On the 19th September 1982 Kerry ran out in Croke Park chasing immortality. Victory over Offaly in the All-Ireland football final would secure them five titles in a row, a record certain never to be matched again.

It had taken Offaly six heartbreaking years under manager Eugene McGee to drag themselves up from their lowest ebb, but now they stood on the cusp of a glorious reward.

The result was a classic final that changed lives and dramatically altered the course of gaelic football history.

The Kings of September is an epic story of triumph and loss, joy and tragedy, a story of two teams who illuminated a grim period in Irish life and enthralled a nation.

if you haven’t read Kings of September by Michael Foley, you’ve missed out on one of the best GAA books around … well worth reading

‘the magnitude and magnificence of the day Seamus Darby made and shattered history was always going to be worth a book some day but that didn’t necessarily mean it would be served by a book worthy of it. Thankfully for everyone all round, especially future generations, Michael Foley would present Kings of September … what follows is not just history, but poetry’  

'This is a beautiful book and a brilliant piece of journalism.'

'Every so often a book comes along, in any genre, that leaves you wishing there was more as you reach the end. This is one of them . . . Great read. Great book.'

'Well worth spending time with.'

'Michael Foley has done an extraordinary job in getting inside the mindsets of the main participants in one of the most dramatic games the GAA has ever seen. This book certainly does justice to one of the greatest occasions in Irish sporting history.'

'It was one of the best All-Ireland finals in recent years. The book gives a great insight into the mindset and tactics of the different people involved in this great occasion. For any GAA fan it is a very good read.'

'A wonderfully original take on Offaly's dramatic and last-gasp victory'

'Weaves a story that is as compelling a read from a sporting book as you will find . . . I could not leave the book down.'

'entertaining and exhaustive retelling of the story . . .Not only has Foley brilliantly dissected the ebb and flow of the game almost on a second-by-second basis, but he has also managed to dig up all manner of long-forgotten yarns and ephemera pertaining to the final. Excellent account'

'I don't think I have ever read a better book on Gaelic games'

'Every so often a book comes along, in any genre, that leaves you wishing there was more as you reach the end. This is one of them . . . Great read. Great book.'

'This is a beautiful book and a brilliant piece of journalism.'

'With painstaking research, and over 50 interviews, Foley transports you back in time to brilliantly tell for the first time both sides of an unbelievable story'

'(Seamus) Darby, the goal and the era, are afforded the respect they deserve in this compelling work.'

'This book will be read within a couple of days because you just crave to see what is on the next page.'

'This is the story of ordinary men who did extraordinary things...this is as good as GAA books get.'

'Amazing stories, images and anecdotes to keep the reader entertained, informed and genuinely disappointed when the back cover is reached...A must-have for any genuine sport fan's collection'

'Well worth spending time with.'