In Sunshine or in Shadow: How Boxing Brought Hope in the Troubles

In Sunshine or in Shadow chronicles the rise of boxing in Northern Ireland during the height of the Troubles through the stories of fighters and coaches from both Catholic and Protestant communities. The book centers on Gerry Storey, a boxing trainer who ran the Holy Family Boxing Club in Belfast and trained fighters from both sides of the sectarian divide. McRae follows several key figures in Northern Irish boxing from the 1960s through the 1990s, including champion fighters Barry McGuigan and Hugh Russell. The narrative examines how these boxers and their mentors navigated the violent political landscape while maintaining connections across religious and territorial boundaries. The book draws from extensive interviews and research to reconstruct training sessions, matches, and daily life in Belfast's boxing clubs during some of the region's darkest years. It documents how fighters traveled between Protestant and Catholic neighborhoods when few others dared to cross these lines. Through the lens of boxing, McRae presents a story about how sport can transcend political and religious divisions to foster human connection and mutual respect. The book stands as both a sports chronicle and a testament to individuals who chose unity over division during a period of intense conflict.

Readers describe this book as both a boxing history and a portrait of Northern Ireland during the Troubles. The narrative focuses on how boxing brought Catholic and Protestant communities together during intense conflict. What readers liked: - Detailed research and interviews with key figures - Balance between boxing action and broader social context - Personal stories that illuminate the larger conflict - Clear explanations of complex political situations What readers disliked: - Some found the pacing slow in parts - A few readers wanted more focus on specific boxers - Occasional repetition of information Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (124 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (89 ratings) Sample review quotes: "McRae captures both the violence of the ring and the streets with equal power." - Goodreads reviewer "The human stories behind the headlines make this unforgettable." - Amazon reviewer "Shows how sport can bridge divides when politics fails." - Irish Times reader review

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🥊 Author Donald McRae has won the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award twice, making him one of only three writers to achieve this distinction. 🍀 The book's title comes from "Danny Boy," a ballad written by English lawyer Frederic Weatherly in 1910, which became an unofficial anthem of Northern Ireland. 🥊 Despite focusing on boxing during The Troubles, many of the fighters featured in the book—both Catholic and Protestant—became close friends outside the ring, defying sectarian divisions. 🏆 One of the book's central figures, Barry McGuigan, became known as "The Clones Cyclone" and united both communities during his fights, with fans singing "Leave Your Religion at the Door" at his matches. 🥊 The Holy Family Boxing Club in Belfast, featured prominently in the book, produced more British and Irish boxing champions during The Troubles than any other gym in Northern Ireland.