Boomshakalaka: Winning Against the Odds
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Irish sporting legend Timmy McCarthy takes readers on an inspiring journey from his humble beginnings in Cork City to the commentary booths of the Olympic Games, becoming a national treasure and one of Ireland's most iconic sports figures.
More than just a sporting memoir, this is a human-interest story which takes readers on an unforgettable journey from the early days of growing up in Gurranabraher in Cork in the 1960s to becoming one of Ireland's most recognisable voices at Olympic Games for over 20 years.
McCarthy shares the highs and lows of a life built on love, passion, perseverance and courage, and how he ended up inspiring a nation in 2024. Boomshakalaka goes deep into his life, in addition to his media and sporting achievements, as it tells the story of family, community, resilience, love and how his insecurities drove him to achieve success in life and business despite the many hurdles he had to overcome.
It shares McCarthy's ongoing fight against a devasting prostate cancer disease since 2018 and how his mindset has helped him through it. It examines how he achieved a hugely successfully business career despite his background and educational challenges, and ended up holding top executive positions in the banking, insurance, and financial services sectors with household names such as Ulster One Direct, An Post, BUPA Ireland and Hello.ie.
On the sporting front, McCarthy is known for being one of Ireland's greatest ever basketball players, who played during the golden era of Irish basketball in the 1980s, and his incredibly successful coaching in the 1990s, which resulted in his Hall of Fame induction in 2023 with Basketball Ireland. McCarthy recalls electrifying games, fierce rivalries, and the brotherhood of sport in a career that saw him play over 100 times for Ireland, along with captaining and later coaching the team as well.
But his story does not end when the final buzzer sounds - McCarthy reinvented himself as a beloved commentator, bringing his unique energy and signature catchphrases like 'boomshakalaka, 'downtown' and 'coast to coast' into living rooms across the country. His infectious enthusiasm has captivated global audiences, with the New York Times profiling him during the 2024 Paris Olympics, stating 'Every four years he gives Ireland a reason to watch basketball.'
More than just a sporting memoir, this is a human-interest story which takes readers on an unforgettable journey from the early days of growing up in Gurranabraher in Cork in the 1960s to becoming one of Ireland's most recognisable voices at Olympic Games for over 20 years.
McCarthy shares the highs and lows of a life built on love, passion, perseverance and courage, and how he ended up inspiring a nation in 2024. Boomshakalaka goes deep into his life, in addition to his media and sporting achievements, as it tells the story of family, community, resilience, love and how his insecurities drove him to achieve success in life and business despite the many hurdles he had to overcome.
It shares McCarthy's ongoing fight against a devasting prostate cancer disease since 2018 and how his mindset has helped him through it. It examines how he achieved a hugely successfully business career despite his background and educational challenges, and ended up holding top executive positions in the banking, insurance, and financial services sectors with household names such as Ulster One Direct, An Post, BUPA Ireland and Hello.ie.
On the sporting front, McCarthy is known for being one of Ireland's greatest ever basketball players, who played during the golden era of Irish basketball in the 1980s, and his incredibly successful coaching in the 1990s, which resulted in his Hall of Fame induction in 2023 with Basketball Ireland. McCarthy recalls electrifying games, fierce rivalries, and the brotherhood of sport in a career that saw him play over 100 times for Ireland, along with captaining and later coaching the team as well.
But his story does not end when the final buzzer sounds - McCarthy reinvented himself as a beloved commentator, bringing his unique energy and signature catchphrases like 'boomshakalaka, 'downtown' and 'coast to coast' into living rooms across the country. His infectious enthusiasm has captivated global audiences, with the New York Times profiling him during the 2024 Paris Olympics, stating 'Every four years he gives Ireland a reason to watch basketball.'
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:178605308X
ISBN13:9781786053084
Release Date:November 2026
Publisher:Red Stripe Press
Length:260 Pages
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