Overview

Jackie McCarthy O'Brien has led a truly remarkable life, from being born in 1961 to an Irish mother and Jamaican father (whom she never met) in Birmingham to growing up in Limerick. She was put in an industrial school as a baby by a priest for being an ""illegitimate"" black child and not recovered by her mother until she was five. As a teen she excelled at sport and played for Ireland in soccer, but when she was sexually harrassed by a coach she changed to Irish rugby team. She got married at 21 before accepting her sexual feelings for women, and leaving the marriage with her three young children. Always a hilarious raconteur, this memoir tells her extraordinary story up until becoming a TikTok star and LGBTQ+ icon in her sixties.

Full Product Details

9781804441848

Table of Contents

Reviews

'Compelling, heartfelt and inspiring. I found this book so real. so honest. It has taught me about drive, ambition, persistence and love. And what it means to be really Irish! A triumphant story of achievement in a world made for men!' -- Katriona O'Sullivan * author of Poor * 'Jackie is a trailblazer, not only in sport, but in life, love, resilience, and the journey of finding her identity. As someone navigating multiple cultures being a woman of colour, her story hit home in powerful ways. I laughed, cried, and saw many parts of myself in her journey. This book is for everyone, but especially for those who have ever searched for where they truly belong' -- Marguerite Penrose * author of Yeah, But Where Are You Really From? * 'A story about identity, adversity and what it takes to be yourself when you stand out ... you will be recommending it to everyone, not just sports fans' -- Louise Lawless * Irish Independent *

'Jackie is a trailblazer, not only in sport, but in life, love, resilience, and the journey of finding her identity. As someone navigating multiple cultures being a woman of colour, her story hit home in powerful ways. I laughed, cried, and saw many parts of myself in her journey. This book is for everyone, but especially for those who have ever searched for where they truly belong' -- Marguerite Penrose * author of Yeah, But Where Are You Really From? *

'Compelling, heartfelt and inspiring. I found this book so real. so honest. It has taught me about drive, ambition, persistence and love. And what it means to be really Irish! A triumphant story of achievement in a world made for men!' -- Katriona O'Sullivan * author of Poor * 'Jackie is a trailblazer, not only in sport, but in life, love, resilience, and the journey of finding her identity. As someone navigating multiple cultures being a woman of colour, her story hit home in powerful ways. I laughed, cried, and saw many parts of myself in her journey. This book is for everyone, but especially for those who have ever searched for where they truly belong' -- Marguerite Penrose * author of Yeah, But Where Are You Really From? *

Author Information

Jacqueline ""Jackie"" McCarthy O'Brien is a former Irish International and rugby player. She played forward for Republic of Ireland women's national football team. McCarthy O'Brien represented Ireland 13 times each in soccer (1981-1993) and rugby (1994-1998). She was the country's first mixed-race player in both games. A vocal advocate against racism, in 2021, she appeared on the Claire Byrne show speaking on the subject. She is openly gay and participated in Limerick Pride events. Her daughter Sam McCarthy is also a football player.

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