About

Claire McDonagh grew up with a football in her hand and mud on her boots. A lifelong Gaelic footballer, she has spent years on pitches in Ireland and abroad, where sport wasn’t just a hobby – it was where confidence was built, friendships were made, and lessons were learned.

As a player and coach, Claire saw something again and again: kids who loved sport didn’t always love reading. Not because they couldn’t read – but because the stories didn’t feel like them. Too quiet. Too still. Too far removed from the pressure, excitement, and split-second decisions of a game.

So she decided to create something different.

Her book is interactive, choice-based stories where the reader is the player. Every decision matters. Every mistake is part of the journey. Just like real sport.

By blending Gaelic football, storytelling, and play, Claire’s goal is simple: to help sporty kids build confidence with reading – without taking them away from the pitch.