FORMER London footballer Cathal McCarron is to open up about how a gambling addiction almost derailed his life in a new book.
Irish Post contributor Christy O’Connor is ghost-writing the autobiography, which is titled Out of Control and will be released this October via publishing house Simon & Schuster.
McCarron, who was nominated for an All-Star for Tyrone last year, played for Round Towers during his short time in London and was a key player during the Exiles’ 2014 National League campaign.
The 28-year-old made national headlines that year after reports emerged of his appearance in an online gay pornography video, for which he received payment.
McCarron has never spoken openly about the ordeal that ensued, but Out of Control will reveal the extent of his gambling addiction, which led to many off-field troubles.
The book blurb states McCarron “hid a dark secret for years, a gambling addiction which almost destroyed him. While effectively on the run in London…his life had spiralled viciously out of control”.
Aside from documenting his personal problems, McCarron also recalls his time with London under the stewardship of Paul Coggins, but author Christy O’Connor insist this is a tale of recovery above all.
“I obviously knew about Cathal's story but I didn't know him,” O’Connor told The Irish Post.
“When he mentioned to Oisin McConville that he was thinking of doing a book, Oisin suggested calling me. The reason he wanted to write the book was to tell his own story because there are a thousand different perceptions and opinions out there about Cathal McCarron.
“He was in a really low place and he sunk into total depravity at times, but people need to understand that the guy was really sick. Addiction, and especially the addiction of being a compulsive gambler, is an illness that can just take over people and it completely grabbed a hold of his life.
“He is not proud of what he did but Cathal is completely honest in explaining why he sank as low as he did. It is a sports story with a difference because it is also a totally honest story about addiction, and dealing with addiction, which Cathal McCarron is doing every day of his life.”
McCarron is back with his hometown club Dromore and is in the form of his life for Tyrone, who are bidding to end a six-year wait for an Ulster Championship this summer.
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