Rala: My Life in Rugby

Irish rugby as you’ve never seen it before—from the man who got the job every rugby lover wants to have

Patrick ’Rala’ O’Reilly has been Bag Man to the Irish Rugby team for nearly twenty years. Loved and respected by players and coaches past and present, here Rala tells of his life in rugby—the highs and lows, the players, the pranks, and the great memories of Irish rugby. In this own imitable style and humor, Rala describes his early days as Bag Man for Terenure College RFC, supplying fruit for the squad from his wife’s parents’ fruit and veg shop on Meath Street, the lasting friendships he’s made throughout the years from Keith Wood to the "Claw" to Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Heaslip and many other players, coaches, managers, and backroom staff—Irish and international both. With humor and Dublin wit he describes his love for Inis Boffin, his wife Dixie, his gradual succession to Bag Man for the Irish Squad and being chosen to tour with the Lions in South Africa in 2009. From wine gums to spare shoes to the music the lads listen to in their iPods the night before matches, this is Irish rugby as you’ve never seen it before—and the story of how one man from Inchicore becomes the unsung hero of Irish rugby. From locker room antics to touring in South Africa with the Lions to Ireland’s historic Grand Slam title in 2009 to match choices, team players, and coaches, this is an inside story of rugby from the man who’s seen it all.