Zach Tuohy launches autobiography

He is arguably Laois’ greatest ever sportsman and last week in the Midland Park Hotel he launched the must have Christmas present for all sporting fans across the county.

A huge crowd gathered to welcome Zach Tuohy and sales of his books were flying. Former team-mates and mentors were among those present, as was Portlaoise GAA Chairman Eamon ‘Teddy’ Fennelly who spoke to emphasis what Tuohy means to the people of Portlaoise and Laois.

“This is an opportunity for us just to once again let Zach know what he has done for the people of Portaloise and Laois. As a club we cannot be prouder of the achievements of this man. He soldiered with the club all through his juvenile days then broke through at senior level, and what a great prospect, and won a number of championships.

When he got the call to go to Australisa, everybody was so eager to see he would get on. He took to it like a duck to water. It was unbelievable how he took to it. He excelled right from the start.

Watching from a far you could see the support base and fan base he had over in Australia. That was because of a mix of his skill and his resilience and all of that but also because of his personality and humour and character.

What a career he had over a long period of time. He became the most capped Irish AFL player, surpassing the great Jim Stynes, an absolute legend of AFL. Zach went onto win a Premiership, the second Irish person to win a Premiership.

I think a really proud day for Portlaoise Gaa people was when he won that and the pride he showed in his own place and his first thought was to wrap that white and green flag around him. I think everyone was just standing a little bit taller then. On behalf of the people of Portlaoise and Laois, Zach, you did the people of Portlaoise and Laois and Ireland so proud. The way you carried yourself, the career you had and the humility you have in how you did all of that. No airs or graces very laid back and an inspiration to older and younger people alike.

So, I suppose on behalf of everyone here, I’d just like to congratulate Zach on an amazing career, and I hope you sell loads of books here tonight Zach and I hope you have a great night. Well done on behalf of Portlaoise, Laois and Ireland.” Tuohy himself said:

“When it became time to write the book, I became quite hesitant as I think it’s carry on for those at the very highest level, which I really don't see myself as.

But what got me over the line with the writing of the book, was that someone said to me that it may be nice to write a book for your kids and they could have it as something as a manual going forward. Now, they have no interest in reading it right now. But the day might come and with that in mind, the book is quite revealing as I didn't want to shortchange them, I wouldn't have minded shortchanging all you.

But given as the book is directed largely at them, it was important I spoke honestly. For most part, the book was straight forward to write. It was nice to reminisce about my upbringing, it was nice to consider the early part of my career and talk about football again.

But there are chapters, one in particular in this book that no one was privy to before, including my wife. Who, I very sheepishly allowed my wife to read it about 6 weeks ago, just before the book was printed.

So, it was important to me that the book was revealing. I hope everyone enjoys it. Portaloise, Laois and Ireland feature really heavily and really prominently in the book, as it should, I don’t forget where my bread was buttered,” he said.