One man’s lifetime journey through gaelic football and hurling, On the Shoulders of Giants brings readers face to face with many of the legendary characters in the GAA, most of whom have sadly passed many years ago.

Henry Wymbs was born and reared in Sligo, and spent his adult years in the UK where he worked in the police force and also for the BBC.
Away from his native land, his love of Ireland’s games grew and grew – and Wymbs sought out and spent massively valuable hours recording the thoughts and experiences of football and hurling heroes throughout the country.
On the Shoulders of Giants is a unique and important book.

Here readers get to know on a personal level so many of the GAA’s greatest footballers and hurlers from yesteryear, including… The Rackards and the Cuddys, two powerful hurling families from Wexford and Laois.

Also included is Jimmy Smyth of Clare and Jimmy Smyth of Armagh, two men with similar names who captivated hurling and football audiences in different decades. Kerry’s Mick O’Connell, the greatest midfielder in football history talks to Wymbs about his life and times, as does Kieran Carey, Tipperary’s powerful defender from the 60s.

Roscommon’s Jimmy Murray and Meath’s Paddy O’Brien are present, as are Packie McGarty (Leitrim), John McAndrew (Mayo), Dermot O’Brien (Louth), Jody O’Neill (Tyrone), Frankie Walsh (Waterford), Phil O’Reilly (Offaly), Sean Meade (Galway), PT Treacy (Fermanagh), Mickey Kearins (Sligo), Ray Carolan (Cavan), Colm Sheehan (Cork) and Pauric McShea (Donegal).