The 22-book longlist of entries for the 2017 Sports Book of the Year was announced today.
The award, sponsored by eir Sport, was first won in 2015 by former Dublin footballer John Leonard for his book "Dub Sub Confidential".
The prize was won last year by Kerry footballer Kieran Donaghy for his autobiography "What Do You Think of That?"
"Once again, the eir Sport Book of the Year has delivered a remarkably high standard of books competing for this year's award," Glen Killane, managing director of eir TV and Sport, said.
"This year sees the highest number of autobiographies we have had over the three years of the award, offering sports fans tremendous insight into some of our most revered Irish sporting heroes.
"Overall, the range of entries features a host of fascinating topics and subject matter with an outstanding level of writing evident across the board which make it a difficult task for our judging panel to select their shortlist and winner."
The winning author will receive a €1,500 cash prize, a specially commissioned trophy and €10,000 worth of TV advertising on eir Sport.
"Publishing Ireland is delighted to partner with eir Sport once again this year and together we're looking for the best sports book to win this award, which will hopefully go on to be one of the bestselling books of 2017," the President of Publishing Ireland Ronan Colgan said.
"We would like to wish all involved the very best of luck!"
The final shortlist will be announced at the end of November, with the awards event taking place in Dublin in early December.
Mark Duncan will head the eight-person judging panel, made up of sports' editors and senior journalists.
Nominees:
by Martin O' Duffy [The O'Brien Press]
by Sportsfile [The O'Brien Press]
by Anne Holland [The O'Brien Press]
by Conor Curran [Cork University Press]
by Shay Given [Trinity Mirror Sports Media]
by Jackie Tyrell with Christy O'Connor [Trinity Mirror Sports Media]
by John Scally [Black-and-White Publishing]
by Jason Sherlock with Damien Lawlor [Simon & Schuster]
by Kieran Fallon with Oliver Holt [Simon & Schuster]
by Eoin Hand with Jared Browne [Collins Press]
by Dónal McAnallen [Penguin Ireland]
by Vincent Hogan [Transworld Ireland]
by Tom English and Peter Burns [Polaris Publishing]
by Barry Ryan [Gill Books]
by Dave Hannigan [Gill Books]
by Philly McMahon with Niall Kelly [Gill Books]
by Rory O'Connor [Gill Books]
Sport by The42.ie [Journal Media]
by Daire Whelan [Mercier Press]
by Kevin O'Neill [Pitch Publishing]
by Thomas Myler [Pitch Publishing]
by Paul Byrnes [Lettertec]