrick

ISBN 10: 1444743325 / ISBN 13: 9781444743326

Published by Hachette Books Ireland (edition ), 2015

About this Item

It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting.

Seller Inventory # 1444743325-11-1

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Rala: My Life in Rugby
• Publisher: Hachette Books Ireland (edition )
• Publication Date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1444743325
• ISBN 13: 9781444743326
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

Irish rugby as you've never seen it before—from the man who got the job every rugby lover wants to have

Patrick 'Rala' O'Reilly has been Bag Man to the Irish Rugby team for nearly twenty years.  Loved and respected by players and coaches past and present, here Rala tells of his life in rugby—the highs and lows, the players, the pranks, and the great memories of Irish rugby. In this own imitable style and humor, Rala describes his early days as Bag Man for Terenure College RFC, supplying fruit for the squad from his wife's parents' fruit and veg shop on Meath Street, the lasting friendships he's made throughout the years from Keith Wood to the "Claw" to Brian O'Driscoll and Jamie Heaslip and many other players, coaches, managers, and backroom staff—Irish and international both. With humor and Dublin wit he describes his love for Inis Boffin, his wife Dixie, his gradual succession to Bag Man for the Irish Squad and being chosen to tour with the Lions in South Africa in 2009. From wine gums to spare shoes to the music the lads listen to in their iPods the night before matches, this is Irish rugby as you've never seen it before—and the story of how one man from Inchicore becomes the unsung hero of Irish rugby. From locker room antics to touring in South Africa with the Lions to Ireland's historic Grand Slam title in 2009 to match choices, team players, and coaches, this is an inside story of rugby from the man who's seen it all.

About the Author

Patrick O'Reilly has been Baggage Master to the Irish Senior team for nearly twenty years, during which time he has toured every major rugby-playing nation, and attended three World Cup tournaments. In 2009 Rala was appointed Baggage Master for the British and Irish Lions.