Second City: The Fall, Death and Rise of Cork City FC. Part Two: Season 2009

‘Second City,’ is the follow up to Neal Horgan’s critically acclaimed account of Cork City FC’s 2008 season, entitled ‘Death of a Football Club?’

Enter the turbulent dressing room at Cork City FC in 2009 as Neal Horgan and his teammates fight for their careers during a bizarre and fateful season. Witness the players' ‘annus horribilis’ of bounced cheques, delayed payments, pay cuts and evictions.

Then, suddenly, a message carried down from the top of the bus. Someone near the card school heard it and it got relayed to us at the back: ‘Christ – they’re saying the bus driver won’t drive up, and that we have to get off.’

‘You’re f**king kidding!’ exclaimed Muzza.

But Murph answered, ‘No Muz, it’s true. Tommy’s the one saying it. They haven’t been paid and are refusing to move until it’s resolved.’

There was a mixture of excitement and bewilderment all around.

‘What the f**k are we gonna do?’ asked Muzza.

Praise for Second City

Alan Smith, The Guardian

This book is not just a must-read for League of Ireland supporters but an account that any football fan should read.

Daniel McDonnell, The Irish Independent

The most entertaining and insightful account of the life of a League of Ireland footballer that you will ever read.

Liam Mackey, The Irish Examiner

...a love letter to the enduring power of dressing room solidarity – not to mention the benefits of gallows humour – in the face of almost daily adversity.

Emmet Malone, The Irish Times

I laughed a lot only for it dawn on me more than once that I should have been crying...Anyone, regardless of their club loyalties, who wants to know what is really going on in the game they love should read it too. That they’ll enjoy the read immensely might be considered a bonus.

Open the dressing room door. Reveal the chaos. Buy Second City today!