“Pass Master” by Liam O’Brien, written with Jimmy Geoghegan, is a fast-moving read of Liam’s dedicated life as a professional player from 1986 to 1999. This 13-year period is the story’s core of a footballer coming of age in the beautiful and sometimes brutal game of soccer. The content is truly a clear insight into Liam’s determination and boyhood dream to play first team football and make a living out of it. And that’s exactly what he did. However there was that “what if?” question dangling over his departure from Manchester United. That “what if” scenario if he had stayed on at Old Trafford, would he have become a first-team mainstay?
A true understanding of who Liam was both as a person and player unfolds in this book, shedding light on his pathway to join Newcastle United where he arguably played his best football. While it was a defining moment for the Irish Red Devil to leave Manchester it was ultimately the player’s growth mindset that moved him on. That mindset is constantly depicted in “Pass Master.”
The opening chapters paint a bright picture of an independently driven youngster whose motivation never ceased. His Ringsend roots on South Lotts where he grew up are firmly planted in the book with key influences by his parents, family, coaches, and a sense of a vibrant neighborhood. These factors remain a constant foundation in the book’s narrative of success and grit.
“Growing up in a close, loving family environment was a massive positive. I’ll always associate Ringsend with a sense of togetherness,” O’Brien declared.
The teenaged O’Brien joined Bohemian Wanderers but transferred to Shamrock Rovers where his game improved, or rather it excelled. A trait of improving becomes a secondary theme that continuously develops in this book. Dazzling performances for Rovers caught the attention of none other than Republic of Ireland manager Big Jack Charlton. That certainly put wind in the sails, as did Ron Atkinson signing O’Brien for Manchester United in October 1986.
Another ongoing thread pulled through “Master Pass” is O’Brien’s goal to remain in Charlton’s Irish squad, and to answer the call to play for his country, with the hope of making it to the big tournaments — a goal he never gave up on. The book’s accounts of those international dreams are revealing, honest and at times heartbreaking.
“Pass Master” discloses the emotional feelings of Liam’s psychological conflict of negativity versus positivity, particularly when injuries occur. There was a lot at stake. The accuracy of specific dates and years are nailed down with some acute details of social and historical events in various places. There are also some very intriguing descriptions of personalities in the game, although it is not the author’s style to badmouth. We get to learn about just how fickle the game was, and still is, when one week you are on top of the world and the next week you are let go.
“I had come to appreciate how important football was to the people of Newcastle,” O’Brien said when departing from the Magpies. “Leaving Newcastle in 1994 was a real wrench, but I felt I had given it my best shot. I loved Newcastle, the people, the place, but knew in my heart and soul that it was time for me to move on.”
Sprinkled with colorful narratives of some funny and sometimes unfortunate incidents the book captures the imagination of glory, disappointment and humility.
What comes to mind with the title “Pass Master” is Liam O’Brien’s vision and he was certainly a master when it came to passing the ball. The title also invigorates thoughts of a once professional footballer, a man who never stopped mastering his trade as a player and coach from the early 1980s to 2017. “Pass Master” covers this story with a down-to-earth voice keeping it real and accessible for fans of all ages.
It is not an autobiography of “glitz and glamor” like some of the superstars who Liam rubbed shoulders with on and off the pitch. Rather it is an account from an honest family man who constantly enhanced his skills as well as his knowledge of the game. Evidence of such growth concluded in “Pass Master” with his continued success as a coach both in Ireland and Scotland. As for remaining with Manchester United? He regrets missing a penalty for Tranmere Rovers more than anything else.
“Pass Master” is a timeless tour de force on the demands of a professional footballer. It is a great holiday gift for the soccer enthusiasts.
The book is available from Pitch Publishing here, and or on Amazon here.
