New Galway football manager Liam Sammon is willing to give up his football secrets to help a charity which looks after physically challenged children — including Donegal teenager Alan Doherty, who underwent a ground-breaking chin transplant operation in October.

Galway manager Liam Sammon pictured at the Clayton Hotel on Monday with ex Galway footballers Brian Geraghty and John Tobin for the launch of his new coaching book 'Optimising Performance in Gaelic Football'. All proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the Physically Challenged Youth Teams Charity. Photo: Declan Monaghan.

Liam Sammon will take charge of Galway in a national league match for the first time next Sunday against Laois, but his trade secrets were published in a new book launched on Monday evening. The sole beneficiary of the book will be the Physically Challenged Youth Teams' organisation, a charity which the retired PE teacher has supported for some time.

Sammon, who retired from his teaching position at St Mary's College in Galway city a year ago, won an All-Ireland medal with Galway in 1966 when they completed their famous three-in-a-row success. He spent about 18 months working on the coaching book but just as it neared completion he was appointed manager of the Galway football team.

In recent years, a lot of GAA bosses have written books after the step down as a county manager, but Galway city native Sammon is doing it the other way round.

"I was not too sure if it would be a good time to bring it out after I was appointed manager of the Galway team.

"The book is about optimising performance and there was a danger the whole thing could just get mixed up with my appointment as Galway manager.

"But then I was reminded who was going to benefit from the book and that removed any doubt. Of course the book had to come out," explained Sammon.

The book, which was launched by his former Galway colleague John Tobin in the Clayton Hotel on Monday night, concentrates on team preparation using new drill to train the principle components of the game.

"The book is about optimising performance and all the money raised will be going to the Physically Challenged Youth Teams' organisation, a wonderful charity which I am delighted to help," said Sammon. The book, which will retail at €15, will be on sale at Elverys' outlets throughout the country.

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