Charlie Gallagher biography to be launched tonight

A new book on Cavan football legend Charlie Gallagher, penned by The Anglo-Celt's Sports Editor Paul Fitzpatrick, will be launched tonight by former GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail.

The book, entitled 'Charlie: The Story of Charlie Gallagher, the GAA's Lost Icon', tells the story of Gallagher's childhood in Cootehill, how he broke on to the Cavan team aged 17 in 1955 and his ascent to stardom and national prominence, breaking scoring records along the way.

The late Charlie, who passed away aged 51 in July 1989, won four Ulster SFC medals, two as captain including the famous win over Down in 1969. When the ultimate prize of an All-Ireland SFC medal eluded him, Gallagher's legacy is secure. A winner of junior, intermediate and Senior Championship medals with Cootehill Celtic and a Sigerson Cup medal with UCD along with four Railway Cup medals, Charlie was chosen on the Cavan Team of the Millennium among other honours.

The book, published by Ballpoint Press, draws heavily on interviews and research about the Cavan team of the 1960s and also charts the charismatic Gallagher's struggles with alcoholism in later life. 

Paul Fitzpatrick previously wrote the acclaimed Fairytale In New York (2013) about Cavan's All-Ireland success in the Polo Grounds in 1947.

The launch throws in at 9pm tonight (Friday) in the Hotel Kilmore. There will be further launches in the Boar's Head, Capel St, Dublin on Thursday, September 26 at 9pm and in Cootehill Library on Tuesday, October 8 at 7.15pm.